Interview with Andrew Buller [sound recording] Interviewer: Rob Linn, Part 2 of 2

Andrew Buller was born in Corowa in NSW in 1957. His parents were Richard and Valerie Buller who were winemakers from Rutherglen. His grandfather was also a winemaker mainly with fortified wines. Rutherglen was a wine region from the 1860s and all the wine was exported mainly to England. The vineyards were decimated in the early 1900s by phylloxera and major replantings were initiated by the Victorian government. In World War II his grandfather enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Adelaide so his father studied at Roseworthy. Many Rutherglen boys attended local state schools, Scotch College in Melbourne and then Roseworthy. Andrew's early memories were of playing in the winery and the workmen. Talks about the seasonality of the work. After World War II the influx of Greeks and Italians transformed the Murrumbidgee into a haven of viticulture and orchards. Their restaurants in Melbourne created a market for table wine. His father was a wine judge and travelled to many country shows. At home they drink very little wine, only drink in moderation. As a child his father worked 5 and a half days and was very family oriented. The industry is now based on tourism and they work all hours, 7 days a week. Roseworthy was coeducational when Andrew was there, previously all boys. Bryce Rankine was Dean of School. Industry moving from fortified to table wines. Thirty students with a range of experience. He did practical experience in New Zealand at Corbans. He met a lot of Dalmatians and Yugoslavs. He was at Roseworthy 1978 until 1981. He went to Portugal 1981 to 1986 and France in 1986. Talks about the wines the family made in the 1950s. Biggest change he has seen is refrigeration, especially important for wine wine. Talks about the growth of the family business

Copies may be made for research and study. Publication only with written permission from the State Library.

To request approval, complete the Quote for Copy/Permission form.