# Claudio Alcorso

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Italian-Australian businessman and arts patron (1913-2000)

Claudio Alcorso Claudio Alcorso at Moorilla Estate, c. 1995. Born (1913-10-05)5 October 1913 Rome, Italy Died 28 August 2000(2000-08-28) (aged 87) Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Occupations Entrepreneur, businessman, textile manufacturer, winemaker Known for Founder of Sheridan and Moorilla Estate

**Claudio Alcorso** (5 October 1913 – 28 August 2000)[1] was an [Italian](/source/Italy)-[Australian](/source/Australia) entrepreneur, businessman, textile manufacturer, and arts patron. He co-founded Silk & Textile Printers Pty Ltd and later founded [Sheridan](/source/Sheridan_(brand)), a home furnishings brand that became a leading name in Australian textiles. In 1958, Alcorso established the [Moorilla vineyard](/source/Moorilla_Estate).

Alcorso also made significant contributions to Australian arts and culture, serving as the Foundation Chair of the [Australian Opera](/source/Australian_Opera), a board member of the [Australian Ballet](/source/Australian_Ballet), and a long-time member of the [Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust](/source/Australian_Elizabethan_Theatre_Trust) 's executive committee.[2] He was also a staunch advocate for [workers' rights](/source/Workers'_rights), [environmental conservation](/source/Nature_conservation), and the performing arts.

His autobiography, *The Wind You Say* (1993), reflects on the triumphs and challenges of his public and private life.[3]

## Early life

Claudio Alcorso was born in [Rome](/source/Rome), [Italy](/source/Italy), on 5 October 1913, the eldest son of Amilcare and Delia Coen. His younger brother, Orlando, was born in 1916. Alcorso studied [economics](/source/Economics) at the [University of Milan](/source/University_of_Milan), graduating in 1935. Holding a civil aviation pilot licence, he qualified as a fighter pilot later that year and undertook his national service in the [Royal Italian Air Force](/source/Royal_Italian_Air_Force). His brother, Orlando, did not complete high school but eventually became a navigator and later a pilot in the Italian Air Force.[4]

After his studies, Alcorso moved to [England](/source/England), where he attended [Oxford University](/source/University_of_Oxford). With the outbreak of [World War II](/source/World_War_II), as an Italian citizen in England, he was interned as an enemy alien and later deported to [Australia](/source/Australia), where he was placed in a prison camp in [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales).[2][4][5] He became an Australian citizen in October 1947.[6]

## Business career

### Silk & Textile Printers and Sheridan

Factory at Derwent Park, c. 1954

In 1939, Alcorso co-founded Silk & Textile Printers Pty Ltd in [Sydney](/source/Sydney), alongside Orlando Alcorso and Paul Sonnino. The company initially operated in [Rushcutters Bay](/source/Rushcutters_Bay%2C_New_South_Wales), producing high-quality printed textiles.[7]

After [World War II](/source/World_War_II), seeking expansion opportunities, Alcorso moved the business to [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania) in 1947, encouraged by [Robert Cosgrove](/source/Robert_Cosgrove)'s offer of cheap [hydroelectric power](/source/Hydroelectric_power). The company established a factory in [Derwent Park](/source/Derwent_Park%2C_Tasmania), [Hobart](/source/Hobart), which became a major textile manufacturing hub. It employed up to 1,400 workers and introduced progressive workplace policies, including worker representation in the boardroom, a 40-hour workweek, and a profit-sharing system.[5]

In 1967, Alcorso launched the *Sheridan* brand, which became a globally recognised name in luxury home textiles. He remained involved in the brand's design and innovation until 1970, when he sold the company to [Dunlop](/source/Dunlop_Australia).[8]

### Wine industry

Moorilla Estate vineyard in 2017

Following his departure from Sheridan, Alcorso turned his attention entirely to [winemaking](/source/Winemaking). The Moorilla vineyard at [Berriedale](/source/Berriedale%2C_Tasmania), north of Hobart, was planted in 1958, and by 1973 it had developed into the [Moorilla Estate](/source/Moorilla_Estate), one of [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania)'s first modern vineyards. His pioneering efforts helped lay the foundation for Tasmania's wine industry, which has since become world-renowned for its cool-climate wines.[9]

Alcorso led Moorilla Estate for more than thirty years, expanding its operations in 1993 with the acquisition of the St Matthias Vineyard near [Launceston](/source/Launceston%2C_Tasmania). However, the winery soon faced financial difficulties. In 1995, the business was purchased by [David Walsh](/source/David_Walsh_(art_collector)), an Australian entrepreneur, gambler, and art collector, who later transformed the Berriedale location into what would become MONA (the [Museum of Old and New Art](/source/Museum_of_Old_and_New_Art)).[10]

## Arts, advocacy, and legacy

Alcorso was actively involved in Australia's cultural and social landscape. He served as chairman of the [Australian Opera](/source/Opera_Australia) and contributed to public art initiatives and cultural events.[2][11] He also played a role in the development of the Tasmanian Centre for the Arts at [Sullivans Cove](/source/Sullivans_Cove), and a social space at [The Hedberg](/source/The_Hedberg), a [University of Tasmania](/source/University_of_Tasmania) performing arts campus, is named in his honour.[12]

Beyond the arts, Alcorso was an advocate for [workers' rights](/source/Workers'_rights) and [environmental conservation](/source/Environmental_protection). He was a vocal opponent of the [Franklin Dam](/source/Franklin_Dam) project in Tasmania during the 1980s and promoted sustainable industry practices.[2][13][14]

