After more 160 years here, we are used to change…maybe not on the scale of the rest of the world, but still significant for us.
Since 2020 we have been planting new vineyards at Yeringberg with a number of aims…firstly, there is the inevitable risk of Phylloxera and the need for vines on resistant rootstocks…and then there is climate change. Our new Quarry Hill Pinot Noir block shown here ticks both boxes. A mixture of MV6 and Abel clones, grafted on to resistant rootstock and positioned on a cooler south facing slope, traditionally a rare practice in the Yarra Valley, but becoming a very good option for early ripening varieties.
So far the results have been very encouraging and even in this very hot summer, the vines are thriving. They are too young to feature in our immediate Yeringberg label plans (the fruit is currently sold to others) but in time we know how good this fruit will be. It’s all down to adapting to change and, fingers crossed, reaping the benefits.
