Frank Potts founded Bleasdale Vineyards in 1850, following his journey to South Australia with the first Govenor - Captain John Hindmarsh, on the H.M.S.Buffalo in 1836.
The Redgum Lever Press. The tradition and atmosphere found in the old cellars at Bleasdale are epitomised by the solid, hand-hewn timbers of the red gum lever press, built in 1892 and used until 1962. This press is a stronger and larger version of the original one built by Frank Potts in the 1870s but dismatled in 1915. Both were modelled on the smaller European screw presses with the design adapted to use smaller mechanical principles.
The massive press stands in the cellars at Bleasdale today along with the redgum vats and other early pioneering ingenuity - all of which pay testimony to Bleasdale's founder, Frank Potts.