The story of Visione begins with the Australian Merino sheep and its ability to grow the world's best Merino wool along with those who have developed and refined this remarkable animal and its fibre for more than 200 years - the Australian wool grower.
When the first Merino sheep arrived in Australia in 1788 with the first fleet no one could have predicted how well they would eventually adapt to Australia's conditions; its diverse vegetation and often harsh climate, and how quickly the world would soon know about Australian Merino.
Conditions for the Australian Merino vary from hot, dry pastoral lands, through to cool, wet highland regions and pasture can range from vast plains of tough 'Old Man' Saltbush to short, sparse stands of Australian native pastures. However, it is these conditions which seemingly give the Australian Merino its resilience and its ability to produce wool that can be used in all manner of clothing and uses.
When Captain John Macarthur exported the first allotment of fine, soft Australian Merino wool to be sold in England in the early 1800's it created an unprecedented level of interest and essentially heralded the start of the Australian Merino sheep industry. In less than 50 years of landing on the shores of Australia, the number of Merinos grew to nearly 2 million. Years later this number would eventually reach a record 180 million.
The modern Australian Merino looks nothing like its new world predecessors having been refined and improved for more than 200 years by skilful men and women who equally shared a passion for the quality and performance of the Merino fibre and who knew just how good Australian Merino really was to wear.
