The Vineyard
The 'Higher Plane' site was selected with the belief that great
wine begins in the vineyard. This guiding philosophy resulted
in our extensive search to identify a unique, exceptional site
in the southern Margaret River region.
The final property that we identified had all the necessary attributes;
undulating hills dissected by natural waterways; north facing
slopes; protection from damaging prevailing winds and impoverished
gravelly rubble.
The vineyard has been established on North facing slopes that
slope down towards the dam. The soil is of Willyabrup type or
Forest Grove duplex soils on a clay sub soil which is the ideal
soil type for wine production in the region. These soils have
a significant gravel component which aids drainage and reflects
heat to the vines in the evening. The sandy loam component of
the soil gives it its water holding capacity but in combination
with the high gravel content tends to promote low vigour.
The majority of the original vineyard was planted in 1997 with
some small additional plantings each year after that. We are undertaking
a new significant planting in October 2004. This includes Sauvignon
Blanc, Semillon, Viognier and Shiraz.
Planting
| Chardonnay |
1.87 hectares |
|
| Pinot Noir |
1.04 hectares |
|
| Cabernet Sauvignon |
1.99 hectares |
|
| Merlot |
1.08 hectares |
|
| Cabernet Franc |
0.28 hectares |
|
| Malbec |
0.28 hectares |
Graft 442 vines to Viognier, included in hectares
below |
| Petit Verdot |
0.08 hectares |
|
| Tempranillo |
0.51 hectares |
|
| Sauvignon Blanc |
|
3.66 hectares |
| Semillon |
|
0.76 hectares |
| Viognier |
|
0.64 hectares |
| Shiraz |
|
1.52 hectares |
| Total |
7.13 hectares |
6.58 hectares |
back to top^
Vine Spacing
The vineyard has been close planted by Australian Standards at
4000 vines per hectare. Close planting allows the vines to compete
with one another resulting in less vegetative growth and a lower
yield per vine. This results in more concentrated fruit flavours.
It also enables you to plant more vines on the best possible sites.
Historically vines rows in Australia were further apart to accommodate
Massey Ferguson tractors. Most vineyards in Margaret River have
therefore been established with 1.8 meters between the vines and
3 meters between the vine rows. This spacing gives a vine density
of 1,852 vines per hectare.
There are now narrow tractors that allow the vine rows to be
closer. It is also interesting to note that in France vineyards
are traditionally planted at spacings of 1meter between the vines
and 1 meter between the rows. This gives a density of 10,000 vines
per hectare.
back to top^
Trellising
At Higher Plane we use two types of trellising.
The older more mature vines are trained using the Scott Henry
Trellising system. This allows the canopy to be split with half
the shoots trained upwards and half trained down; allowing greater
air flow and sun exposure.
The other vines are on a vertically shoot positioned trellis
(VSP). This system holds the canopy upright so that shading is
minimised and optimal photosynthesis and bunch ripening can occur..
back to top^
Irrigation
Irrigation is predominately used during establishment of the
vines. Minimal irrigation is used on established vines only if
the vines are showing significant signs of stress.
back to top^
Vineyard Management
During the growing season leaf plucking and trimming are used
as necessary to achieve good fruit exposure. The vineyard is therefore
managed to achieve optimal sugar, flavour and tannin ripeness
together. It is at this point that the grapes are picked as it
is this combination that produces the best wines.
back to top^
Mailing
List 
