The Vineyard
Limestone, wind and forty-two hectares of patience
Our wines taste of this hill because we let it speak. Here is the ground they grow in, the year they live through and the hands that look after them.
// Terroir
A hill that keeps its roots cool
The slope faces south and south east, between 280 and 410 metres. Under a thin layer of red clay lies broken limestone, which drains quickly and forces the roots to go deep for water. Afternoon winds from the valley keep the canopy dry and the nights cool.
280 to 410 m
Elevation across four main blocks
Clay over limestone
Thin topsoil, deep chalky subsoil
Valley breeze
Cool nights, dry afternoons
South facing
Long, gentle ripening season
// Four blocks
Each corner of the hill makes a different wine
We farm and pick each block on its own and keep the wines separate in the cellar until we decide on the final blends.
Block 01
Upper slope
Our oldest Pinot Noir on the steepest, stoniest ground. Small berries and fine tannins.
Block 02
South terrace
The warmest site on the estate, where Syrah and a little Viognier ripen fully.
Block 03
East chalk
Morning sun and white chalk at the surface. Chardonnay for still and sparkling wines.
Block 04
Valley floor
Cold air settles here at night, which keeps Riesling and Grenache fresh and lively.
Limestone
Cover crops
Hand pruning
Native yeast
Old oak
Limestone
Cover crops
Hand pruning
Native yeast
Old oak
Limestone
Cover crops
Hand pruning
Native yeast
Old oak
Limestone
Cover crops
Hand pruning
Native yeast
Old oak
// How we farm
Six steps from bare cane to bottle
Open each step to see what we do, and when. Nothing here is fast, and that is the point.
01
When do you pick the grapes?
We taste every block daily from late August. Most years harvest runs from the second week of September to mid October.
01
When do you pick the grapes?
01
When do you pick the grapes?
01
When do you pick the grapes?
01
When do you pick the grapes?
01
When do you pick the grapes?
// On the hill
A few days from our last season
// See it for yourself
Walk the rows with our vineyard team
The vineyard walk runs on Friday and Saturday mornings from April to October. Two hours, comfortable shoes, four wines at the end.