Viticulture

Pinot Noir is roughly divided between two clones: D5V12 and MV6.  Chardonnay is I10V1 and Penfolds.  The Riesling clone is unknown.

Trellising is a mixture of vertical shoot placement and Carbonneau open lyre.  Vine spacing in the VSP is 1.0 and 1.25 metres and row pacing is 1.5 metres.  The open lyre spacing is 3.5 metres between rows and 1 metre between vines.  Post angle is 22.5^o.  Canopies are kept to a maximum density of 300 mm and bunch areas are progressively exposed at veraison.  Cropping levels are closely monitored to keep yields at or below that required to achieve full ripeness.

2007 budburst was early this year by about a week and was very even.  Despite relatively dry weather, the clay soils have retained  a lot of moisture and the vines are responding well to slightly warmer conditions  than that experienced in 2006.

The rabbit population seems to have diminished to zero, with the help of our appetities, as well as the feral cat population, which has now also been reduced with firepower!

We are just about to commence the third round of desuckering (yes, 2007/08 is the season for the sucker).  The grass is growing like crazy and the wonderful new drains are dry as a bone.