1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I have been managing my family’s vineyard with my husband Craig for around 15 years. Before that, I worked as a Viticulturist specialising in the area of Integrated Pest and Disease Management. I also have a degree in Natural Resource Management from Roseworthy. 2. What prompted you to want to be …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Dave and Cheryl Walton
Walton Homestead Block/Schmerl Estate
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? We are third generation Clare Valley grape growers and have been involved in the wine grape industry for the last 14 years. In 2006, we purchased Schmerl Estate adjacent to the Walton Homestead Block and later took over the operational management of the family vineyard. Kilikanoon Wines Pty Ltd now lease …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Eliza, Tass and Brendan
Lansdowne Wine
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? In 2002 Brendan and Janet purchased Lansdowne vineyard in Forreston. It had originally been planted from 1996 to 2000. The decisions about how to manage the vineyard were made after consulting other vignerons and from advice given by suppliers. As time went on, we learned more about alternatives to the conventional …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Peter Foster
Bay of Shoals
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? My experience covers most aspects of viticulture for several years, mainly as a vineyard hand on and off. 2. What prompted you to want to be involved in the EcoVineyards project? The owner of Bay Of Shoals Wines expressed an interest in the project. 3. What do you hope to achieve …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Michael Lane
Boundary Road Vineyard
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I am a relative newcomer to grape growing, only planting our vineyard 10 years ago. My son is a winemaker and my sister lives adjacent to my vineyard and has spent many years working in McLaren Vale training and pruning many vineyards. They were both able to advise and offer help …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Ben Lacey
Calcaire Vineyards
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I have a degree in Viticulture (Ag Science) and have been managing vineyards in McLaren Vale for over 15 years. 2. What prompted you to want to be involved in the EcoVineyards project? I was interested in the work that Dr Mary Retallack had been doing. We had undertaken some revegetation …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Ben Marx and Katherine Hill
Gerty Wines
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? I have been in the winemaking part of the industry since 2000 when I left school but only dabbling in growing grapes, but we are both been keen gardeners. We started our wine label Gertie in 2016 and have been growing slowly since. We had been working with a 4th generation …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Julianne and Peter Treloar
Penna Lane Wines
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? Peter’s interest in grape growing was initially tweaked in 2004/5 when he became involved with a company that supplied organic products suitable for viticulture. He has been managing the Penna Lane vineyards since 2010. 2. What prompted you to want to be involved in the EcoVineyards project? We were involved with …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
Dru Reschke
Koonara Wines
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? In 2006, although the vineyard was still producing quality fruit, I noticed that there was a lack of resilience that resulted in the death of some vines during a particularly savage season of frosts. This prompted myself and viticulturist Mary Kennedy to investigate other management techniques to improve the vineyard. As …
Meet the EcoGrowers 2019 to 2023
David Watkins
Watkins Family Wines
1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing? After a career in the finance sector in Sydney, I returned to my horticultural roots in SA and planted my first vineyard in 1998. Since then, I have planted or renovated more than 300 hectares and overseen the management of 6 different vineyards simultaneously with a total area of 480 hectares …