Historic grapevine badly damaged

Pic credit: Brad Galloway

A historic grapevine at Frascati House in New Norfolk’s Willow Court has been badly damaged, but cuttings taken from it years ago mean it can be replaced.

Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said backup vines grown from the original were thriving around the region.

“It’s a sad thing, but there is some good news,” she said.

“Years ago, someone tried to burn the same old vine and forward-thinking people took cuttings, and there’s now a healthy contingency population growing in several sites around our region.

“That means we’ve got backup vines grown from the original, and council will now work with the property owner and the people caring for those vines to help bring one back to Frascati.

“Big thanks to everyone who thought ahead and kept those vines growing, because their care means there’s a way forward, with council and community working together.”

The council was recently alerted to the damage, along with concerns that the council itself had caused it.

“I can confirm today that is not the case,” Mayor Dracoulis said.

“Frascati’s privately owned, and neither the owner nor council were responsible for any of the damage.”

She also reminded the public that entering the site without permission was not allowed.

“Please note that Frascati House is privately owned and entering the house site without the owner’s permission actually amounts to trespass,” she said.

Frascati House was built in 1834 for Colonial Secretary John Burnett, around the same time Governor Sir George Arthur built his weekend retreat, Turriff Lodge, at Tynwald Park.

Early settlers quickly found the Derwent Valley suited to more than produce and hops, and grape varieties were imported and planted locally and across the island.

The house takes its name from Frascati, a white wine region in Italy, which is also where the Willow Court vine is said to have come from.