Our family has been farming at Walkerville, in South Gippsland for over 45 years, mainly producing high quality lamb and beef. While we’ve spent many years honing our land and animal productions systems a challenge that faces farms in Australian is to consider ways to make products that add value and uniquely reflect the characteristics of the region. The cool climate, good soil (sandy loam over c
lay) and suitable aspects of different sites on the farm gave us an opportunity for growing premium cool climate wine grape varieties. Added to this is our family’s passion for wine and precedence set by the region's small number of established vineyards and brands. Working with family members whose respective passion and professions have all helped to shape the foundation and direction that we’re heading in. We originally planted the vineyard in 2006, which true to form, was a difficult year due to the drought that was gripping Victoria. This threw up all sorts of challenges that forced us to learn the reality of managing a vineyard in Southern Gippsland. With no neighbour to ask “how they dealt with the different conditions” it’s been a steep learning curve that is ongoing, yet has created an enthusiasm to apply the knowledge learned to future vineyards that are now in the planning stages. Since we planted the vineyard we have had every type of season thrown at us. Initially we started with droughts and within a couple of years weather conditions delivered two consecutive summers of the highest rainfall in Sth Gippsland on record. Sub soil drainage has had to be adapted as has the trellis systems all in the pursuit of creating an environment that allows the vines to have the greatest opportunity to produce quality fruit regardless of the weather conditions that the seasons may and will present. In Sandro Mosel we’ve found a winemaker who we’ve managed to interest and engage and who is prepared to work with us in the emerging “South Gippsland’ wine region. It was light, yet it revealed enough to give us confidence to continue shaping the vineyard.
220 dozen was made of the 2013 which is the first wine to be released commercially and we though it fitting to name the wine after its location and hence “Walkerville Vineyard” was born.
