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| 15th of August 2008 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
The vineyard has been receiving really good rainfall over the past month and in the midst of this we have finished pruning. The stage 1 vines – planted in 2006 have consolidated really well and have well structured cordons that will produce a good crop in 2009. Further installation of the irrigation system and upgrades are occurring due to the expansion of the vineyard. Trellis installation has commenced on the vineyard planted this year. |
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| 14th of July 2008 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
It has been an extremely busy period at Heathcote Ridge. Another 55ha of vineyard has been established, taking our total up to 95ha. Winter has been dry but rainfall in the past weeks has been much better. Weed control is good and after the finalisation of the irrigation installation, pruning will commence at the start of August.
 
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| 6th of May 2008 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
The vineyard is looking really good and has consolidated well and is ready for production in 2009. Cane growth has been excellent and the resulting vine structure (after pruning) will be really pleasing. We have been recently working hard on the ‘investors block’ which will be planted shortly and be used for wine distribution to project participants. In addition we are preparing for the next stage of development as the financial year looms closer. |
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| 9th of April 2008 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
Recent additional rainfall at the vineyard has helped to consolidate the vines for the 2008 season ready for dormancy and crop production into the 2009 season. Weeds are now under control after a tough month of weed germination after the rainfall. New plantings have grown exceptionally well in the past month. Water Allocations on the Goulburn System continue to increase with 55% of water right now available. |
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| 18th of Feb. 2008 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
Along with the excellent vine growth from the summer rains, the weeds are enjoying the moisture as well. The past month has seen a continual battle against the weeds, of which we only appear to be just beginning to win. It continues to amaze me what impact (both positive and negative) decent rainfall at the right time has on a vineyard. |
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| 24th of Jan. 2008 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
We have received an abundance of rainfall at Heathcote since Christmas, around 140mm has fallen in the past month, and in fact it is raining again today on the vineyard. The vines are responding really well, with stage 1 growing rampantly and stage 2 (new plantings) jumping out of the ground. Vine training is continuing as we prepare the vineyard for cropping next vintage.
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| 22nd of Jan. 2008 |
Philip Slee - Director |
Irrigation and Drought Management Update
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| 1st of Jan. 2008 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
The development of our new 23.5Ha vineyard (Stage 2) is now complete, with vines planted, trellis installed, irrigation system installed, and cartons installed around each grapevine. The spring months have been incredibly dry at the vineyard with large cracks opening up in the soils; over the past month we have been receiving regular thunderstorm activity which is helping to replenish the soil moisture. The stage 1 vineyard has been receiving regular vine training over spring with most vines now fully established along the cordon (fruiting) wire. There is a small crop on stage 1 where we will evaluate its commercial potential towards the end of January.
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| 10th of Sep. 2007 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
| The vines are beginning to burst already which is exceptionally early, although it is predominantly the young vines bursting and it is normal that they are earlier than the more established vineyard. Pruning was finished this week and weeds have been well controlled. The vineyard is quite dry as it hasn’t rained on site for a number of weeks, however there are good rains forecast over the next month. On the water supply side; the Goulburn System is currently on 17% water allocation and predicted to get to 40% allocation in February; even if dry conditions prevail. With the use of our ‘carry over’ water from last season and this seasons allocation plus a small top up on the temporary water market there is plenty of irrigation water available for the vineyard. |
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| 14th of August 2007 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
| It has been a busy couple of months at Heathcote. Nearly 80 hectares of vineyard was planted before the 30th of June. After planting there was a large clean up operation and some well earned rest. Weed control has been excellent. The good news on the irrigation water is that there have been significant inflows to Lake Eildon and the Waranga Basin , plus a good snow season which should result in reasonable water allocations for Heathcote Ridge. |
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| 20th of June 2007 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
| The leaves are hanging on in the established vineyard area resulting in a delay of undervine herbicide applications. Herbicide will be applied as soon as leaf fall occurs. Development of an additional 64Ha of vineyard is well underway despite bogging a 280Hp tractor due to the large amounts of rain we have received. The rainfall in autumn has meant ideal soil conditions for planting the young vines. See photo page for additional pictures. |
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| 1st of May 2007 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
Irrigation and Drought Management Update
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| 16th of April 2007 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
| Steve Thomas the Vineyard Manager has just returned from his honeymoon with new wife Penny – our congratulations to them both!!! On the vineyard the weeds have been on the move again since the first of the Autumn rains and need regular spraying. We have also been planning for our next phase of development. Another dam has been filled in preparation for the next planting and the (Chinese Poplar) windbreaks have been planted. |
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| 13th of March 2007 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
| The application of composted cow manure is complete and we have just finished a detailed training pass on the entire vineyard. The results of the training pass were pleasing with a large percentage of vines growing strongly enough to be tied off at the cordon (fruiting) wire. This should result in a small crop next season, rather than the entire vineyard being pruned back to 2-buds i.e. milk carton height. We are very pleased with this result following on from the drought/cold/frosty beginning to the season that the vineyard which substantially delayed the growth of the vines. |
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| 1st of March 2007 |
Luke Rolley - Vineyard Technical Manager |
| On HRV we are in the process of selectively spreading some composted cow manure on vines which will appreciate some extra help. Our aim is to have a consistent, balanced and productive vineyard from early on, the process of selective applications of compost will help the weaker vines catch up to the stronger vines. We have also been standing up and training vines that are growing rampantly. |
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