Willowview Welsh Ponies & Cobs

Willowview Vineyard

HISTORY

Willowview Vineyard was established in the spring of 2003.  Around 10,000 grafted Savignon Blanc vines were planted in an area of 14acres.  Each plant carefully looked after and a learning period of viticulture started. The Vineyard is a full time occupation and very demanding as the seasons roll on, a labour of love and long term investment for the family.

FIRST VINTAGE

The first grape harvest happened in late March 2006, off came the netting from the vines(protection from our feathered friends) ready for the harvest. The old horsefloat came in very handy as a net shed.

An early start of 5am with the harvesters arriving to start the day.  This Harvest although being the first one, and smaller than the ones to come, being eagerly awaited also would tell us how good our plants have handled the fruiting and what quality our grapes would be.  This is a major part of growing as the quality of the grape inhances the quality of the wine that will be produced. The harvest rolled out for most of the day and we ended up with two machines full on harvesting.  Our total crop was 51ton which was quite amazing for young vines with only one or two vines tied down on each plant to the wire.  The quality of the grapes proved to be right on the mark and our Winemaker 'Ant Moore' and our viticulturist specialist 'Drew' were really impressed.

Our grapes went straight into the trucks and off to the Winery, the 2006 vintage will be released sometime in September O6 and that will be when we get to taste what has been produced.  Our 2006 Vintage has arrived - Catalina Sounds 2006 Sauvignon Blanc & Crowded House 2006 Sauvignon Blanc - both these wines are produced by our Winemaker Ant Moore and are available in selected restaurants around New Zealand & Australia. 

For now it is back to winter pruning, awaiting bud burst and another harvest in the March/April of 2007.

2007 VINTAGE

Nets are on and only a couple of weeks to go.  We have managed to overcome a few difficulties this year with mother nature weatherwise this year but all in all we are looking again at a quality harvest.  Powdery Mildew and a cold flowering period has not been to good but...   Watch this space.

Harvest 2007 after all the drama with 'mother nature' has been great... another good harvest 60ton all up from smaller than normal grape set,  all went to plan, looking forward to sampling the wine once out and about later this year. YUMYUM

23rd January 2008

This year the vines look great, we are having a very hot summer, not alot of rain, just what the vines love.  No sign of disease this year so far, although we are keeping a good eye on things.  Each morning riding 'Sharma' down the rows I check how things are going, the vines are now trimmed and plucked so fruit is easy to see so all is going very well.  Watch this space ... and have a wonderful summer.