About Mangoes

Mangoes have proven over time to be much more than basic fruit. The most consumed fresh fruit in the world, mangoes are a link to exotic, tropical places where the sun creates a pure magical delicacy.

The mango tree, Magifera Indica, was first recorded in Asia around 2000 BC with the mango considered native to southern Asia, especially Burma and eastern India. Around the 5th century B.C., Buddhist monks brought it to Malaysia.

The mango was spread to the middle east by Persian traders in ancient times, and from there was introduced into Africa in the 16th century and then to Brazil and the West Indies in the 1700’s aboard Portugese ships.

In the 1860’s, mango cultivars were introduced into Southern California and Florida where an imported grafted variety from India called “Mulgoa” (or Mulgoba) was used as the basis for the commencement of local commercial production.

The Australian Arrival Mangoes first reached Australian shores in the mid-1800s. They were brought by early settlers and traders who recognized that the tropical climate of Northern Australia mirrored the fruit's ancestral homes. While many varieties were trialed, the iconic Kensington Pride (the 'Bowen') became the backbone of the Australian industry after being discovered as a chance seedling in North Queensland in the late 1880s.

The Golden Drop Legacy: A National First While Australia grew to love the fresh fruit, it took a specific vision to see the mango’s potential beyond the crate. Golden Drop Mango Winery was born from this vision, establishing itself as the first mango winery in Australia.

Nestled in the lush tropics of Far North Queensland, the estate has recently expanded, now managing a vast plantation of over 20,000 trees. This isn't just an orchard; it is a specialized ecosystem where the intense tropical sun and rich Tablelands soil concentrate the fruit's natural sugars to a level perfect for the delicate fermentation process.

From Orchard to Glass By transitioning from traditional farming to specialized viticulture, Golden Drop turned a seasonal delicacy into a year-round artisanal experience. Today, the winery stands as a testament to FNQ's agricultural innovation—transforming the ancient Mangifera Indica into a world-class range of wines, spirits, and liqueurs that can only be produced in the unique, high-fidelity environment of the Mareeba district.