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| VINEYARDS |
Tamburlaine sources fruit from its own organic vineyards in the Hunter Valley
(Pokolbin and Broke), Orange and more recently, Mudgee. See Map below
HUNTER VALLEY
Location: 358 McDonalds Road, POKOLBIN
NSW
Tamburlaine has 13 hectares under vine at its Pokolbin property. The Hunter
Valley is located some 1 ½ hours from Sydney. It is one of the oldest wine
regions in Australia and one of the five most recognised wine producing regions
in Australia. Through Tamburlaine’s organic conversion the quality of the
vineyards has been substantially improved.
Grape Varieties
Semillon, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Shiraz/Syrah, Merlot,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin and Durif.
Area under vine: 13 ha
Vines planted: 1966
Harvest: January - March
Climate
Warm grape growing climate
Mean January Temperature: 22.7°
Average Annual Rainfall: 530mm
Average Oct-March Sunshine Hours: 8.5
Heat Degree Days: 2100
Other: Generally cloud cover during January shields the effects of heat during
the growing season. Occasionally rainfall interrupts the harvest in January,
February and March.
Geography
Terrain: Diverse range of gently undulating landscapes and rich
farmland set against a backdrop of rocky outcrops, sandstone cliffs and rugged
scrub-covered mountains.
Elevation: 100m
Geology: Sandstone and shale
Soil: Red duplex soils with well structured loamy surfaces
Management practices
Use organically certified sprays for containment of downy mildew. Use
pine oil and under vine tillage for weed control. Bunch rot at harvest is always
a threat. Drip irrigation used to supplement water requirements. Vertical shoot
positioning (VSP) for trellising. Cane and spur pruning.
ORANGE
Location: Borenore Lane, BORENORE, NSW
Tamburlaine substantial production comes from 100ha of its own vineyards in
Orange, New South Wales. The Orange Wine Region is centred on the city of Orange
in the Central Mountain Ranges of New South Wales, 260 km (160 miles) west of
Sydney.
In the world of wine, the Orange wine region is unique in that its boundary is
an altitude contour. For Orange this is the 600 metre altitude contour (2,000
feet). As a consequence all vineyards in the region must be above this height.
This in turn makes the Orange wine region cool by definition.
Orange is on the inland side of Australia’s Great Dividing Mountain Range and as
such it has a continental climate with warm summer days tempered by cool nights.
The extinct volcano, Mount Canobolas, 1400 metres (4,600 feet) dominates the
landscape. Tamburlaine’s vineyards are located on the slopes of Mount Canobolas
at an average of around 900 metres above sea level, (3,000 feet). The Orange
wine region’s high altitude vineyards offer some very definite and distinct
natural advantages. The cool climate, ancient volcanic geology and soils,
together with the long growing season, combine to produce wines of distinct
flavour and high quality. The Orange region is considered by many observers as
the best new region in Australia, although with over 30 years of wine
production, it is little wonder that the region is now producing top quality.
Grape Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Marsanne,
Shiraz/Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc,
Grenache.
Harvest: March-early May
Climate
Cool grape growing climate
Mean January Temperature: 19.5°
Growing season rainfall: 440mm
Average Oct-March Sunshine Hours: 8.9
Heat Degree Days: 1257
Other: Defined and heavily influenced by elevation. Cool to very cool nights
followed by warm days, which are ideal for cool climate varieties grown.
Geography
Terrain: Located on the slopes of extinct volcano, Mount
Canobolas.
Elevation: 800m – 900m
Geology: Basalt
Soil: Deep well drained, deep friable red-brown clay
Management practices
Use a combination of organic and biodynamic practices. Apply biodynamic
formulations to mobilise nutrients (see
ORGANIC). Vertical shoot positioning was
originally used but to avoid sunburn, in recent years, VSP has moved to a lazy
sprawl on the western canopy and a vertical lift on the eastern side. No
herbicide requirement due to sufficient soil nutrient. Downy mildew and LBAM and
Bunch rot at harvest are the main threats. Drip irrigation used to supplement
rainfall and the excellent water holding capacity of the deeper soils.
WATTLEBROOK VINEYARDS, BROKE, HUNTER VALLEY
Location: Fordwich Road, BROKE, NSW
Wattlebrook Vineyard is situated in the Broke-Fordwich Road valley. The vineyard
was planted in 1994 and consists of the varieties. The vineyards premium
varieties are grown in volcanic and sandy loams soils. Tamburlaine has
contracted to receive the best parcels of the varieties grown.
Grape Varieties
Semillon, Verdelho, Shiraz, and Chardonnay.
Area under vine: 38 ha
Vines planted: 1994
Harvest: January - March
Climate
Warm grape growing climate
Mean January Temperature: 22.7°
Average growing season rainfall: 530mm
Average Oct-March Sunshine Hours: 8.5
Heat Degree Days: 2100
Other: Generally cloud cover during January shields the effects of heat during
the growing season. Occasionally rainfall interrupts the harvest in January,
February and March.
Geography
Terrain: Gentle slopes
Elevation: 155m
Geology: Basaltic Fordwich sill
Soil: alluvial, granite, sandy loams
Management practices
Use organically certified vineyard practices Vertical shoot positioning
(VSP) for trellising. Cane and spur pruning.
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