# Claudio Alcorso

Claudio Alcorso (5 October 1913 – 28 August 2000) was an Italian-Australian entrepreneur, businessman, textile manufacturer, and arts patron. He was a co-founder of Silk & Textile Printers Pty Ltd, a catalyst for later independently launching Sheridan, a textiles brand specialising in home furnishings, and played a significant role in Australia’s textile and wine industries, establishing the Moorilla vinyard in 1958. Alcorso was also a strong advocate for the arts, workers' rights, and environmental conservation.

## Early life

Claudio Alcorso was born in Rome, Italy, in 1913. He studied at the University of Milan before moving to England, where he attended Oxford University. During World War II, as an Italian citizen in England, he was interned as an enemy alien and later sent to Australia, where he was placed in a prison camp in New South Wales.

## Business career
### Silk & Textile Printers and Sheridan

In 1939, Alcorso co-founded Silk & Textile Printers Pty Ltd in Sydney, alongside Orlando Alcorso and Paul Sonnino. The company initially operated in Rushcutters Bay, producing high-quality printed textiles.
After World War II, seeking expansion opportunities, Alcorso moved the business to Tasmania in 1947, encouraged by Robert Cosgrove's offer of cheap hydroelectric power. The company established a factory in Derwent Park, 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.
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.

### Wine industry

Following his departure from Sheridan, Alcorso turned his attention entirely to winemaking. The Moorilla vineyard at Berriedale, north of Hobart, was planted in 1958, and by 1973 it had developed into the Moorilla Estate, one of 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.
Alcorso led Moorilla Estate for more than thirty years, expanding its operations in 1993 with the acquisition of the St Matthias Vineyard near Launceston. However, the winery soon faced financial difficulties. In 1995, the business was purchased by David Walsh, 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).

## Arts and cultural contributions

He served as chairman of the Australian Opera and was actively involved in public art initiatives and cultural events.

## Environmental and social advocacy

Alcorso was an environmentalist and played a major role in opposing the Franklin Dam project in Tasmania during the 1980s. He believed in sustainable industry practices and was deeply committed to social justice and workers’ rights.

## Death and legacy

Claudio Alcorso died in 2000. His contributions to Australia’s textile industry, wine industry, and arts left a lasting legacy. His advocacy for workers' rights and environmental conservation remains an important part of Tasmanian worker history. Having aided the development of the Tasmanian Centre for the Arts at Sullivans Cove, a social space at The Hedberg, a University of Tasmania performing arts campus is named in his honor.