Site 11: Weikert Cottage and Dairy
Weikert Cottage is one of the earliest landmarks on the Sevenhill property. This was the home of Franz Weikert, his wife Fransiska, and their eight children. As part of the first group of migrants to arrive on the Alfred in 1848, the Weikert family played a crucial role in the establishment of the Jesuit colony north of Adelaide.
Please take a moment to explore the cottage and read the storyboards that detail the history of the people who stayed here, including Saint Mary MacKillop, who visited after her brother Donald studied with the Jesuit Fathers at Sevenhill College. In 1983, the cottage was almost destroyed by the Ash Wednesday bushfires, which devastated much of the region. You will find photos and paintings below that show the cottage before and after the destruction. Significant restoration work has been carried out over the past decade to preserve the site.
Efforts have been made to keep the original structure, and the flooring is uneven in places. As you walk through the rooms, please be mindful of your step.
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Watch the Video
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Fun Fact
The block of vines you see next to the cottage is called the Weikert Riesling. The trees, hedges and fall of the land ensure that this is a well-protected vineyard. Fruit from this is used in our two single vineyard Rieslings – the 27 Miles and the St Francis Xavier.
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For Kids
Our 27 Miles Riesling gets its name from the distance the early Jesuits walked from Sevenhill to Burra to sell butter and other goods at market. To ensure the food wouldn’t spoil by time they arrived, they often walked overnight in the cooler temperatures!
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Directions
To go to site 12: Marian Shrine, follow the winding path from the entry to the Weikert Cottage, moving uphill. The shrine will appear to your right as you crest the hill.
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