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Updated 15 November 2009 2010 Vintage Robe's seven day weather forecast click here Robe's actual weather observations for November 2009 click hereclick here Robe's actual weather observations for March 2009 click here Robe's actual weather observations for March 2008 click here Robe's actual weather observations for April 2009 click here Robe's actual weather observations for April 2008 click here 15 November 2009 Guichen Bay Vineyards' 2007 Mount Benson Shiraz (rrp $20) gained a Silver Medal (17.0 points) and a place in the "Top 50" wines in the Visy 2009 Great Australian Shiraz Challenge. Only six wines in the Top 50 were priced at $20 or less. Twelve wines in the Silver Medal category were priced at $50 or more, including Penfolds RWT 2006 Barossa Shiraz (17.5 points) priced at rrp $169.99. 15 November 2009 Mount Benson has enjoyed an extended period of warm and sunny weather in November which has encouraged early flowering - flowering is likely to occur evenly throughout the Vineyards and be completed in a relatively short time which augers well for a good fruit set. 11 November 2009 The Wine Industry's peak bodies have issued a major new report to describe the industry's current difficulties and canvass solutions. The accompanying press release follows. Scroll down to read the Report in full. The Report includes the statement "From 23 November 2009, detailed and confidential supply data summaries will be provided to regional associations. These will examine each region in isolation and in relation to the national picture, with a focus on levels and patterns of viability". It is understood that Mount Benson Vignerons Association is scheduled to meet on 1 December 2009 to consider the Report and the data relating to Mount Benson Region. Press release- THE Australian wine industry has a surplus of 100 million cases a year, which is expected to double within two years. In a major new report, the four key industry organisations have called on growers to solve the sector's problems themselves, rather than think it can trade its way out or rely on government intervention. The Wine Restructuring Action Agenda has urged growers to cut production of grapes and wine by 20 per cent to solve the industry's over-production problems. The report says significant quantities of grapes are being grown at less than the cost of production in Australia's wine regions. "Structural surpluses of grapes and wine are now so large they are causing long-term damage to our industry by devaluing the Australian brand, entrenching discounting, undermining profitability, and hampering our ability to pursue the vision and activities set out in the Directions to 2025 industry strategy," the report said. The statement was released to the wine industry yesterday by the Winemakers Federation of Australia, Wine Grape Growers Australia, the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, and the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation. Wine Grape Growers Australia executive director Mark McKenzie said the important thing was the need to make it clear to the industry that a structural over-supply problem exists. Mr McKenzie said the industry needed to retire between 20,000ha and 40,000ha of grape vines from production in an effort to cut grape supply by between 250,000 tonnes and 500,000 tonnes annually. "We estimate 307,000 tonnes of grapes are being grown and sold for a price that does not meet the cost of production," he said. "We expect to lose between 6000 and 8000ha of grapevines in the next year but it won't be enough." Mr McKenzie said the strategy was aimed at hastening the process of growers leaving the industry. Regional presentations early next year are expected to highlight the varieties and regions which are experiencing the largest problems. The report said Australia is producing 20-40 million cases a year more than it is selling. This is roughly equivalent to total sales to our second largest export market, the UK. "Oversupply is unpicking our price structure, distorting perceptions about our product and exacerbating competitive pressures," it says. "Domestically, excess supplies have allowed supermarkets to move from customers to competitors by launching their own low-price products, without the need to invest in capital infrastructure or the long-term health of the industry. " This clutters the market place and eats into margins." Briefings will be held in 14 regional centres across Australia early next year to discuss regional data and issues, and offer business stress testing to assist with decision-making. The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Wine Grape Growers Australia will hold discussions with the Federal Government about improved exit packages for growers and small wineries seeking to leave the industry along the lines of drought and small block irrigator exit packages. The strategy also calls for a refocusing of effort on the emerging markets of Asia. A statement to the wine industry by the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia, Wine Grape Growers’ Australia, the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation and the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation released 10 November 2009: Recognising the problem It is widely acknowledged that the Australian wine industry is enduring its toughest period in two decades. All in the industry must recognise that this is our problem and we need to fix it. Structural surpluses of grapes and wine are now so large that they are causing long-term damage to our industry by devaluing the Australian brand, entrenching discounting, undermining profitability, and hampering our ability to pursue the vision and activities set out in the Directions to 2025 industry strategy. Coupled with inefficient and/or inappropriate