Woodley House - Windback Wednesday

State Heritage-listed Woodley House in Glen Osmond was constructed circa 1842 for Osmond Gilles (1788-1866), South Australia’s first treasurer. Built of bluestone and red brick with elaborate gables, and a large verandah featuring decorative cast-iron lace, it was initially known as the Glen Osmond Villa. After Gilles death, the property was renamed ‘Woodley’ by his brother, whose first wife was Mary Woodley Horne.

In 1856 Gilles established a 20-acre vineyard on the property, planting mainly Shiraz, Malbec and Mataro grapes. These plantings later became part of Woodley Winery. Vigneron Horace Pridmore bought the property in 1905, extending the vineyard and building large cellars.

Pictured: Woodley House and its vineyards in 1904. Burnside Local History Collection.