Wilson joined many hopefuls and travelled to the Victorian goldfields in the late 1850s. To assist with his travelling he loaded his few personal requirements and wheel barrowed his way to the diggings. He had quite a deal of success but was unfortunately robbed of his gold before he was able to return to Penola. Undaunted, he stayed at the goldfield, was able to discover some more gold and return home in1861 with his wheel barrow after two years at the goldfields The wheel of this barrow is now a proud possession of the Penola Branch of the National Trust.

On returning home Wilson was able to purchase Lot 133 in Petticoat Lane where he established a very successful nursery and market garden which became quite well known, attracting attention not only in the Penola district but also throughout the South East of SA. As with much of the township of Penola, Wilison’s allotment was sited on the remarkable terra rossa soil.

One who noted the success of the fruit trees, vegetables and vines was John Riddoch owner of the large nearby sheep station Yallum Park. Riddoch, who had been very successful retailer on the goldfields, purchased Yallum in 1860. He was a very significant pioneer in many fields and became a member of the South Australia Parliament.

Family legend tells that after observing the success of William Wilson’s market garden and nursery, John Riddoch engaged the services of horticultural advisers to consider the possibility of establishing a fruit colony on an area of similar terra rossa on land that the Riddochs owned north of Penola. The advice received was very favorable. A suitable area was surveyed and allotments sold to buyers eager to join in the establishment of the Penola Fruit Colony, and by 1891 the Coonawarra Fruit Colony had 950 grape vines and  10,000 fruit trees. Riddoch had planted 128 acres of vines. Soon after the blocks of land had been purchased the name of the Fruit Colony was changed, for a complicated reason from the Penola Fruit Colony to the Coonawarra Fruit Colony.

Today the contribution of the role played by William Wilson in the establishment of the Coonawarra Fruit Colony is recognized in the awarding of the William Wilson Perpetual Trophy for Champion Tomato at the annual Coonawarra Tomato Competition. His name has also been recognized by the Redman & Balnaves wineries who have combined to produce the William Wilson wine (a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced by both companies).

Agnes and William Wilson have many descendants living  in the Penola district, several of whom are active in Coonawarra including the Redman, Brand and Balnaves families who are all keen gardeners. It was quite a thrill for Doug Balnaves to be announced as the winner of the William Wilson Perpetual Tropy for 2026.

The Penola/Coonawarra district owes much to the pioneering families of William Wilson and John Riddoch.  Find out more about our special William Wilson Shiraz Cabernet.