vineyard and wine operations, oversupply is amplifying and exacerbating fundamental problems in the industry, notably our decreasing cost competitiveness. As such it is compromising our ability to adopt new pricing structures and market solutions and adapt to changing market conditions. Comprehensive analysis and consultation suggests at least 20% of bearing vines in Australia are surplus to requirements, with few long-term prospects. On cost of production alone, at least 17% of vineyard capacity is uneconomic. The problems are national – although some regions are more adversely affected – and are not restricted to specific varieties or price points. The industry must restructure both to reduce capacity and to change its product mix to focus on sales that earn viable margins. Bailouts are not an option and neither governments nor industry bodies should be expected to provide the answers; tough, informed decisions must be made by individual growers and wineries, from as early as the 2010 vintage. The supply dimension Australia is producing 20–40 million cases a year more than it is selling – roughly equivalent to total sales to our second largest export market, the UK. Our surplus already exceeds 100 million cases and at current rates of production and demand this will more than double in two years. Drought, water shortages and climate change will continue to affect production but the impact is indiscriminate and largely insignificant given the scale of the problem. Estimates are that these factors combined can provide no more than 10% of the necessary reduction in supply. The demand dimension Australia’s wine exports have fallen by 8 million cases and 21% in value since their peak in October 2007. The decline has been greatest for higher value exports, and where there has been growth at lower price points it frequently has been unprofitable and thus unsustainable. Over the same period domestic sales of Australian wine have fallen, while sales of imported wine have increased. The global financial crisis has not helped, but it is far from the only factor; a strong dollar and our industry’s cost competitiveness have been more significant. Better economic conditions will not automatically restore previous demand, and even if they do this would be insufficient to deal with our fundamental problem. Even an ambitious growth target of 4 million cases a year – equivalent to 6% annual value growth for the entire Australian category – would only eliminate 20% of oversupply. New market opportunities do exist, but they will take time and significant, sustained investment to unlock. Issues with competitiveness Oversupply is unpicking our price structure, distorting perceptions about our product and exacerbating competitive pressures. Globally we have been forced to trade in the low-value / low-margin market to sell excess wine, yet our costs are too high for us to be viable in that market in the long term – we cannot match the cost structures of some competitors (including a subsidised Europe) at very low price points. Just as damaging is the image being created that Australia is only a low-cost producer, making it difficult for our premium wines to gain recognition and market traction. Domestically, excess supplies have allowed supermarkets to move from customers to competitors by launching their own low-price products, without the need to invest in capital infrastructure or the long-term health of the industry. This clutters the market place and eats into margins. A range of factors suggests our long-term terms of trade will continue to weaken, putting the commodity market further out of reach. These include: • real increases in the price of water • the likelihood of exchange rates remaining unfavourable • increasing labour costs, linked to award modernisation • lack of international uniformity on carbon emissions trading, with the likelihood that Australia’s costs will rise relative to some commodity wine competitors • a reduction in winery throughputs – leading to increased fixed unit costs – as the industry rationalises to eliminate over capacity • increased costs of accessing and servicing capital. Research and innovation are essential but cannot provide the answer given the necessary timeframe and the scale of the problem. We need to restructure our industry to ensure we can compete as a premium wine producer. Issues with viability Australia has significant problems in terms of vineyard and winery viability. In particular, too many regions produce uneconomic fruit because of high-grade cost structures. High-grade cost structures have only one option and that is to produce high-grade fruit. This is highlighted in two studies of wine regions completed this year. Both have been independently corroborated by industry consultants. One study graded fruit from A to E then assessed viability in terms of whether vineyards exceed cost benchmarks for the relevant quality level. Its findings suggest that: • in more than 20 regions 50% or more of the production for C and D grade fruit (premium and popular premium) is uneconomic • in total, 36% of C grade fruit is uneconomic • three of our highest profile and most productive regions for A and B grade fruit (specialty and super premium) struggle to produce C and D fruit at a competitive cost, with 50–60% of that fruit considered uneconomic • 10 regions have 70% or more of production considered uneconomic – most are small, but three have total production of around 20,000 tonnes or more. The second study provides a regional breakdown which shows that significant quantities of grapes bring a realised price that is below the cost of production. Viability is a complex issue, given the patterns and history of vineyard and winery development, but it needs to be addressed decisively and immediately. Where costs of production are high, vineyards must be