The Wine Farm is where we grow the wine we want to drink and
the food we want to eat. It's where our kids get muddy, our dog
can howl without upsetting the neighbours and we can breathe.
Hailing a cab
Those who know of South Gippsland as a wine region probably lean towards Pinot noir as the variety of note. And with very good reason. The soils and climates of this region are perfectly geared to ripening this beautiful berry to produce a silky, earthy and enigmatic wine. Our local hills should be heaving in the stuff.
But what about Cabernet?
Cabernet Sauvignon is generally grown in warm, dry climates where the inky tannic grapes can ripen fully to produce big bold wines. Oops. Our climate is cool and wet. But then big bold wines leave us cold, too.
Turns out, if our first four vintages are anything to go by, Cabernet Sauvignon planted in good red soil in a cool wet region can actually produce a bloody good drink… about half of the time.
MoreSubscribe
Vintage 2019 was tracking along nicely. Probably the best yet for our short tenure on The Wine Farm. But just as we were sharpening our snips in preparation for picking, three days of 35–40°C stopped us in our tracks and got us all hot under the collar.
More
‘Cool climate’ is a term that gets used a lot in the wine world but not always appropriately. It’s the weather during ripening that really counts, and the closer to picking the more of an impact it has on the ultimate style of your wine.
More
This morning the last of the nets went over the vines marking the end of the back-breaking vineyard work till harvest starts in about three weeks; the cellar door is now closed until Easter; and the kids’ activities have started up again for the year (including our oldest starting school!). It truly does feel like new beginnings.
More
Until now we’ve tackled weeds in the vineyard by slashing under the vines. But when your back hurts just looking at the vineyard at the beginning of the growing season, and then your tractor starts making the same groaning noises as you, it’s time to re-assess the situation.
More
The Wine Farm Pinot gris 2017 – dry, textured and full of flavour it’s a nod to the Italians, a kiss on both cheeks with the French but 100% The Wine Farm.
More
Buying an existing vineyard without really knowing its potential is something you could lose a lot of sleep over.
More
Great wine is the sum of hundreds of decisions from vineyard to bottle. As the ‘maker’ all I do is try to make the best decision I can at any particular point in time.
MoreWe are gradually releasing our 2017 vintage (and a few we've been saving from previous vintages) to our mailing list. Subscribe to Letters from The Wine Farm to be the first to hear about new releases at subscriber prices and build your own case of 6 or 12.
If you can't wait perhaps our sample pack may quench your thirst...
More
In 2014, having fallen for the region in general and the potential of its grapes in particular, we took the biggest plunge so far. We poured our joint worldly effects into a small patch of dirt down the road. An unassuming address we thought might just have everything we needed to start creating our own little world. Good soil, eight thousand vines, a great big shed and lots of bedrooms to fill.
More
The worker’s cottage on the property is available for short stays. Bring some friends, check out the region and its spoils and soak up The Wine Farm.
More