the early history of lovedale

The history of how Lovedale got it's name began on the 18th July 1855. John Wright purchased 91 acres, from the crown, nearby what is now known as Capercaillie & Allandale Wineries. On the 26th January 1859 the property was sold to John O’ Neil & then sold on to James Love on the 18th December 1868. 

James Love’s son Paul sold the property to Reginald Bancroft  in 1923. A young Reginald Bancroft from the Yorkshiredales was travelling the world to seek his fortune, as one did back then. A bike accident and a failing wine industry resulted in Reg & Rupert Cousins purchasing the property together, which they then called 'Lovedale' after the Love family and the Yorkshire dales where Reg came from. The 263 acres consisted of the homestead and the winery. The winery held 80,000 gallons, & the wine was sold for four & three pence per gallon. Some wine was sold to America but prohibition in America had a bad economic effect on the Valley.   

The winery had a tall tower where the grapes were pulled up  & fed into the separators.  The tower blew off in a storm and landed upright. This was then used to house the pigs & Reg then proceeded to remove the vines. The oak casks were burnt & the wine released from the cellars. The cellars became stalls to house the milking cows & the milk supplied Cessnock with fresh milk, delivered by horse and cart. 
 
There are now more than 13 wineries, cellar-doors & grape-growers in the lovedale region. All are family-owned & operated & several are award winning.