Wine had been made in the local region as early as the 1860s, after James Manning planted a vineyard at Warragaburra near Bega.

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Taking a leaf out of Manning’s book, Wollongong wine maker (or vigneron) Matthew Henry Woollard moved to the area in the late 1870s to establish a winery. Purchasing land at Greenpoint on the southern side of Merimbula Lake in the area now known as Millingandi, he planted grape vines & began production at what he called his Green Point Vineyard. His wife joined him in the enterprise, and later by one of their sons, Thomas Herbert Woollard, also became involved.

 

In 1891, following the death of 64-year-old Matthew, Thomas took over the business. It is uncertain exactly when Woollard’s Green Point Winery ceased production, but “H. W. Woollard” was listed as a vigneron at Pambula in the 1903 & 1905 Sand’s Country Directories. Thomas Herbert Woollard died in 1953. The enterprise produced a range of wines including sherry, port & hermitage. Only a very small number of the paper wine labels survive today.

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© Angela George. All rights reserved.

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