IDL

By 1861 Geelong was Victoria's largest wine region with 225ha under vine, rising to 400ha in '69 with 50 individual vineyards. By '75 it reached the peak of its success, its dream then soured by the arrival of phylloxera and the decision by the government to order the removal of all vines just as the cure (grafting onto American rootstocks) was proved. It took nigh-on 100 years for (grafted) vines to be planted again in the region by vet Daryl Sefton and relentless promoter wife Nini. By 1966 IDL (then Idyll Vineyard) was established with 20ha of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and gewürztraminer. The Seftons made and sold wines until their retirement in the '80s. This is the site of the vast winery owned by private investment group Costa Asset Management. The winery can process 15 000t of grapes each vintage and store over 21 million litres of wine in refrigerated stainless steel tanks. IDL also produce cider, ready-to-drink spirits and sparkling water. -JAMES HALLIDAY