Johann Gramp facts for kids

Johann Gramp (born August 28, 1819 – died August 9, 1903) was an important person in Australian history. He was born in Bavaria, which is a part of Germany. Johann became a winemaker, a local politician, and a citrus fruit grower in Australia. He is most famous for starting Orlando Wines in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.

Who Was Johann Gramp?

His Early Life

Johann Gramp was born on August 28, 1819, in a place called Eichigt in Bavaria. His father owned land there. When Johann was 18 years old, in 1837, he decided to leave his home. He sailed from Hamburg, Germany, to start a new life in Australia.

His journey across the sea was very long, taking four months. He sailed on a ship called the 'Solway'. The ship traveled past Rio de Janeiro in South America and around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. Johann finally arrived in Australia on October 16, 1837, landing at Kingscote on Kangaroo Island.

Starting a New Life in Australia

From Worker to Farmer

When Johann first arrived in Australia, he worked for a company called the South Australian Company. He worked on Kangaroo Island from 1837 to 1839. Then, he moved to Port Adelaide, which is a suburb of Adelaide, and continued working for the same company until 1840. After that, he worked in a bakery in Adelaide for a short time.

Johann soon decided to become a farmer. He started his new life farming in a place called Yatala. In 1847, he moved to the beautiful Barossa Valley in rural South Australia. He settled near a creek called Jacob's Creek.

Founding a Famous Winery

In the same year he moved to the Barossa Valley, 1847, Johann Gramp planted his very first grapevines. He worked hard, and three years later, in 1850, he made his first wine. It was a small amount, about one-eighth of a barrel, and was a type of white wine called a hock. This wine later became known as Carte Blanche.

As his wine business grew, he bought more land to plant even more grapevines. He also built a special cellar on his property. A cellar is a cool, dark place where wine is stored to age and get better. This was the beginning of what would become Orlando Wines.

A Community Leader

Johann Gramp lived in the Barossa Valley for ten years before he became involved in local government. In the 1860s, he was chosen to be a member of the Barossa East District Council. This council helped make decisions for the local community. He even became the Chairman of the council, which is like being the leader.

While he was on the council, Johann was a strong supporter of building a state school in Rowland Flat. He wanted to make sure that the children in the area had a good place to learn. In 1872, Johann Gramp officially became an Australian citizen. Later in his life, he also grew citrus fruits in the Barossa Valley, showing his skills as a diverse farmer.

Family and Later Years

Johann Gramp married Eleonora Nitzschke. They had a large family with three sons and three daughters. Johann was a member of the Lutheran church.

His Lasting Impact

Johann Gramp passed away on August 9, 1903, at his home in the Barossa Valley. After his death, his son, Gustav Gramp, took over the family vineyard. Later, in 1920, Johann's grandson, Hugo Gramp, became the owner. Sadly, Hugo died in a plane crash in 1938.

The Gramp family continued to own the winery until the 1970s. Then, it was bought by other companies, eventually becoming part of Pernod Ricard, a large international company. Johann Gramp's hard work and vision are still remembered today, as Orlando Wines remains a well-known name in the Australian wine industry.