2019 Syrahmi 'Home Block' High Density Shiraz - Heathcote, VIC. 750ml
The Home Block High Density Vineyard sits at 400m elevation in a natural, northfacing amphitheatre next to our home in Tooborac. We noticed the site’s potential in 2015, and then after much planning, in 2017, we planted three shiraz clones – PT10, 2626 and Mt Langi – from east to west across 0.35 hectares. With only 75cm between each vine and 1.45m rows in between, the Home Block High Density Vineyard is currently the most southerly, high altitude and densely planted vineyard in the Heathcote region. All vines are on their own rootstock in decomposed granite soil with no clay, and a light 15-30cm of topsoil. The giant granite boulders that surround the vineyard are a stunning allusion to the 380 million years of erosion that gave us the decomposed granite we find in the vineyard; the soil you see on the front of our Syrahmi Home Block High Density Shiraz wine bottles. Throughout the year we tend the vines by hand, which gives us a close understanding of what’s happening in the vineyard. We use organic practices and the Poussard pruning method to lower the risk of disease pressure, a concern that is further eased by the decision to cordon canes at one metre, which helps to create better airflow. Cordoning in this way also helps to protect both vines and fruit from reflected heat from the earth, while a zero till policy helps prevent soil erosion, in turn promoting biodiversity and vine health.
The vineyard’s orientation is inspired by our family home, which we noticed received generous sunshine in the cooler months, and ample shade in the summertime. Both our home and the Syrahmi Home Block High Density Vineyard face six degrees south of west, which encourages even ripening and helps to protect the vines from harsh winds and direct sunlight. As the Australian climate continues to change, the vineyard aspect is critical in helping us extend the ripening period – for greater concentration and complexity – without increasing the alcohol of the final wine. While we harvested other grapes around the Heathcote region throughout March, the PT10 clone was picked on the 11th of April, and the 2626 clone nearly a week later on the 16th and 17th.
