VINEYARDS
Our philosophy in the vineyard is simple, rather than pushing the vineyard to unsustainable yields, we are trying to achieve a natural balance. We do this by not spraying systemic fungicides, pesticides or herbicides, not fertilising with mineral fertilisers and reducing, in some cases, eliminating irrigation. Our vineyards generally achieve a balance within a couple of seasons, the vines and fruit are healthier, with much improved disease resistance, albeit with a reduced yield of flavoursome naturally farmed grapes.
TRAPPERS GULLY
We developed a taste for the Chenin from this vineyard before we were forced to farm the vineyard ourselves or face the vines being ripped out. This was our first foray into vineyard management as well as organic farming. That was in 2016 and we are still farming this little plot of Chenin along with Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc in the Western reaches of Mount Barker today.
Sub region - Mount Barker
Planted - 1996
Elevation - 200m
Soils - Granitic Sands over ironstone
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MILLINUP
A tiny one acre outcrop of Riesling atop of the Porongurup range. Planted by
hippies in the 1970s, we have had to bring it back to life after bushfire and grazing by feral sheep.
Sub region - Porongurup
Planted - 1977
Elevation - 350m
Soils - Granitic Gravel Loam
CRYSTAL BROOK
Planted by Plantagenet Wines in the late 80s on a well drained North facing slope
just south of Mount Barker. The vineyard recently changed hands and is now home
to a number of bovine, whom we try to keep well clear of the vines. Much of the vineyard has already made way for pasture, the remaining blocks are planted to Chardonnay along with three clones of Pinot Noir.
Sub region - Mount Barker
Planted - 1988
Elevation - 150m
Soils - Sandy Gravel Loam
TOOLBRUNUP
A little slice on the Northern slopes of Porongurup with epic views of the Stirling Ranges. Planted to Riesling, three clones of Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
Sub region - Porongurup
Planted - 2000
Elevation - 300m
Soils - Granitic Gravel Loam
POACHERS RIDGE
A vineyard planted to a number of varieties on the Narrikup Ridge, just south of Mount Barker. We are still in the early stages of understanding this vineyard having only taken the reins in 2022.
Sub region - Mount Barker
Planted - 1999
Elevation - 150m
Soils - Gravel Loam
ESTATE 807
This vineyard certainly gets that extra bit of attention, being much closer to home. We were told that growing grapes down this way wasn’t easy, with cool summers, humidity and constant threat of rain leading up to and during harvest. I’m not sure whether to put it down to good organic vineyard management or pot luck, but so far, so good. In the ground here we have three clones of Chardonnay, four clones of Pinot Noir as well as Sauvignon Blanc.
Sub region - Denmark
Planted - 2000
Elevation - 50m
Soils - Deep Karri Clay Loam