The Big Wine Bottle
Height
Unknown
Year Built
1969
Address
Rutherglen, VIC 3685
The Lowdown
The Big Wine Bottle stands proudly in Rutherglen, the heart of one of Australia's oldest and most celebrated wine regions. Built in 1969, this oversized wine bottle has been welcoming visitors to the Rutherglen district for over five decades, marking it as one of Australia's earlier Big Things. Rutherglen is famous for its fortified wines, particularly the rich, sweet Muscats and Tokays (now called Topaque) that have won international acclaim. The Big Wine Bottle celebrates this viticultural heritage, which dates back to the 1850s when early settlers planted the first vines in the region's iron-rich red soils.
Did you know?
"Some Rutherglen wineries use solera systems with wine over 100 years old"
History
The Big Wine Bottle was erected in 1969, during the golden era of Australian Big Things, to celebrate Rutherglen's world-famous wine industry. Winemaking in Rutherglen began in the 1850s when immigrants planted vines in the rich red soil. By the late 1800s, Rutherglen wines were winning medals at international exhibitions in Paris and London. The phylloxera outbreak that devastated European vineyards actually boosted demand for Australian wine. Today, the region is particularly renowned for its fortified Muscats and Topaques, made using traditional solera methods that blend wines from different vintages.
More Fun Facts
- •Built in 1969, making it one of Australia's older Big Things
- •Rutherglen wines have been winning international medals since the 1870s
- •The region is famous for its Muscat and Topaque fortified wines
- •Some Rutherglen wineries use solera systems with wine over 100 years old
- •Rutherglen's first vines were planted in the 1850s
Visiting Tips
- 💡Visit the historic cellars at Chambers Rosewood, Stanton & Killeen, and Morris
- 💡The Rutherglen Winery Walkabout is held each Queen's Birthday long weekend
- 💡Try a Muscat tasting flight to experience different classification levels
- 💡Nearby Beechworth is a historic gold town worth exploring
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
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