The vineyard area
is 30 hectares growing Shiraz, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and
Verdelho.The soil is deep well drained red
Cambrian earth. Geologists inform us the soil
is around 100 million years old.
The rainfall is predominantly in winter and
irrigation is used to reduce stress to the
vines in summer. Water is supplied from the
Goulburn- Murray Water system to a drip
irrigation system that delivers a controlled
amount of water to vines. Knowledge of ground
water technology and water holding capacity
of soils is employed to ensure irrigation is
restricted to assure premium quality fruit is
produced.
All rows have a north-south orientation using
a vertical shoot position trellis system. The
plant density is 1,666 vines per hectare. Mid
rows are sown every second year to cereal
crops adding green manure and organic matter
for a balanced soil structure.
A simple sulphur / copper program is used up to
flowering to provide adequate protection from
disease.
Vines are mechanically pre-pruned, then hand
pruned to 16 / two bud spurs per vine to
yield 5-7 tonne per hectare.
All fruit is mechanical harvested.
Average phenological dates
|
|
Shiraz
|
Cabernet
Sauvignon
|
Chardonnay
|
Merlot
|
|
Budburst
|
Sept
15
|
Sept
25
|
Sept
6
|
Sept
14
|
|
Flowering
|
Nov
20
|
Nov
28
|
Nov
12
|
Sept
12
|
|
Veraison
|
Jan
25
|
Jan
30
|
Jan
15
|
Sept
15
|
|
Harvest
|
March
15
|
March
30
|
March
1
|
March
5
|
|
