Height
3.5 meters
Year Built
2001
Address
Banna Avenue, Griffith, NSW 2680
The Lowdown
The Big Wine Cask in Griffith celebrates one of Australia's most democratic contributions to wine culture - the bag-in-box wine cask, invented in 1965. This enormous silver cask pays tribute to the innovation that made wine accessible to millions and became a fixture of Australian BBQs, parties, and budget-conscious households for decades. While wine snobs may scoff, the cask revolutionized wine drinking by keeping wine fresh for weeks after opening and making quality wine affordable for everyone. Griffith sits in the heart of Australia's largest wine grape producing region, and the Big Wine Cask celebrates the unpretentious approach to wine that has always been part of Australian culture.
Did you know?
"The Riverina region produces about 60% of NSW's wine grapes"
History
The Big Wine Cask was erected in 2001 to celebrate Griffith's wine industry and the Australian invention of cask wine. In 1965, Riverina winemaker Thomas Angove patented the bag-in-box wine cask, revolutionizing wine consumption. The 'goon bag' as it became known became a staple of Australian culture, particularly for backpackers and students who discovered that the empty bag could also be inflated as a pillow - true Australian ingenuity.
More Fun Facts
- •Cask wine was invented in Riverina by Thomas Angove in 1965
- •Australia still consumes more cask wine per capita than any other country
- •The empty bladder can be inflated as a 'goon pillow' - backpacker essential
- •Cask wine stays fresh for 4-6 weeks after opening
- •The Riverina region produces about 60% of NSW's wine grapes
Visiting Tips
- 💡Tour the Griffith wineries - quality has improved dramatically since the cask days
- 💡Griffith has excellent Italian restaurants thanks to its migrant heritage
- 💡Try modern Riverina wines - some excellent varietals at great prices
- 💡The Griffith Easter Festival showcases the region's food and wine
- 💡De Bortoli and McWilliam's offer excellent cellar door experiences
Opening Hours
The Big Wine Cask can be viewed at any time.
More Big Things Nearby
Big Golden Guitar
A 12-meter tall fibreglass guitar monument celebrating Tamworth's status as Australia's Country Music Capital, opened by Slim Dusty in 1988.
Big Mango
A 10-meter tall, 7-tonne fibreglass tribute to Bowen's mango industry, famously 'stolen' by Nando's in 2014 for a viral marketing campaign.
Big Orange
Australia's largest big fruit at 15 metres tall and 12 metres wide, a former cafe and viewing platform celebrating the Riverland's citrus industry.