CHALK HILL VINEYARD

In the heart of the McLaren Vale wine region and overlooking the township of McLaren Vale, the Chalk Hill vineyard has stunning panoramic views across grapevines to the coast.

The vineyard was first planted in 1969 with Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon and more recently plantings of Sangiovese, Barbera and Chardonnay have been added.

Each variety was matched with the block's particular soil type. Thus, Shiraz were planted on 'Mongrel Hill', where the rows of vines run down a southerly sloping hill of deep red-brown loam on a thick 'chalk' base. The vineyard earned its name because it is an absolute mongrel to walk up the hill, but it is also fantastic for producing high-quality grapes with fine tannins.

Below Mongrel Hill is the 'Creek Block', where old Shiraz vines grow in deep alluvial loam next to the great River Red Gums on the banks of Peddler's Creek. This block produces spicy fruit with thick, leathery skins.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Barbera are planted at the very top of the hill in the shallow ironstone sand. In these famously shallow soils the grapevines have to work hard and produce small berries with a very intense colour and flavour profile - a desirable result of the tough but sought-after growing conditions.

The hills have been cleared of feral trees and replanted with a host of native trees including the drooping sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata), that is the primary food source for the Glossy Black cockatoo. This cockatoo is Australia's most endangered cockatoo species, and we have taken the revegetation of its habitat as our primary environmental cause.

SLATE CREEK VINEYARD

Home to the Harvey family, Slate Creek lies on the northern edge of the Willunga township and is the most southern of the four vineyards. The vineyard dates back to 1896, when the first Grenache grapes were planted as part of a mixed farm. Since it was acquired in 1964, vines have replaced wheat and almonds.

Willunga sits at the base of the Sellicks Hill Range and during summer, early evening breezes blow cool air through the vineyard, helping stop mildews taking hold.

The small but permanently flowing creek running through the property is not used as a water source, but it does provide another site for our native tree revegetation project.

THE GATEWAY VINEYARD

At the northern gateway to McLaren Vale lies the Gateway vineyard, the first vineyard you see upon entering the district. Shallow red tertiary sandstone soil sits on a limestone cap, similar to the famous Terra Rossa soils of the Coonawarra. These shallow soils combine with constant wind to provide a natural constraint on the vigour of the Shiraz vines, producing intensely purple grapes with silky tannins and strong berry flavours.

WITS' END VINEYARD

Wits' End vineyard straddles the plain between the McLaren Vale and Willunga townships and is planted with Shiraz and Chardonnay grapes. A winter-flowing creek cuts through the vineyard and on either side are two distinct soil types.

On the southern side, the soil is a red Urrbrae loam scattered with flat-washed pebbles. This soil helps produce bright red fruit with dominant blackberry and raspberry flavours.

The northern side has the heavy black clay known as Gilgai, Bay of Biscay or Terra Noir and this soil gave rise to the vineyard's name.

In winter, the wet clay sticks to everyone and everything it touches, making the vineyard largely inaccessible and vineyard management challenging. It can drive you to your wits' end!

In summer, the clay dries and shrinks, forming large and deep cracks that allow organic matter and top soil to fall in, which gives rise to another name: 'self-mulching clay'. Fruit grown in this soil is dark purple with thick skins, leading to wines with liquorice characteristics and an aroma of violets.