Lot 1223

Description

Agricultural College South Australia/ANGAS AWARD/1896 in gold (44.5mm;) 18ct 52.8 gms, by Brunkhorst Adelaide (edge hallmarked reverse inscribed 'won by/Leo Buring'. Hand crafted by the Adelaide jeweller by casting from an original medal by J. Moore of Birmingham. Rim nicks at 9 o'clock on the obverse otherwise nearly uncirculated and possibly unique, an important historical association item with the Australian Wine Industry.

Leo Buring was one of Australia's leading wine makers and holds a special place in the history of Australian viticulture. He was associated with many wines and wine companies including Minchinbury, Great Western, Seppelts and Lindemans, established his own winery 'Chateau Leonay' and introduced thousands of people to drinking wine via his Rinegolde and many other fine white table wines. Upon his death in 1961 Leo Buring Wines were taken over by Lindeman's Wines which is now owned by Southcorp Wines. The award is named after George Fife Angus who was responsible for the development of the Barossa Valley as Australia's earliest and now largest and most important wine area - consequently he is known as 'the Father of the Barossa Valley'. (Source Len Evans 'Australia and New Zealand Complete Book of Wine' Hamlyn 1973) Barossa Valley'. (Source Len Evans 'Australia and New Zealand Complete Book of Wine' Hamlyn 1973) The medal should have great appeal to the wine industry, the University of Adelaide and private collectors as it represents a rare and significant part of Australia's wine making history.