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Vineyard Development - How
did we get here?
Herb and Jenny Gardner decided
to have a 'Tree Change' after 20 years of marriage and to venture
into a new business and lifestyle. In 2001 they purchased the land
which was Organically Certified with the use of chemicals
ceasing in 1996.
The soil structure and drainage
were extensively surveyed with detailed assessment by professional
staff. The vines were planted after cropping the area with lupins
to improve the organic matter in the soil and increase nitrogen
content.
The climate in Canowindra
provides hot summers and cool winters with rainfall quite evenly
distributed. During the growing season rainy days are less
frequent, allowing the growth of Mediterranean crops, (including
grapes) with reduced disease pressure.
With the rainfall of 580mm per
year, irrigation is primarily used in the establishment of young
vines and at the commencement of the growing period. As organic
growers, we are prepared to accept lower yields than conventional
growers, but we achieve those yields without the use of artificial
fertilizers. We demand the vine acquires its strength from the
soil. Every berry is more flavoursome and contains more of the
beneficial anti-oxidant components that reside in organic
wine.
Future
Directions;
Wine Making;
The emphasis on our wine making
is moving towards more 'No Added Preservative Wine' which will make
slow progress as we have some way to go with our Chardonnay in this
regard.
You should watch out for some
reduced alcohol wines which we hope to release before June 2008,
for consumer acceptance trials. Please send us an email if this is
an appealing idea to you.
Vineyard
Management;
All of our Shiraz and
Chardonnay is made from grapes grown on our farm while the Merlot
comes from a Certified Organic Vineyard nearby.
We are looking to broaden the
range of varieties we grow so as to be able to offer a great range
of wines. At the same time we are working to reduce our Chardonnay
area as it is very susceptible to disease and the new chosen
varieties will provide lower intervention needs.
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