He was appointed a [Member of the Order of Australia](/source/Order_of_Australia) in the [1984 Queen's Birthday Honours](/source/1984_Queen's_Birthday_Honours_(Australia)) for his "services to the arts, education and to ethnic welfare".[15]

Alcorso died in Hobart on 28 August 2000.[16]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Centre for Australian Art](https://www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/artists/591/)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAndrighetti1999_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAndrighetti1999_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAndrighetti1999_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAndrighetti1999_2-3) [Andrighetti 1999](#CITEREFAndrighetti1999).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Inspiring story of Italian immigrant"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126985956). *[The Canberra Times](/source/The_Canberra_Times)*. Vol. 67, no. 21, 200. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 1 May 1993. p. 9 (SECTION 1). Retrieved 5 March 2025 – via National Library of Australia.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGentilli1989420–440_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGentilli1989420–440_4-1) [Gentilli 1989](#CITEREFGentilli1989), pp. 420–440.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UTAS_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UTAS_5-1) ["Claudio Alcorso"](https://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/A/Claudio%20Alcorso.htm). University of Tasmania. Retrieved 3 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Certificates of Naturalization"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232792752). *Commonwealth of Australia Gazette*. No. 233. Australia. 4 December 1947. p. 3545. Retrieved 25 April 2026 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ArtsTas_7-0)** ["Colour and Movement: The Life of Claudio Alcorso"](https://www.arts.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/403694/Colour_and_Movement,_The_Life_of_Claudio_Alcorso_-_Stephanie_Cahlan_-Web.pdf) (PDF). Arts Tasmania. Retrieved 3 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["A bit close to home: When modernism entered the material world"](https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/a-bit-close-to-home-when-modernism-entered-the-material-world-20160223-gn10wf.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Moorilla Estate"](https://www.moorilla.com.au/about/history/). Moorilla Estate. Retrieved 3 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MONA_10-0)** ["Moorilla – LEGEND"](https://legendaustralia.com/moorilla/). *LEGEND – Australian Wine Imports*. Retrieved 5 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["The Alcorso Story"](https://thequarryhouseluxuryretreat.com/the_alcorso_story.html). The Quarry House Luxury Retreat. Retrieved 3 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Cahalan, Stephenie (2019). *Colour and Movement - the life of Claudio Alcorso*. Forty South. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780648532828](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780648532828).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["More than Just a River: the Franklin blockade"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228659712). *[Tharunka](/source/Tharunka)*. Vol. 39, no. 8. New South Wales, Australia. 7 July 1993. p. 19. Retrieved 5 March 2025 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Loveday Lives: Claudio Alcorso"](https://lovedaylives.com/lives/claudio-alcorso/). Loveday Lives. Retrieved 3 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Mr Claudio Piperno ALCORSO"](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/869715). *Australian Honours Search Facility*. Retrieved 24 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Cahalan, Stephenie, ["Claudio Alcorso (1913–2000)"](https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/alcorso-claudio-35204), *Australian Dictionary of Biography*, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 24 April 2026

## Further reading

- Andrighetti, Jim (December 1999). ["Books from Behind Barbed Wire"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2990350034). *Biblionews and Australian Notes & Queries*. **24** (4). Sydney, NSW: Book Collectors' Society of Australia: v. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0157-3276](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0157-3276). Retrieved 19 March 2025 – via Trove.

- Cahalan, Stephenie (2019). *Colour and Movement - the life of Claudio Alcorso*. Forty South. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780648532828](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780648532828).

- Talia, Joseph. ["Papers Received: Claudio Alcorso: an Adventurer's Life"](https://www.iai.com.au/Papers%20Recieved.pdf) (PDF). *Italian Australian Institute*. [La Trobe University](/source/La_Trobe_University). p. 703. Retrieved 5 March 2025.

- Sernack-Chee Quee, Tracey (30 May 2020). ["Claudio Alcorso and Post-War Textile Culture in Australia"](https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/142333/5/02whole.pdf) (PDF). *[University of Technology Sydney](/source/University_of_Technology_Sydney)*. Retrieved 5 March 2025.

- Gentilli, Joseph (1989). ["Italian Jewish refugees in Australia"](https://collections.ajhs.com.au/Detail/objects/53096). *Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal*. **10** (5): 420–440. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0819-0615](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0819-0615). Retrieved 19 March 2025.

- Claudio Alcorso (1983), [*University Centenary Committee Oral History Project / Interview with Claudio Alcorso*](https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/252027632), retrieved 5 March 2025

- Roe, M (22 September 1983), [*Claudio Alcorso interviewed for the University of Tasmania Oral History Project 1978 - 1983*](https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/258425993), University of Tasmania, retrieved 5 March 2025

- Alcorso, Claudio (1989), ["Claudio Alcorso. -Interview-"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/39130969), *Little, Graham. Speaking for Myself* (1989): 255–266, retrieved 5 March 2025

- Alcorso, Claudio (1994), ["Interview Claudio Alcorso. -by Sharples, Liz-"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/39066240), *Siglo (Sandy Bay, Tas)* (2): 20–24, retrieved 5 March 2025

## External links

External videos Two YouTube videos Glimpses: Claudio Alcorso (1979) Entrepreneurial Migrants (1979)

- [Sheridan - Our Founder](https://www.sheridan.com.au/our-founder)

- [Moorilla Estate History](https://www.moorilla.com.au/about/history/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Claudio Alcorso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudio_Alcorso) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudio_Alcorso?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.