Yields at Hutton Vale are low by industry standards. In the range of 1-2.5 tons per acre is all we expect. The trade off is the quality, which is always exceptional. The position of a vineyard in a region is important. We also have the advantage of vineyard position on the farm. Being centrally located it reduces the implications of spray regimes or disease from neighbouring vineyards. There is not much point in aiming for a balanced vineyard with minimum chemicals if an adjoining vigneron pours on the chemicals on a windy day! The yield is a reflection of the season, relying on under vine mulch and rainfall for water requirements. There is no other way here, underground water is not an option for environmental sustainability, and dam water is finite for the benefit of creeks and rivers, and mains water does not exist.
For decades the winery has persevered growing Grenache, and is now delighted that the varietal is being treated with the respect it deserves. Hutton Vale has the good fortune that when the dry-grown vineyard was established in the 1960's, a few vines were unable to cope with the conditions. The hardy Mataro was planted to fill in the gaps, giving a magnificent vineyard blend. The Grenache Mataro is outstanding and far from thin as is so often the case. This is a wine that is glossy in the glass, full in fruit and spice in the mouth and wonderfully satisfying out of the bottle! The Grenache and Mataro are co-fermenting and then rest in oak for 18months; the finished blend is 60% Grenache and 40% Mataro.
