Cairn and Stone Pine Trees (4)
Description
Four mature Stone Pine Trees (Pinus Pinca) planted in a square within a reserve. A cairn has been constructed in the centre of the trees.
History
John Reynell arrived in South Australia in October 1838 and purchased section 524 in the Hundred of Noarlunga, in 1839.
He built a six or seven roomed stone and pise cottage with brick chimneys on the north bank of Panalatinga Creek. The cottage was damp in the winter and in 1843 John converted a gardener's cottage located south aross the creek into a permanent home. It is now part of the State Heritage Registered - Reynella Winery complex.
In 1839 John became a foundation member of what is now the Royal Agricultural and Horicultural Society.
John Reynell has been credited with planting the first commercial vineyard in South Australia in about 1839 here at Reynella although vines were planted at Marion at about the same time. Reynella Winery however, established by John Reynell, is the oldest established vineyard/winery group surviving in South Australia.
The Winery initially met with success and the first substantial vintage was produced in 1844. In 1854 however an economic slump in the colony forced Reynell to subdivide 40 acres of his land as the township of Reynella. He was subsequently instrumental in the development of the township. John Reynell died in 1873 but the Winery was passed on through generations of the Reynell family. On this site four stone pine trees were planted by John Reynell's son Walter Reynell (born 1846 died 1919), to mark the location of his father's first house. Nothing remains of the building.
A cairn was unveiled at the site in 1988 by Margaret Hopton nee Ward, great granddaughter of John Reynell. The wording on the plaque is as follows:- "Four stone pine trees were planted by Walter Reynell to mark this site upon which his father John Reynell built his first home in 1839. Directly across the creek from this site is Stony Hill the first commercial vineyard in South Australia planted by John Reynell in 1839 and now part of Hardy's Reynella Winery.
This plaque was unveiled by his Worship the Mayor of the City of Noarlunga. Mr R.G.Gilbert JP 20th November '88."
Photos courtesy of: Bruce Harry and Associates (2003).