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 team, Tony Brooks and Wendy Allan, are the current custodians and proprietors of Pindarie Farm, having taken over from Tony’s grandfather in 1990. Nestled at the gateway to the Barossa Valley, Pindarie spans 800 acres and is home to a blend of sheep pastures, 120-year-old olive trees, and sloping vineyards.
What was once a run-down and over-cleared property has been transformed into a sustainable and thriving farm. Over the past 30 years, Tony and Wendy have planted more than 15,000 trees, revitalizing the land. Tony’s passion for sustainable farming and historic building restoration, paired with Wendy’s decades of viticultural experience and her commitment to cultivating grape varieties that best express the unique character of the Western Ridge, has shaped Pindarie into something truly special.
Today, Pindarie is not only a place of natural beauty but also a working farm with charming buildings. Its carefully restored historic buildings and stunning vineyards produce exceptional fruit. The beautifully renovated stables and grain store now serve as our welcoming cellar door, attracting guests from around the world and earning Pindarie recognition as one of the most visited cellar doors in the Barossa.
Pindarie remains a proudly family-owned and operated farm and wine business. Tony and Wendy continue to live on the property in its historic homestead, where they raised their three children.
