Pine Mount Story

The family property Pine Mount was home to the Kindon family for more than forty years. Phyl and Tom Kindon moved there with their parents in 1927 after a prolonged drought forced them off their property at Condobolin. After years defined by bush fires and dust storms Pine Mount would be very different. A variety of soils and terrain allowed for a very successful mix of farming and grazing. The climate at Pine Mount was much more forgiving than at Condobolin and even in drought years a couple of springs proved to be completely reliable. One, in the Spring Paddock opposite the homestead, had what Tom believed to be “the best water in the world”. It fed a small dam that never dried. A cordial bottle with a cork in its neck was tucked into the reeds that bordered the dam and it was often filled when Tom was working in nearby paddocks.

Pine Mount was very self-sufficient. For most of his working life, Tom rose early to set the fire in the wood range in the kitchen before heading off to milk the cow. Phyl would later separate the cream and churn butter. Eggs were abundant and a small mob of cross-bred “killers” was kept to supply the family with meat. At two to three years, these sheep provided exceptional meat. Next to the homestead was an orchard with peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots and the shelves in Phyl’s pantry always had a good supply of preserved fruit. A breezeway divided the main house and connected to a wide verandah and during hot summer days, breakfast and lunch were usually eaten there. At the end of the verandah was an enormous fig tree that produced Tom’s favourite fruit. After lunch, he would often climb into the tree and perch happily eating a perfectly ripe fig.

The Kindon partnership was successful, happy and very productive. Pine Mount prospered – pasture was improved, windbreaks were planted, scrubby hillsides were cleared and dams were built. Relatives and friends were always welcome to stay and many thought of the property as their second home. Both Phyl and Tom were very active in the community, serving for many years with organizations like the CWA, the local bush fire brigade and on show committees. They also developed a close relationship with and a deep love for their land and the surrounding countryside. For them, Pine Mount was home, a way of life and a fulfilment of life. In retirement, both enjoyed being driven along the backroads near Pine Mount, noting small changes but chiefly remembering. The land had become part of them.

The label for Pinemount captures these personal relationships and the natural beauty of the land. The patchwork art of paddocks, fence lines and the shadows from trees that etch their own beauty onto the paddocks throughout the day combine to create an art form that is uniquely Australian. Pinemount wines also seek to capture the unique expression and terroir of specific vineyard sites along with building generosity and flair in the winemaking.