Cool climate, rich soil and thriving vines.

Geography

The vineyard has mainly north facing slopes and is high up on the western slopes of the Piccadilly Valley with an altitude of over 500 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest vineyards in the Adelaide Hills. The Adelaide Hills is highly regarded as one of the best regions in South Australia to grow cool climate varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. With more than half of the vineyard facing north, obtaining ripeness at harvest is more easily managed. These features set the vineyard apart as one of the premier vineyards in the Adelaide Hills. This high altitude also ensures the vineyard will receive plenty of rainfall with the average yearly rainfall reaching 1 meter.

In this time of climate change, cooler temperatures and higher than average rainfall are very handy attributes.

Our rich soil

The soil is a duplex soil type known as hard red duplex soils and these soils are probably the most important agricultural soils in the State. The subsurface soil consists of hard-setting loamy soil ranging from grey to brown to reddish brown. The boundary to the under-lying red-brown friable clay of the subsoil is usually abrupt. Previously known as red-brown earths, the hard red duplex soils are suitable for a wide range of cereal and horticultural crops. Surface soils are typically acid, but may be neutral to slightly alkaline. They are moderately permeable and have responded well to fertiliser applications. The thick clay loam topsoil reaches a depth of 40cm, over a non-restrictive clay subsoil. The potential root zone depth is 90cm. Permanent sward is encouraged to improve soil health and limit erosion from water run-off. The rich soils with a northerly aspect coupled with cooler temperatures and good rainfall all come together to produce a vineyard of exceptional potential. Careful management of the vines during the growing season results in fruit of exceptional quality.

Our vines

 

The older block is planted out to Chardonnay (Mendoza Clone) and Pinot Noir (D5V12 clone), while the newer block is planted out to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (I10V1 and G9V7) and Pinot Noir (114, 115, MV6 and an unknown clone affectionately termed DxVy). All vines are spur pruned with the exception of the Sauvignon Blanc which is cane pruned, due to the increased fruitfulness found further along the cane. All vines are employ vertical shoot positioning to optimise fruit quality.

Having such a diverse array of clones allows for increased complexity in the resultant wines.