The Australian Women's Register

Summary

Ursula Pridham was the first woman winemaker in Australia in 1968. She was born Ursula Rauschl on 30 March 1935 in Germany and was educated in Germany and Austria in electrical engineering. She married Geoffrey Pridham in 1961.

She established the Marienberg Winery in 1966 in South Australia. Ursula gained national recognition for the quality of her wines long before McLaren Vale became a famous wine making area. Marienberg Wines was sold in 1991 but the current owners continue winemaking in the style that Ursula pioneered. The wines are known for the use of oak and delicate varietal styles. The wines have won many awards.

(Sources: Lofthouse, Andrea, Who’s Who of Australian Women, Methuen, Australia, 1982. Marienberg Wines)