achieving A and B quality grapes. Some regions do this reasonably well, some poorly. Addressing the problem The primary focus must be on helping businesses and regions to strategically and honestly assess their current and likely future position then make appropriate decisions. In particular we need to address the options for vineyards and wineries that are underperforming. Some may need to leave the industry; others may need to change what they produce and how they do it. The Wine Restructuring Action Agenda include the following initiatives as an immediate response. • From 23 November 2009, detailed and confidential supply data summaries will be provided to regional associations. These will examine each region in isolation and in relation to the national picture, with a focus on levels and patterns of viability. • From 30 January 2010, a package of tools will be available to help individual vineyard operators assess their performance and viability. This will include: a checklist; an upgraded Deloitte Ready Reckoner to assess winery profitability by market, channel and price point; and an upgraded Vinebiz program to assess vineyard profitability. • From early next year, briefings will be held in 14 regional centres (covering all states) to discuss regional data and issues and offer business stress testing to assist with decision making. The Federal Government has been approached to help facilitate this initiative, and state input is being sought. • WFA and WGGA will hold discussions with the Federal Government about improved exit packages for growers and small wineries seeking to leave the industry along the lines of drought and small block irrigator exit packages. Discussions also will be held with state government agencies with regard to alternative land use options in wine regions. Alongside these specific initiatives, he peak industry bodies will: • Work with the Federal Government to address aspects of the WET rebate that artificially allow uneconomic businesses to stay in business and thus contribute to overproduction. • Seek changes to regulations covering MIS schemes to ensure potential investors receive a fair picture of the wine industry’s current position and cannot offset losses. The aim is to deter unwanted and unviable further vineyard expansion. • Work with regional associations on complementary issues related to demand and environmental sustainability. • R&D priorities have been refocused to support the restructuring agenda, with an additional $750,000 committed so far by the GWRDC to support a range of initiatives, including: • Substantial funding for research to support the Wine Australia market development strategy • China market competitor analysis • Further analysis reconciling supply and demand • The upgraded Deloitte Ready Reckoner and Vinebiz program. In addition, we will address our market development investment to: • Refocus on the emerging markets of Asia, where growing affluence and a shift in preference towards wine provide promising opportunities (eg North and South-East Asia, where Australia has a competitive advantage through geographic proximity and strong existing trade ties). • Provide additional support for educational, promotional and relationship activities in core growth channel opportunities, including China, the US (on and off-trade, >$10 a bottle), Quebec, Japan, UK (independent/specialist retail) and the Australian domestic market. Conclusion Oversupply is having a debilitating impact on Australian wine businesses and restructuring the supply base is both essential and inevitable. Our objectives in releasing this statement and formulating an action agenda are to advance the adjustment process, to bring about more sustainable operating conditions as soon as possible, and to dispel any notion that the industry can trade its way out of its current problem or rely on the government to step in. Look to the United Grower pages in the November/December issue of Australian Viticulture, and follow-up reports in December’s Grapegrower & Winemaker and the November/December issue of the Wine Industry Journal.
30 October 2009 We have come through the danger period for late spring frost with no frosts. The Community Corporations will hold their Annual General Meetings in Mount Benson Wine Centre on Sunday 8 November 2009. 21 October 2009 Spring in Mount Benson has been cool and wet up to date however the weather has improved. Warmer and sunny which is timely with fruit set coming up in November. 15 August 2009 Winter pruning has finished in the Vineyards - shown below is"arch cane" pruned sauvignon blanc. This variety is most fruitful towards the end of the canes so conventional spur pruning will limit the crop unduly. Sauvignon blanc is one variety that needs a higher crop load in cool climates to produce high quality fruit so this style of pruning is adopted notwithstanding it is very labour intensive and consequently expensive.
Spur pruning chardonnay with electric secateurs takes a lot of pain and rsi out of the process.
Below - spur pruned merlot in budburst. This variety along with shiraz and chardonnay have burst into bud in August helped along by a recent spell of mild weather. Cabernet and sauvignon blanc are the last varieties to come out.
Below - a neighbour's sheep provide an eco friendly means of keeping the mid row under control in winter.
A bluegum struck and killed by lightning during a winter storm. Last year half a dozen sauvignon blanc vines in one row near this tree were killed by lightning strike.
Weighted District Average prices for Mount Benson GI for the past three years are shown below. In 2009 Mount Benson's prices compared favourably with many other Regions and either increased compared to 2008 or declined by a much smaller margin than was expected in the face of the industry's substantial over supply of grapes in 2009.
