Downy mildew

I mentioned bad mildew problems in 2004 (see WINE page above) and how we lost the entire crop. Well is really was bad. Look at the state the fruit was in that year.
 
 
The fruit was badly affected in 2004. There was no fruit to make any wine with. Lesson learnt. It wont happen again!
We were [...]

Canopy management

The year we lost the entire crop- 2004 was largely because our canopy management went to shot. Too much foliage, bad pruning and no thinning. Added to that we were growing very vigorous varieties susceptible to mildews such as Sauvignon Blanc.
We had bad bad mildew problems that year and were not able to control it. [...]

Birds birds birds

Birds are nothing new to grape growers at harvest time. As soon as we get veraison (the grapes begin to change colour) the birds begin to take great interest in the vineyard. We employ four people in the vinyard solely for scaring birds away.

Kakai is about to throw a stone at a bird.
The [...]