All Saints Winery

The Chinese history in the North East Victorian region is of huge significance. The Chinese came to find their fortune in the gold fields of Rutherglen, Chiltern and Beechworth and settled in the region. Many Chinese had been employed in the district in large gangs of twenty to forty men clearing the land at Barooga, Collendina, Coreen and Daysdale. When the gold mining eased George Sutherland Smith and John Banks engaged Chinese labour, housing them in huts on the property.

All Saints Estate’s Chinese Dormitory was built over 100 years ago and is the last remaining example of its type. Chinese labourers were hard-working and were employed as vineyard hands on the estate in the 1860’s and 1870’s. Considerable investment has been made in the dormitory to maintain its authenticity; it is one of the most significant buildings in the history of Victoria. Many of the wineries in the region were able to expand significantly due to the availability, tenacity and sober labour of the Chinese people.

The wage sheets for 1878 All Saints Estate vintage lists Charley Ah Lee,Ah Sung, Ah Tung, Ah Cue, Ah Poy, Ah Lock, Sam Seen, Chow ong, ah Hang, Tong Gey, Ah Son, Ah Sing, Ah Leay, Willy, Ah You, Ah Lung, Ah Wan, Ah Sing, Ah Cheque, Ah Puw, ah Puw, Ah Pu, Ah Chong, ah King, ah Quig, Ah Jack, Tin Tang, Ah Yent, and Ah Sue.

The Family

Eliza, Angela and Nicholas Brown own All Saints Estate and neighbouring St Leonards Vineyard in Wahgunyah. Eliza is the CEO with sister Angela as Online Communications Manager and brother Nicholas as Vineyard and Winery Manager.

Each brings a wealth of experience gained both in and outside the wine industry. Eliza’s expertise lies in business management, sales and marketing, while Angela's background includes brand development, graphic design and managing export markets. Nicholas is following his father’s passion for viticulture and winemaking.

Their father, Peter R Brown, who previously owned the property, passed away in November 2005. Peter was one of the original Brown Brothers at Milawa.

Eliza, Angela and Nicholas continue to play a role at Brown Brothers, with part ownership of the business, in addition to their independent ownership of All Saints Estate and St Leonards Vineyard.

The family’s vision for both properties is to continue growing, making and selling fine wine, and to make a mark on the future landscape of Australian winemaking domestically and overseas.

The All Saints Estate Castle Building

The total area of the castle is 4,500 square meters and houses the original cellar, winery, restaurant, two large event spaces and barrel halls.

The Tower and the Keep

Part of the distinguishing feature of the building is the beautiful imposing tower and underneath the tower the original winemakers office of George Sutherland Smith. From the top of the tower you can see a 360 degree view of the vast hectares of land and have a bird’s eye view of the beautiful gardens.

The office of the original winemaker still houses the original office desk with original stamp markings from financial work over the past 100 years.

Historic Barrels

Located in the large ‘Great Hall’ are the magnificent early 1900’s O’Sullivan barrels. This renowned cooper lived in Barnawartha and his barrels are located at many of the wineries in the North East, including ‘The Barn’ at Brown Brothers in Milawa. The barrels hold up to 5000 litres of Muscat and Muscadelle (Tokay) and have been part of the modified Solara system which makes the distinctive internationally recognised luscious wines of the Rutherglen region.

The Steam Engine

Over the past two years the large steam engine which originally supplied power to the winery and the rest of the property has been refurbished and can be seen on our weekend tours at 11am Saturday and Sunday. The steam boiler provided power before electricity was supplied in the 1937 and was also was used for pasteurising.

The Still Room

A still was acquired in December 1875 and distilling began in 1876. This still is housed in the ‘The Still Room’ which has a heavy metal door due to strict regulations during the day.

The Dungeon

The coolest area in the All Saints Estate winery, this dirt floored cellar was the original footprint for the All Saints Estate winery and houses some of the wineries finest table wines.

Indigo Cheese

The building was designed and constructed in 1968 by now eminent architect Phillip Cox using earth beams to insulate the cellar, with brick ventilation chimneys. The composite tension roof structure is used later in works of Philip Cox, including the national athletics stadium and the national indoor sports and training centre in the ACT.

This building was originally built to be a bottling hall with a cellar underneath when table wines gained popularity.

The Family Cellar

The exclusive ‘Family Cellar’ is located under the Indigo Cheese building it houses our finest Family Cellar range of wines in barrel. This fine space was created to give our guests and wine club members a space to be entertained in an intimate atmosphere. Non wine club members can book into the ‘Family Cellar’ for small fee for up to 8 people. We take you through a range of our fine wine based on your preferences and tailor the tasting to your knowledge.

All Saints Estate Surrounds

Gardens

The gardens were established in 1992 by Robert Doyle from Eltham in Victoria. Many of the original trees were used in the design.

The gardens are of an English style with many areas to relax and enjoy the surroundings, including ponds with resident ducks, a formal rose garden and lush green lawns.

The Elm Trees

Lining the impressive entrance to All Saints Estate is a majestic 300 metre avenue of English Elm trees (Ulmus Procera). Numbering 87, they were first planted around 1880 and are some of the oldest in Australia’s history.

There are 42 elms on the north side of the magnificent driveway and 45 on the south side of the driveway, seven metres apart and approximately 25 metres tall, the spread of the Elms are 15-18 metres. In Australia, there is evidence of elm leaf beetle which was discovered in Mornington Peninsula. Fortunately due to the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the trees we have seen no evidence of the pest. The elms have an annual maintenance schedule and are lovingly cared for to prolong their lifespan. 

The Homestead

The original private residence was also built in 1870-1875, and partially rebuilt in 1969. Minor alterations have been added and removed over the years. A ‘Victorian Regency’ style residence, a tower on top of the homestead, was removed in 1954 due to the infestation of white ants. The original staircase to the tower still remains. The original urns and veranda from the turn of the century are still in place.

The double flue from the original stove and bakers oven are also still in place.

The ‘Cool Store’

The ‘Cool Store’ was built by P.B Smith in 1897 with brick walls - as per the main cellars, high walls and reportedly insulated with seaweed in the roof. It was originally used as a spirits store but today houses many of the fine table wines produced at All Saints Estate.

The Stables

The stables originally housed the horses which worked on the vineyard. It still has the original feed troughs and flooring. The date of construction is thought to be around 1869/1870. The design looks like it had some Spanish influence. Over the years it was used as a blacksmiths workshop and cooperage. It now houses the staff room. 

Brick Kiln

There is little information known about the kiln. It is likely the kiln was abandoned rather than demolished, and it is in an area of the estate set aside for revegetation. It is not known when the kiln ceased operation, but it is likely it was used specifically for construction of the estate. It is likely that these bricks were made c. 1869 for use in the construction of the first buildings at All Saints Winery. 

All Saints Estate Historical Timeline