11 August 2009 P&GI Board has published the Weighted District Average prices for the 2009 Vintage click here Mount Benson is included in the "Limestone Coast (Other)" statistical region. Its prices held up well compared to other cool climate Regions published so far such as Coonawarra, Padthaway and Adelaide Hills. Cabernet Sauvignon actually rose by $5 per tonne! Merlot declined by 9%, Shiraz declined by 6%, Chardonnay declined by 7% and Sauvignon Blanc declined by 16%. Bigger falls were expected. 5 August 2009 Our 2009 whites and 2007 are now released. See the "Our Wines" page for details. 17 July 2009 Our 2007 Reserve Shiraz achieved a silver medal and our 2007 Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot achieved bronze medals in several Wineshow results to hand. The shiraz and cabernet were bottled just before the samples were sent to the Shows so they were probably suffering from "bottle shock" and should score better results in Shows later in the year. The shiraz and cabernet will be released for sale next month. 20 June 2009 2009 Vintage crush: Winemakers Federation of Australia has announced that the 2009 vintage produced 1.71 million tonnes (1.83m in 2008). This was higher than earlier estimates, variously 1.4m to 1.6m and well in excess of the industry's current annual requirement of 1.6m. Shiraz was the most popular variety at 23.6% of the total crush and declined by 8%. Cabernet sauvignon and merlot both declined marginally. Chardonnay was second most popular variety at 23.4% of the total crush and declined by 11%. Sauvignon blanc increased by 3%. 19 June 2009 Today we tasted tank samples of the 2009 chardonnay and sauvignon blanc with winemaker Simon Greenleaf. Both have developed well and are excellent varietal examples of Mount Benson wines. They will be bottled in about three weeks. The chardonnay has prominent stone fruit and citrus flavours on the palate, has good acid and body. The sauvignon blanc - not a big nose at this stage but plenty of flavour particularly tropical fruit character. Less herbaceous character than the 2008. Crisp on the palate with good acid, body and finish. 3 June 2009 Winemaking - our 2007 Cabernet and Shiraz were bottled today at Torresan's winery in McLaren Vale. In May we tasted and blended barrel samples of our 2007 cabernet and several parcels of shiraz. These wines had matured in French oak for twenty four months. One parcel of Shiraz stood out. It is very similar to our gold medal winning 2006 Reserve Shiraz. and is judged to be good enough to release under our reserve label. 31 May 2009 Barrel pruning is underway in the Vineyards. This involves machine pruning of the bulk of the wood on the vines and is followed by hand cleanup. The prunings are mulched and swept up. The bud dissections and analysis referred to below have been completed and show that the vines generally have higher potential fruitfulness for the 2010 crop so a similar pruning regime to 2008 will be adopted in winter 2009.
19 May 2009 Prior to pruning beginning next month, canes of each variety have been sent to Adelaide for bud dissection and analysis to determine their likely fruitfulness for the next growing season. The buds which will appear in the Spring of 2009 to produce the next crop were laid down in the vine in Spring last year. Dissection of the canes reveals the number of buds and their distribution along the cane. This analysis informs the decisions to be made with the viticulture consultants' advice about the extent and style of the pruning of each variety to optimise the quantity and quality of the crop and is carried out each year. 18 May 2009 The Winemakers Federation chief, Stephen Strachan is calling for a reduction of 20% in grape production in 2010 to counter the glut of fruit...click here 2009 Vintage 22 April 2009 The 2009 harvest was completed today on "Wrights Bay Vineyards" and "Guichen Bay Vineyards" one day ahead of the forecast break in the weather. The next few days are forecast to be wet, windy and cold and the south east will then be into its usual winter weather pattern. WBV despatched 110.6 tonnes of merlot to Kingston Estate Wines and GBV despatched 50 tonnes of merlot to Poplars winery in Coonawarra. 17 April 2009 "Guichen Bay Vineyards" shiraz was harvested today, approximately 62 tonnes (10 tonnes per hectare). "Wrights Bay Vineyards" cabernet was harvested today, approximately 77 tonnes (8 tonnes per hectare).
WBV cabernet 3 April 2009 WBV shiraz 3 April 2009 GBV shiraz 3 April 2009 GBV merlot 3 April 2009 16 April 2009 "Wrights Bay Vineyards" shiraz was harvested on 15 & 16 April, 111 tonnes (8.8 tonnes per hectare). The fruit was sound and perfectly ripe at 14.0 baume. Cabernet will be picked tomorrow and the merlot is scheduled for Wednesday next week (22/4/09).
