The Barossa Mag Spring 2018 | Page 24

THE GRAIN ROOM
THE STABLES WINE ROOM
24 | THE BAROSSA MAG // HISTORY

A Barossa package

WORDS BY LUKE ROTHE
Spring signals the start of warmer weather and thoughts of spring cleaning. But be careful what you throw out!
Vintage paper and cardboard packaging can disintegrate easily under poor storage conditions. By chance some items have survived, making them a fascinating collectable.
In the early 1900s Greenock’ s general storekeeper, Mr. R Tummel, was packing coffee in paper bags.
An empty bag still survives over 100 years later.
In fact, most old packaging has only survived because it intended to be reused.
I once bought a bag of old hair rollers at an auction, only because I wanted the bag they were in.
It was a plastic carrot bag with brilliant graphics of a‘ dancing carrot’, packed by Clem Hoffmann of Nuriootpa in the 1960s- the days when the Barossa still had some large market gardens.
Numerous local winery cardboard boxes can still be found at clearing and garage sales.
They were reused to hold a multitude of objects in cellars, lofts and sheds.
These boxes now tell a story of the Barossa’ s past wine products – Kaiser Stuhl‘ Cold Duck’, Orlando Brandy, Yalumba‘ Four Crown’ and Seppelt’ s vinegar.
Surviving packaging shows us that Seppelt’ s winery also ventured into mixed peel production, located on Railway Terrace at Nuriootpa.
Also, Tanunda had two egg noodle manufacturers, Heim and Weich.
1950’ s packaging from both companies is partly in German, attesting to the owner’ s origins.
Paper bags exist from numerous Barossa stores with names such as Schrapel, Sheard, Hasting and Weckert.
A paper wrapper that went around a pound of butter advertises
‘ Kretschmer’ s Serv-wel Stores’ in Angaston, which ran from 1939 to 1961.
The building recently became part of the Angaston Hotel re-development.
Cereal boxes found locally dating from the 1940s – 1970s have eye catching colourful graphics. The boxes often promoted a plastic toy or swap card inside. The 1960s and 70s were the golden age of plastic cereal toys.
Old packaging can be more than just a box or bag – it’ s a snapshot of the past.
Vintage cardboard and paper can evoke memories and it adds another dimension to our local heritage.
THE GRAIN ROOM
A place to relax where we farm it, grow it and make it.
• Homemade Gourmet pies, local produce platters, barista coffee, local craft Beer and more.
“ Charming, rustic and down to earth”
• Cellar Door tastings
• Seasonal Lunches
THE STABLES WINE ROOM
Come and discover Pindarie’ s Estate wine room housed inside the restored historic Stables.
• Estate Wine Tasting
• Barista Coffee
• Spectacular Views
946 Rosedale Road, Barossa Valley | Phone: 08 8524 9019 | Open 7 days | www. pindarie. com. au