Our History
A Labour of Love
Pindarie History
The homestead block of the property was purchased from the crown in 1854 by Christian Schoff for a sum of £253. Later it was sold to Friedrich Ehregott Schwarz who was often quoted as saying “sheep have golden feet” and he developed the property significantly. During the 1890’s wool boom Friedrich built a large bluestone homestead.
In 1957 the property was purchased by Hector George Brooks (Tony’s Grandfather) who named it Pindarie, an Aboriginal word meaning “hilly place”. The Brooks family have a long tradition of land ownership and even a vineyard, 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… so the tradition of vineyards was put on hold for a few generations. 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. Tony Brooks is the sixth generation of Brooks in Australia, with the love of the land and outdoors well entrenched in his genes.
Read more about the Pindarie property here.
Tony & Wendy
Husband and wife, Tony Brooks and Wendy Allan are current custodians and proprietors of the Pindarie farm since Tony took over from his grandfather in 1990. Pindarie is located at the gateway to the Barossa Valley. Situated on 700 acres, Pindarie is a mix of sheep grazing amongst 120-year-old olive trees, thriving pastures, and sloping vineyards. What was once a run-down and over-cleared farm has become a sustainable property with Tony and Wendy planting over 15,000 trees in the last 30 years.
Tony’s passion for sustainable farming and historic building restoration, combined with Wendy’s decades of viticultural experience and pioneering determination to grow the varietals that best express her region has resulted in Pindarie not only becoming a place of extraordinary natural beauty but also a working museum of meticulously hand restored buildings and stunning vineyards of exceptional fruit.
In the spring of 2001 Wendy had the foresight and viticultural expertise to plant Tempranillo knowing the great potential this varietal had in the Barossa region. This progressive spirit has continued with Pindarie, since planting Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Fiano alongside the classic Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties.
Today the restored stables and grain store are home to our cellar door and restaurant where we welcome guests from around the world as one of the top visited cellar doors in the Barossa. Pindarie remains a family owned and operated farm and wine business with Wendy and Tony living on the property’s historic homestead where they raised their three children.