9 April 2009 Here is an ABC "Landline" program broadcast last weekend which is compulsory viewing for any one in the wine industry and is of special interest to our Owners as there is a lengthy segment on Kingston Estate's winery and interviews with Bill Moularadellis (Kingston Estate Wines CEO) and Brian Croser among others...click here 9 April 2009 "Vignerons feel the squeeze..." click here 9 April 2009 "Cheap wine leads growth" click here 9 April 2009 "Flood of water tradings helps growers" click here 9 April 2009 "Wine exports down..." click here 9 April 2009 "Ralph Fowler & Mount Benson" Daily Wine News click here 2 April 2009 On 1 & 2 April, 133 tonnes of chardonnay was harvested from "Wrights Bay Vineyards". The weather this week has been perfect for ripening the reds gradually in the ideal time frame. Baumes are around 13 and cabernet and shiraz should be ready to pick directly after Easter with merlot a week or two later.
"Wrights Bay Vineyards" chardonnay picked on 2 April 2009
40 tonnes of chardonnay leaving for the winery
19 March 2009 Latest forecast for the 2009 Australian crop based on the intake to date is for a reduction of 10 - 12% from last year ie approximately 1.6 million tonnes which is more in line with the wineries preferred intake than the pre vintage forecast of 2.0 million tonnes. 16 March 2009 The Vineyards had 20 ml of rain over the weekend on top of 17 ml after the sauvignon blanc was picked last Wednesday (11/3/09). As the fruit takes up the moisture that will slow the ripening process ( the baumes in today's samples actually went backwards) so there will be no chardonnay picked this week. "Water allocation to SA irrigators remains at 18%...." click here 11 March 2009 The sauvignon blanc came off "Wrights Bay Vineyards" this morning, approximately 88 tonnes. Chardonnay should be ready next week. 10 March 2009 "Lower dollar boosts wine exports" ABC News click here 6 March 2009 The 2009 harvest got underway last night with 74 tonnes of sauvignon blanc picked from "Guichen Bay Vineyards". All went well and the fruit is sound and the vines left in good condition after the harvesters went through. Yesterday the Kingston Estate Wines white winemaker, Brett Duffin inspected the sauvignon blanc and chardonnay on "Wrights Bay Vineyards" and scheduled the sauvignon blanc to be picked next Wednesday (11 March). Viticulture Consultant, Mary Retallack spent the day in the Vineyards to appraise the canopy of each variety in each Vineyard and took samples of the sauvignon blanc for laboratory analysis of its sensory attributes. Vineyard Manager Peter Wehl will despatch samples of the other varieties to the laboratory just prior to their harvesting when the time comes. Mary was impressed with the condition of the canopies as they came through the January heat wave very well and the fruit is sound. So far so good!! 3 March 2009 ABARE Forecasts released click here 13 February 2009 As harvest approaches samples of fruit are analysed in the Vineyards' laboratory equipment and measures of ripeness such as baume and acid levels are reported to the Wineries.
squeezing bunches of shiraz in 2008 Vintage
Sampling this week of the sauvignon blanc and chardonnay indicates that both varieties are two weeks behind where they were last year. It is likely that both varieties will be ready for picking during the first two weeks of March. At the end of February, Mary Retallack, our Scholefield Robinson HS Viticulture Consultant will visit the Vineyards to begin a preharvest appraisal of the canopies and take samples of the sauvignon blanc and chardonnay for analysis and appraisal in an independent laboratory. This will provide the Owners with a permanent record of the quality of the fruit prior to its despatch to the winery for processing.
Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay Veraison - the grapes are currently going through veraison as they ripen. 11 February 2009 Impact of heat damage on south eastern Australian crop click here 3 February 2009 Heatwave! In common with the rest of south eastern Australia the Vineyards experienced heatwave conditions last week. Fortunately it was short lived for us and only three days (27th ,28th & 29th January) were extreme ie 40 degrees plus, then the breeze changed to onshore from the south west and provided welcome relief. We experienced similar condtions for three days in January 2006 and at that time lost an estimated 5% of the fruit to sunburn and shrivel. On this occasion (January 2009) the conditions were judged to be worse and exacerbated by a very hot northerly wind. Fortunately the canopy this year was more substantial than usual due to heavy rain early in the month and the fruit had better protection. Also veraison in the reds is not as advanced as this time last year and the berries are harder and not as susceptible to heat damage. Peter Wehl believes only 3 to 5% of the fruit has been lost although there is a good deal of leaf burnoff which may mean the fruit will take a bit longer to ripen this year, other things being equal. In these circumstances it is fortuitous to have the Vineyard Manager living next door to the Vineyards as the irrigation pumps need to be working day and night to keep the water up to the vines. Even though they are controlled and monitored automatically by their equipment it is a comfort to know they are constantly monitored by a human to ensure that any malfunction in the pumps or bore (a sand collapse for example) can be attended to immediately. In conditions of extreme heat, a prolonged outage of the irrigation system could be fatal for the entire crop. 11 January 2009
at the Cape Jaffa fishing village. The weather was excellent (as always!!). 3 January 2009
13 December 2008 The Vineyards have had a good steady soaking rain of 60ml which is generally very welcome although the canopies will tend to explode with an excess of foliage and in fact may even need to be trimmed later to ensure the fruit is not excessively shaded. The irrigation pumps can be turned off until the end of December at least.- 11 December 2008 The late spring/early summer has been very cool and windy in Mount Benson and there has been some concern that fruit set may be adversely affected however Peter Wehl now believes the set has been OK. Sauvignon blanc is still going through it but the windbreak trees provided very effective protection from the cold winds and have helped to keep up the temperatures in the Vineyards. Although flowering during November was patchy and uneven there was enough warmth and sunshine to keep it all going and the outcome appears to be a reasonably good set of fruit in all varieties.
capfall
flowering 30 November 2008
2008 Mount Benson Sauvignon Blanc 3 stars (bronze) and described it as "Abundance of delicate floral/passionfruit aromas and elegant palate with a touch of grassiness."
9 November 2008
The meetings were chaired by Deane Nankivell, Secretary/Treasurer GBVCC and Roger Eberhard, President of WBVCC. Vineyard Manager Peter Wehl and Viticulture Consultant Mary Retallack presented their Reports on the 2008 Vintage to the Owners. Other reports included the outlook for 2009 Vintage.
An excellent banquet in Don Tan's "Dragon Village Restaurant" in Robe. An event held each year prior to the Community Corporations' Annual General Meetings.
Several low lying areas in "Wrights Bay Vineyards" have suffered fruit damage from late frosts in some previous years. Frost is rare on our western (seaward) side of the Woakwine Range due to our proximity to the sea and exposure to sea breezes however when conditions are particularly dry and conducive to frost and found to be quite effective. Apparently Coonawarra, Padthaway and Wrattonbully Regions suffered frost damage during October quite severe in parts.
Budburst 17 October 2008
judged last weekend in Bathurst NSW. Only 3 gold medals were awarded in the class of 68 entries.
30 September 2008
in its “Shiraz & Blends” Tasting for publication in September/October 2008. The Winestate judges described it as “Beautifully dense ruby red wine with intense aromas- smelling of plums, cloves, sweet mocha and nutmeg and leading on to a hot spicy nutmeg of a palate that has plenty of length and great structure”; 18 September 2008 Hail storm last week saw some minor damage to leaves but no shoot damage.
Vine after machine barrel pruning & before hand clean up. Spur pruning WBV shiraz.
Spur pruning shiraz with pneumatic secateurs. 31 August 2008 Several hundred metres of trenching was dug along "Wrights Bay Vineyards" tree lines, lined with black plastic and back filled as a trial to gauge the effectiveness and cost of using this method to control the roots encroaching on the near vine rows. The conclusion is that use of the plastic is not cost effective - in future the program will be to dig the trench to sever the roots and follow up annually with ripping along the trench line. This remedial action should increase the yield on up to three rows of vines along every tree line as the tree roots rob the vines of water and nutrient. 15 August 2008
and described it as “Deeply coloured; the bouquet has very good fruit concentration along with oak; full bodied and full flavoured with chewy tannins and lots of dark fruits on the finish”. 31 July 2008 Part of the winter scene in the Vineyards is the neighbour's sheep grazing in the mid rows as an eco friendly alternative to machine slashing.
15 July 2008
backed by fine tannins and good acidity. Excellent value” 15 June 2008 Pruning is well underway in the Vineyards - shown below is barrel pruning cabernet which is later cleaned up by hand
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