Funny how one continues to learn stuff that makes work easier or better. I have been pruning this vineyard since 1980, moving from vine to vine and assessing what goes, what stays and which are best as canes and as spurs ( for the season after next). Always, in the back of my head is […]
Not a memorable vintage in terms of yield for Providence, one of the best Tasmanian wineries. The season went pear-shaped during the first week of December 2014 (which, for many reasons, wasn’t a good year for me!) During that week two attempts to spray for powdery mildew resulted in the spray being washed off by rain
Couldn’t think of a better word! Last week I entertained one of my colleagues with whom I trekked Shaggy Ridge and associated battlefields in the Finesterre Ranges of Papua New Guinea in 2010. The main course was a favourite of mine: Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon marinated and then poached in our own Verjuice. To go with
WOW!! – 2002 vintage Cool Climate Pinot Noir Read More »
Whispering into my ear the other day was Gary the Goat, vineyard resident for over 11 years (pictured). It’s his year – the Year of the Goat. Now for those who have been mislead, particularly in Indian restaurants, it is not the Year of the Ram or Sheep – an error brought about by a
Duck Sticks? Well, if you haven’t been to a duck crawl in Melbourne, Sydney or Hong Kong you wouldn’t know. Two wags, Roy Moorfield and Ron Leslie, started duck crawls in Melbourne some 22 years ago, and what a great way to enjoy a broad variety of duck dishes and Pinot Noir wines. The “crawl”
The Duck Sticks are up! Read More »
Powdery Mildew Yes, site every year there has been a small infestation of powdery mildew, usually in the open lyre Chardonnay. However, in early December every block bar two large ones had been damaged by this cussed pest. Despite rigorous spraying with both protectants and eradicants Powdery has resulted in the write-off of three blocks,
Not all the news is good! Read More »
Gary: “Boss, I have had a look through the website. Mate, you haven’t said very much about our premium Tasmanian wines! You have rattled on about the viticulture and all the good work I do but nothing that sells!” Boss: “You know you’re right Gazza. We have made some real classics and also we would
The Old Goats of Providence Read More »
These little guys could make a liar out of me. Budburst is always an exciting time on a vineyard and we wait with baited breath to see the birth of the new season: 2015 vintage. These new buds are a bit premature; however, they have found shelter in the lee of a trellis post and
BUDBURST? Not quite! Read More »
For those of you out there who think that every day on a vineyard is another day spent in paradise, think again! Whilst I can’t think of a better occupation and way of life, there are some downsides. For one, a small vineyard like mine is hardly remunerative. For another, things can go wrong! Pruning
A Day to Remember (NOT!) Read More »
