ANCIENT SOILS
Heathcote’s 500 million-year-old red Cambrian soils are ideal for growing grapes. Deep, rich, decomposed greenstone rock and limestone with soil depths up to 2m allow vine roots to reach deep into the ground, while relatively low fertility controls vigour and yield of vines. Deep roots protect plants against extremes of drought and temperature.
HEATHCOTE REGION
Tellurian’s winery and vineyards are in the centre of the Heathcote region. This is a long and diverse winegrowing area – 80kms from north to south. South is slightly cooler than north with wines varying from fragrant, lifted, medium density to more brooding, darker fruit intensity in the north.
CONTINENTAL CLIMATE
Our climate is beautifully consistent without the fluctuations that affect other regions. Summer is generally warm and sunshine-filled with little or low cloud cover; perfect for developing intensity of character and flavour. Cool nights allow grapes to recover through the first part of the day with temperatures not rising until afternoon, retaining elegance and freshness.
ON THE VINE
We have 23 ha of vines on our 80 ha property; primarily shiraz (17 ha) with the remainder planted with a colourful array of vines including grenache, mourvdedre, nero d’avola, marsanne, roussane, viognier, riesling and fiano. Blocks are named for the year of planting from 02, 03, 06 and 11.
LOVE + NURTURE
Vertical Shot Positioning (VSP) canopy style allows for good airflow and balance between light and shade. Our vines are nurtured individually using organic principals, keeping yields low to ensure balance, quality and intense purity of variety. We commenced formal transition to organic viticulture in early 2016.
CLOSE PLANTING
Our most recent vineyard was planted high on the ridge above the winery in a natural south-facing amphitheatre. It is high density shiraz - 8,888 vines/Ha inspired by the steep, close planted sites of Saint Joseph and Condriau in Northern Rhone. The combination of soil, aspect and elevation with the planting density should induce outstanding shiraz.
ANCIENT SOILS
HEATHCOTE REGION
CONTINENTAL CLIMATE
ON THE VINE
LOVE + NURTURE
CLOSE PLANTING