Still House puts Adelaide on world map

Friday, 2 May 2003

The University of Adelaide will further enhance its reputation as one of the world's leading educational institutions in wine sciences thanks to a new state-of-the-art, half-million-dollar distillation facility at the university's Waite Campus.

The new Angove's Still House will be opened today (Friday, May 2) at the Hickinbotham Roseworthy Wine Science Laboratory.

It features glass pot and continuous stills for research and teaching, and an Italian-manufactured small production-scale copper pot still, with 400 litres capacity.

The facility is a major step forward for teaching and research into the production of spirits such as brandy, whiskey and rum, together with neutral spirits for fortified wine production, says Associate Professor Graham Jones, of the Wine and Horticulture discipline at the University of Adelaide and project manager for the Angove's Still House.

"The University of Adelaide is the only university in the world offering wine programs with facilities like this for the use of both students and staff," Dr Jones says.

"Our teaching and research into distilled beverages and fortified wines has taken place over many years, and these new facilities will ensure that our work is among the best in the world.

"It will also provide a focus for the presentation of advanced, intense short courses in distillation technologies and spirit production. A number of Australian and overseas distillers have already indicated support for the running of these courses in 2004."

The still house is named after a major South Australian success story, Angove's Pty Ltd, Australia's 10th largest wine company in branded wine sales.

"Angove's has provided generous support for the new facility, and the enthusiasm provided by Tom Angove (who graduated with the Roseworthy Diploma in Oenology in 1940) enabled the still house to become a reality," says Dr Jones.

"We are proud to be associated with this still house, as it represents an investment into the future of Australian winemaking and the education of Australian winemakers," says the Managing Director of Angove's, Mr John Angove.

"Our company has a proud tradition in producing quality spirits and wine that are recognised throughout the world. It is fitting that the Angove name should be attached to such a world-class facility in Australia."

The Angove's Still House will be opened by Mr Sam Tolley, Chief Executive of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation - 4pm Friday, May 2 at the Hickinbotham Roseworthy Wine Science Laboratory (2D Hartley Grove, Waite Campus, Urrbrae).

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