1976 Vintage Crush 29671 tonnes

Allocation was 17271 tonnes to Wine and 12400 tonnes to Spirit. Ratio 58.21%

Average Baume 12.34°

I spent some weeks at Berri trialing the Mauri Drainer which had a limited success on the Riverland grapes.

The new additions of the overhead Miller Drainers and the 1000 m.m. Coq Press worked very well and I can still recall the colour and palate of the 3rd section pressings from the COQ press. A brilliant green and the palate had a manageable astringency. These pressings would be excellent blending material.

Brian Barry resigned late in the year to join Stanley Wine Company at Clare.

1977 Vintage Crush 30105 tonnes

The MAC Press was sold to Clayfab Engineering. Tom Colbert had by this time started Clayfab Engineering on his father's block and used the hydraulics for tank rotators with fabrication of stainless steel wine tanks. The perforated stainless steel belt made many irrigation in-line filters for the local growers.

C. H. Lever retired in December and had commenced in 1939. Saw war service in RAAF as Pilot Officer.

B J Hill appointed as General Manager in September and confirmed at AGM 14th December 1977.

Ian McKenzie reported on the 14th December 1977 that the Wine Make was 2/3rd Table Wine to 1/3rd Fortified Wine.

1978 Vintage Crush 26777 tonnes

Jack had been through the ranks of Glossop High School, Roseworthy College Agricultural and Dairy Courses and during the next 24 years gained a wealth of both production and marketing experience in the Dairy Industry with the Bega and Norco Companies.

Berri Estates name as per recommendation of Jack Hill.

1979 Vintage Crush 24709 tonnes

1980 Vintage Crush 35187 tonnes

1981 Vintage Crush 36321 tonnes

B J Hill resigned after the 1981 vintage to move to Adelaide. Jack and Cynthia decided it would be best to move and to be in place for the tertiary education of their four children.

J S Pendrigh appointed as General Manager.

John brought a wide range of global commercial skills with him and took steps to further raise the profile of Berri Estates. From there the company amalgamated with Renmano Wines, to become Berri-Renmano Ltd and the third partner was the Angle Vale Winery and Consolidated Cooperative Winery Ltd was formed. CCW is still operating today with some 700 shareholders.

Ian McKenzie appointed Group Technical Manager of CCW.

The next step was for CCW was to form the BRLHardy Company which absorbed the Hardy enterprise. Need to find the date of the change.

1982 Vintage Crush

Mr. Alec Jones, a shareholder for 35 years, delivered the millionth tonne in his load of Gordo grapes on Wednesday March 10th at Crusher No.9. Celebrating with a Champers are below from left, Bill Harris - Chairman of the Board, Ian McKenzie - Group Technical Manager, Alec Jones - Shareholder, and John Pendrigh - General Manager.

Berri won its 1000th medal at the October Royal Adelaide Show with the Andy Ivanovic 1981 Selected Vineyard Rhine Riesling.

First show medal was in 1973!

1983 Vintage Crush