History in the making

Northburn Station was originally an 'outstation' of Morven Hills, which was taken up by the McLean Family in the 1850's.

In 1910 the Middleton family purchased Northburn Station, which included Leaning Rock Station for £1000. In 1911 they then sold off what they called the 'Small Grazing Run' of Leaning Rock, a mere 4,500 hectares.

The Lake family purchased Northburn in 1973 and fully developed it with extensive 'over sowing' and topdressing as well as tracking and fencing. When Lake Dunstan was raised in the early 1990's, some of the productive river flats were lost.

The Pinckney family bought Northburn in 1993 and added Leaning Rock back to the property in 2001. Currently they run 10,000 Merino sheep and 120 cattle on the station.

Looking to the future

Tom and Jan Pinckney diversified from the traditional 12,000 hectare grazing operation by planting grapes in 1999, realising their first crop in 2001. On glorious, sheltered, north-west-facing slopes overlooking Lake Dunstan, they now have 17 hectares of Pinot Noir, four hectares of Riesling, one hectare of Pinot Gris and one hectare of Sauvignon Blanc.