North side of homestead and original plantings of bush vines in 1925.

The homestead in the early 1900’s

The Homestead today where Tony and Wendy reside.

Farming in the early 1900's

History

The homestead block of the property was purchased from the crown in 1854 by Christen Schoff for a sum of £253. Later it was sold to Friedrich Ehregott Schwarz who developed it significantly. During the 1890’s wool boom Friedrich built a large bluestone homestead. He was often quoted as saying “sheep have golden feet”.

In 1957 the property was purchased by Hector George Brooks who named it Pindarie, an aboriginal word meaning “hilly place”. The Brooks family have a long tradition of land ownership beginning with Joseph Brooks who came to South Australia from Worcestershire England on the ship “Eden” in 1838. Joseph purchased land at Hoyleton and planted 5000 vines, but a dry winter resulted in only two plants surviving. His son George and grandson Edmund were more successful and built up an empire of properties in South Australia and Western Australia including Buckland Park and Clifton Hills. Today Tony Brooks (sixth generation of Brooks), runs Pindarie with his wife Wendy and father Hector.