[img]http://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/blacktown/fms//document-tree/Fact%20Sheets/jpg/minchinbury-winery.jpg[/img]
[b][u]History[/u][/b]
William Minchin was the Principal Superintendent of Police and Treasurer of the Police Fund in the colony. He was granted 1,000 acres of land in the area named after him and now known as Minchinbury. After the death of William in 1821, the property passed to his only daughter Maria Matilda. In 1838, Maria Matilda and her family were lost at sea, leaving no descendents of William Minchin alive.
Dr. Charles McKay purchased the property in 1859 and developed it into vineyards and cellars. Over the next 2 decades, Dr. McKay bought many neighbouring properties and in 1881, he put all of his land up for auction. At this time, the land did not sell and it wasn't until 1895 that James Angus bought all of McKay's properties.
Penfolds Pty. Ltd. purchased the winery and vineyards in 1912. Most of the existing buildings at the winery were probably added while under the ownership of Penfolds. In 1898, during Angus' winemaking years, the vineyards suffered a viral disease that destroyed the vines. New vines were planted and grew until 1962 when soil erosion made them useless. New vineyards were established on other properties around the area to supply the fruit for the winery.
Minchinbury Winery became famous for its champagne. Penfolds stopped operations at the winery in 1978.
Source: [url]http://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/our-city/history/the-landmarks/minchinbury-winery.cfm[/url]
Folklore: Apparently the Winery is haunted by Maria Matilda and her family who died at sea. Lets see if I catch anything [i]unusual[/i] on camera.
There's also a rumor that there's a cult set up there so I am going to bring an extra guy with me (Who happens to be a big muscular chap)
The reason for this rumor is that pentagrams and dead birds were found last time it was checked out.
Source: [url]http://theapparitionhill.com/?p=326[/url] (Last two paragraphs)
[editline]28th July 2011[/editline]
It does not say if anyone owns the property now so I assume it's not trespassing, unless the government owns it.
I'll go ahead and wish you good luck on this one, hope you find loadsa awesome stuff.
Go make some badass pictures
Just came up with a neat motto.
"In the dark of night the demons come out to play.
With your light growing weak, stay vigilant.
You are your saviour. Tred carefully, use the dark, as do the demons.
You are Hybred." (My nickname from now on when I urbex)
I will be leaving in 5 hours to pick up my friends then catch the bus to mounty station then to michinbury station, then to the local school. (The winery is somewhere near there)
I left to get my friends but they all got cold feet at the last minute. I went to another friend and he said no.
So I tried going by myself and I do not have $20 to pull out of my bank account for bus fees.
My mother won't take me because:
1. She's too busy.
2. It's dangerous alone.
I was so hyped about going to a new place and exploring; going on an adventure. And now my dream is crushed because friends couldn't keep their word, I didn't have the money and my mother doesn't believe I can handle myself.
Hi TheGronk,
Have you managed to go to Minchinbury Winery yet?
I am one of the founders of The Apparitionhill.
We haven't been able to manage the site. We've been investigating often, but we've still been investigating every now and then.
If you're interested to know more please contact us on [email]admin@theapparitionhill.com[/email]
Kind Regards
James
And now he's perma'd :(
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