Eden Valley History

George Fife Angas arranged immigration for some of the persecuted Lutherans to come to South Australia in 1838. The township of Eden Valley was opened up for settlement in the early 1850s.

Early industry was based on grazing of sheep and cattle with quite some cropping. By nature the early settlers were self-sufficient in almost every way - they had to be. The first flour mill build in 1866 at Eden Valley and the hotel the same year.

It would appear that the first vines were planted in 1850 or so, and by 1880 the industry was flourishing, which in turn saw a significant increase in the plantings in and around Eden Valley and Springton towns.

The "differences" in the grapes grown in the Eden Valley became well recognised and indeed they were sought after by the fine wine makers from that time on. In spite of the usual ups and downs of any agricultural industry, the vineyards of Eden Valley continue to produce some of Australia's finest wines, especially Riesling, Chardonnay and Shiraz.

The advent of drip irrigation, mechanical harvesting and better vineyard equipment has brought better grapes and consequently better wines still.

The success of Eden Valley Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot and Viognier is very well known, with some 56 or so wineries selling commercially branded Eden Valley wines.

In addition to the larger ventures there is now quite a number of grower-vintners who sell wines made from their own fruit grown in Eden Valley. This is quite exciting as the interest generated from both sources can only be good for the future of Eden Valley.

For more information on the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, see the Barossa Tourism website. For accommodation information, please see Book in Now.