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The Vineyard The Awatere Valley is already an area recognised for producing quality grapes. There is now a considerable list of international accolades having been achieved from a wide range of vineyards within the valley catchments. On our immediate boundary is Morten Estate and Tohu Vineyards The vineyard is approximately 30 ha. planted excluding headlands, 1.6 kms long, mostly sloping gently to the north, situated on a high terrace 300 metres (m) above sea level. The site is surrounded on three sides by 50m deep ravines which flow down into the nearby Awatere River. There is 55 m of fall within the site itself. The gentle north aspect and the deep surrounding gullies are what give the site the excellent cool air drainage. It is an isolated site with magnificent mountain views. Go: www.earthgoogle.com
Conservation project In the mid 1990’s the ravines immediately adjoining the vines were closed for conservation purposes and to possibly gain carbon credits. Some under canopy native plantings were carried out in 2000. Having 30 hectares of regenerating Native bush adjoining the vines has its different benefits relating to the vines. It creates a natural minimum 200 meter physical boundary and harbours a variety of wild life not all beneficial. In the “Hog Block” the grapes were devoured by a wild pig who kipped in the bush during the day. The “Stag and Sav Block” was named due to the fact that a large stag has been devouring the young vines. He is cunning and living down in the Gorge somewhere. The dawn chorus of bellbirds is always a thrill to hear and some of the exotic birds such as Californian Quail, pheasants and wild turkeys like to slope about the place. The Native Falcon which nest in the canyons at the back of the farm pay a visit to the vineyard from time to time and we hope to encourage them to visit more to dine out on waxeyes which are a small Australian bird that can cause some damage to the grapes. The Dam is another separate conservation area in the hills up above the vineyard. This 6 hectare block has been surveyed off and the native plants are regenerating there. From none there is now a fantastic array of bird life coming and going from the lake. During the Spring months the native Black teal breed every year. The Grey, Shoveller, Mallard, Paradise Shell ducks, Grey Teal, Wellcome Swallows are all regular visitors and some other species calling in. The Paradise Ducks come to moult in large numbers every year and are quite a spectacle in their own right. The area also encloses the fossilised Kea Rocks where the Native Kea were reputed to have visited in years gone by. Considerable amenity planting has carried out in particular about the homestead in recent years to create a park like setting in the other wise arid environment. Recent History The Ballochdale Estate has been owned by Garry Neill since 1981.The property was compulsorily acquired by the Government for Soldier settlement post World War 2 and settled for pastoral farming. |
The bulk of the farm is still grazed with livestock today under a very low intensity, sustainable regime. Garry’s dream was to develop a vineyard capable of producing fruit of the highest quality. Ongoing examination of the Estate, including comparative climate and soil analysis, were carried out and the results showed great promise. Several experienced viticulturists have been on the site over the years indicating excellent prospects. In 2002 the first vines were planted and a joint venture was established with some convivial foreign wine enthusiasts. The Awatere The Awatere region has experienced huge growth in recent times as a result of the quality wines that are emerging from the valley.There is currently over 4700 hectares planted, making it now the second largest grape growing area in New Zealand and still growing. The main two varieties are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir with plantings of Pinot Gris, Riesling and some Chardonnay. The transformation is amazing with both international corporates and private growers playing a part in the development. The Dam The Dam entity has been granted via resource consents under the Resource Management Act (RMA) five consents to dam and extract water (rate 10.3 litres /sec.). An engineer designed, in creek dam has been built, the catchments being mostly on Ballochdale. The dam holds approximately 86,000 cubic meters (cu.m) of water which is more than enough to adequately irrigate the block. It has up to two years storage to insure against adverse weather conditions. The water will be delivered to the vineyards by gravity via 150mm pipe. In a lean years water is moved back up the pipeline to recharge the dam. The Climate The climate seems to be ever changing and tending to be lower rainfall and more extreme. It varies hugely within the Valley with vineyards from sea level to 300 m.a.s.l. Varying microclimates exist across and up the valley in relatively short distances. The climate at the site is considered to be a more of a continental type, cool in the winter and hot in the summer and being 25 kms inland not so influenced by immediate maritime conditions. The summer air warms as it moves inland from the sea during the day. The site is generally a lower wind area compared with many other vineyard sites in the Provence. Relatively high diurnal temperature range aids in enhancing quality and flavours. It is a different climate with different influences to the Wairau Valley. It is the changing aspect within the vineyard that gives the variation. Soils There are two separate and very distinct, consistent soil types. The Pinot Noir is planted in the main on the tighter clay loam and the Sauvignon Blanc on the stony silt loam. The evenness of the soils aids in the ease of management, irrigation programming and selection of rootstocks. The vineyard lies over a stony layer 1.6 meters below the surface. It is the even undisturbed soils that aid in the even ripening of the grapes which is very important particularly for the production of high quality Pinot Noir Wines. All rows are run north-south except an area of 1.5 ha. |
The Grape Vines Two thirds of the vineyard is planted in with several clones of Pinot Noir and the balance in Sauvignon Blanc all on various grafted root stock. These are spread through the vineyard in different blocks and this gives the wine makers more options for blending back to produce the final single vineyard wines. All the Pinot Noir is harvested by hand. The vines are planted in such a density to propagate balanced vines and hence balanced wines. The Terroir This is firstly about the people and then the site, the goals, the beauty, the isolation, the sole, the heartbreak, the shareholders, the input, the resulting wines, Marlborough, New Zealand and I suppose we can not leave out those who have a chance to drink some of the wines from off the Estate. The Winery owners, the wine makers, the viticultural teams and the workers in the vineyard are all a very diverse team. Some are of extremely high calibre and have done well on the national and international stage. If I mention one I have to mention many but in the end it is the wines that do the talking. Garry is humbled and proud to be surrounded by a wonderful collection of people. Opportunity to visit. www.windhawkhelicopters.com is running tours to the Ballochdale Estates to give the tourists an opportunity to visit an operative sustainable, pastoral farm and Homestead and meet the owners. A four wheel drive tour is included to take in the isolated, tranquil beauty of the property. This is a memorable, learning experience for those who visit and is strictly by appointment only. It also is a fantastic setting to maybe sample the estate wines in the vineyard if there is any left. www.reidheslop.co.nz are also running hunting exertions to Ballochdale. This includes principally for wild turkey and in season quail hunting with the opportunity to move out to groper and other sea fishing and larger game hunts with very experienced hunters. This is for the adventuress.
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