MCLAREN VALE SINCE 1953

The soil type is predominantly deep sand to sandy loam over clay with gravel ironstone outcrops a rare soil structure not readily found in Australian vineyards. The undulating slopes provide good drainage allowing a deep and extensive root system and subsequently robust vines that can tolerate long periods of hot dry weather. In contrast to the relatively fertile soils of the McLaren Vale valley floor the the soil in the hills tends to be leaner. This is not necessarily a bad thing as the vine’s struggle to obtain nutrients is reflected in the impeccable fruit quality and flavour, but also results in smaller yields.

​The vineyard is planted at an average 200 metres above sea level and about 130 metres above the McLaren Vale valley floor. The higher one goes the cooler the air gets and combined with the cooling evening sea breezes the ripening period is prolonged resulting in wines that attain that elusive combination of power elegance and concentration.

​Blewitt Springs has a typical rainfall in the range 560mm to 720 mm per year and has very much a Mediterranean climate.The majority of rain falls in winter with little rain in summer. Summer is particularly hot and dry allowing for ideal ripening conditions. All vines planted before 1997 were established as dry grown ( ie no irrigation ) - 2 of of our Grenache blocks still remain so. The remainder of the vineyard is marginally irrigated from the 4 dams on the property.