The Vineyard Project
Mr Barval Wines took on the enormous challenge almost a year ago now to rework a 35 year old, 10 acre vineyard block in Mount Barker. Vines that had been planted with love, always adhered to byodynamic principles (actually the first certified bio-dynamic vines in Western Australia) but unfortunately had been neglected, unprunned and abandoned for the past 5 years. The varieties of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot excited us as we believe vines of this age in this area have great potential (The 1987 Riesling was rated by Halliday to be the best of Australia) and so the works began to rejuvenate and breathe life back into the vines. The works over the past year have involved some serious blood sweat and tears from family and friends alike and we thank you all so much for continuing to put your hands up for offers of help. We have recently just prepared the block of Sauvignon Blanc to be grafted over to Riesling (think chainsaw massacre) and pruning and the laying of canes has now been completed. We wait now with baited breath to see if Vintage 2017 will bear us with fruits from our labour!
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