Interview with Donald Ross McWilliam [transcript] Interviewer: Rob Linn

Don McWilliam was born in Sydney on 5 June 1934. His parents were Keith and Ruby nee Links. The family has been in the wine industry for 125 years. Don went to Sydney Grammar School. The wine distribution was controlled by the breweries when he joined the family company in 1951. His father and three brothers own the company which is now four family companies. He talks about Maurice O'Shea; in the 1950s and 60s he worked in all aspects of the industry at the family vineyards, wineries and cellars. He worked 14 hour days because fo the distribution system and always did the night shift. He talks about the introduction of Rhine Riesling and Cabernet. He only went to Griffith for the vintage. Wet weather caused the loss of crops in the early 1950s. He and Karl Seppelt were elected to the Australian Wine Board in 1975 and lobbied for no increase in levies. They were instrumental in getting more funding for the Australian Wine Research Institute. Wine production increased in the 1960s in part due to immigration from Mediterranean countries. When they started in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area each family was restricted to 50 acres. Table wine was the only growth area and most of their wine was in the Hunter and Griffith areas. Talks about the interaction with Government and the loss of deferred tax under Whitlam; section 31 A and subsidisation of overseas wine and brandy; being a key player in getting the tax on wine removed; distribution of wine through wine bars and grocers and then restaurants, and the future of the industry

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