Driven largely by the ignorance and hubris of youth but also motivated by more humble and sensible motives we first planted vines in 1990. This comprised 7 varieties on 3 acres as an experiment ,seeking guidance for varietal selection in this cold marginal climate.
With limited direct experience and relying on industry best practice and advice we achieved the rare outcome of doing almost everything badly. With time we learnt that low density plantings in wide rows with high trellis was spectacularly unsuccessful in our terroir and so we adapted to our now uniform layout of closely spaced rows, closely spaced vines and low trellis to take advantage of the summer warmth. Having success with Pinot Noir, Riesling, Semillon and Syrah these plantings were extended with small additions of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
We began using herbicide for the weed control, so important in a young vineyard. The problems this produced with resistant weed selection and sterile dead soil quickly became apparent ,to say nothing of the discomfort the use of this produced in the users and so we moved to an organic system of farming with cultivation for weed control.Thus began a long journey of discovery.
