Vineyard

There are 2 properties that have been family owned and run for over 50 years. The ‘home block’ of 27ha (65 acres) is 5kms east of the McLaren Vale township.

The soil types here vary between heavy biscay on clay and sand on clay. Varieties grown include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Traminer & Chardonnay.

The 2004 Shiraz, 2005 'Over The Hill' Shiraz & 2006 'Over The Hill' Reserve Shiraz wines are made with grapes from a vineyard on this block planted approximately 150 years ago in the 1860’s. Covering an area of 2.4 ha (6 acres), they were originally bush vines and were later trellised with posts and wire in the early 80's. These extremely old vines are one of 3 or 4 of the oldest Shiraz vineyards in McLaren Vale. Even though they are decrepit, twisted and 'Over The Hill', they still manage to bear fruit of great substance and grace. The fruit from this vineyard is used to make the signature wine 'Over The Hill' Reserve.   

The 'Hunt Road' Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon wine is made from a 3 ha (7.6 acre) block of Cabernet Sauvignon vines, planted in 1970. These thirty plus year old vines produce fruit of intense varietal flavour and deep colour. Hunt Road was once an early carriageway in McLaren Vale, and runs immediately adjacent to these Cabernet vines.   

The second property, once called by it's Aboriginal name 'Tattachilla', is situated 3kms west of the McLaren Vale township. The soil types are  made up of loam on limestone, loam on clay and loam on shale, limestone and sandstone. Varieties grown here are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay in an area of 40 ha (100 acres).

The Grenache block takes up an area of 11 ha (27 acres), and was planted 40 years ago in 1965 by Tony, and his 2 sons, Steve & Rocco. These are the grapes used to make the Grenache and Grenache Shiraz wines. They were grown as 'bush' vines until the mid 80's, until they were trellised with posts and wire.  

The 'Rock Hill' Shiraz wine is from the block we call ‘The Rock Hill’. It covers an area of 8 ha (20 acres), and was planted 12 years ago. It has a view of the sea between a neighbouring valley. Immediately below is a spring fed lake frequented by pelicans, ducks and other birdlife. This 'Rock Hill' block has a thin layer of loamy top soil overlying lots of lumpy limestone, sharp flat shale and some menacing blocks of sandstone. The vines seem to love this growing medium even though our tractors don’t!