The Vineyard

$Guy\'s Chat Page$


	Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia Fusing Burgundian winemaking with Yarra Valley terroir… “If you have a great grape you have the beginning of a great wine” This is the philosophy of Guy Lamothe - winemaker and vigneron The Vineyard Wedgetail Estate was established in 1994 and is situated in Cottles Bridge 40km North East of Melbourne. Coordinates: 37.32.15' South 144.41.34' East. Elevation 200 meters at the top of a ridge. The vineyard has much aspect to it, with steep slopes averaging a gradient of 30 degrees, forming an amphitheatre shape of 6 hectares. Grape varieties have been planted to specific orientation to maximise flavour and style, such as Chardonnay planted on the steep south facing slope to emphasise cool climate character. It ripens two weeks later than the Pinot, which has an easterly aspect. The Merlot has a steep westerly aspect. It misses out on the early morning sun but does get the very warm afternoon sunrays. Finally the Cabernet and Shiraz have a good northerly slope to maximise ripening conditions. The Soil The soil profile constitutes a clay loam top-soil with 30% gravel over a yellow clay of around 800mm in depth sitting on a soft sedimentary mud stone. Topsoil depth varies from 300mm on top of the ridge to 700mm at the bottom of the hill. The Rainfall The vineyard is irrigated due to low rainfall, with an average around 700mm per year with a high evaporation rate all through the growing period. October is usually the wettest month with an average of 86mm and March the driest period with an average rainfall of 40mm. However, irrigation is kept to a minimum, enough to ensure healthy plant growth with good fruit concentration. Planting density is 2600 vines per hectare with rows of 2.3 meters and 1.5 meters between vines. Cropping is around 4 tonnes per hectare for most varieties. Fusing Burgundian winemaking with Yarra Valley terroir…

Site Map