Winery Group (former Mortlock Mill) and trees
Description
A large complex of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, includes the old bluestone Mill buildings and chimney, a bluestone cottage and offices, a bluestone bond store, a brick circular water tank and many later industrial winery buildings. Two mature Moreton Bay fig trees (probably planted in the 1880's) still survive.
History
A flour mill was erected on the site in 1852-55 for Mr Charles Hewett, and was later named the Mortlock Mill. The Moreton Bay Fig trees were probably planted at this time. The stone Bond Store building was probably used as stables for the mill horses.
The mill was sold to the Tintara Vineyard Company, which was established in 1862 to produce wines. Thomas Hardy purchased the Tintara Vineyards Company in 1876 and over the ensuing decades bought additional land and buildings in the area, centred around the site. Hardy was one of the greatest figures in South Australian agricultural history and his work at McLaren Vale established the commercial success of the wine industry in the Southern Vales.
Photo(s) courtesy of:Bruce Harry and Associates (2007) and City of Onkaparinga Libraries