Leased Bannockburn Vineyards

Ferris

Ferris vineyards (I and II), towards Cornish Point, are the result of dune formation from parent material blown across the river from the Cromwell flats. They are very low in both fertility and water holding capacity. Drainage is, if anything, too good. Ferris I is planted with Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, while Ferris II is entirely Pinot Noir.

Bannockburn Bay

Bannockburn Bay was planted in 1998, and is 0.53 hectares sitting directly above the Bannockburn Inlet. It’s planted exclusively in Pinot Gris clone 2.15 in two row terrace formation. The vineyard is moderately vigourous –the soils are predominately sandy loam (of the "Letts" sandy soil type) with underlying gravels. The vineyard faces north and sits at 210m to 230m.

Black Rabbit

Black Rabbit is the highest elevation vineyard we have on Cairnmuir Road, sitting at about 260 to 320m above sea level. It was initially planted in 2002 with Pinot Noir clones 5 and 115, but in 2008 an additional area was planted in Pinot Noir (clone Abel) and Riesling (Clone Waipara). The total planted area is 3.43 hectares (2.43 Ha Pinot Noir and 1 Ha Riesling). The soil is a thin layer of loess (windblown silt) over ancient schist base material. Black Rabbit is a low vigour north-east facing site, and was named after a black rabbit that was spotted on the future site of the vineyard prior to development.