1934 and beyond Tahbilk Proprietary Limited The period of 1890 to 1925 is best described as one of serious decline, particularly after 1905, with a convergence of internal and external forces contributing to a decline in Tahbilk’s fortunes. The vine louse, Phylloxera which had devastated the majority of Victorian vineyards – and those in France – was discovered on the Estate in 1900. The world was hit with the Great Depression and this, combined with the market for Tahbilk wines all but evaporating with beer being the preferred beverage with drinkers, plus the influence of the temperance movement, impacted significantly. These factors along with the death of the founder, John Pinney Bear, and the departure of Francois Coueslant, all contributed to Tahbilk being in a dilapidated state, which eventually led to the sale of the property. That sale, as we know, was in 1925 to my great grandfather Reginald Purbrick and then to the Purbrick family’s physical presence on the Estate that started with my grandfather Eric from 1931 and the final company name change to Tahbilk Proprietary Limited in 1934. The rest is yet another story for another day. Drawing from Fay Woodhouse, Vintage Stories A 150 Year History of Tahbilk, Tahbilk Pty Ltd, Tabilk, 2010. 05 CelebratingYears