Our Vineyards
Terroir - Springhill
Springhill vineyard has its own terroir - its location, climate, the Barossan culture plus the modern Australian winemaker interpretation of classic styles, pristine varietal expression, and rarity, and we have an understanding of just what this means.
Springhill is acid soils, gravels mostly, and later ripening fruit through cooler autumn temperatures. The good natural rainfall, the high level drainage and the tough growing conditions all come together to give this "terroir" or regionality.
With these then comes the Baronssan character of the vineyard staff. Their care, understanding, love of vineyards and high work ethic bonds together the natural elements and truly completes Springhill terroir. The wines reflect this most clearly in Grand Merlot, Pinot Gris, Zinfandel, Chardonnay and, when on their own, the Eden Crest Merlot portions.
Long flavours, multiple nuances, slightly tighter finish, longevity also comes from these conditions of terroir.
Environmentally Springhill vineyard is operated on the minimal input system (MIP) where:
- No spraying takes place as a routine program. Insect and disease monitoring picks up any problems and this then is assessed with no action unless absolutely necessary and then only on a minimum basis.
- Herbicide usage is minimized as well through microspraying and the alternative of slashing.
- Water application only when necessary to keep the leaves active and then only to a planned one megalitre per hectare (about 4 inches) per year. Reaching a maximum of 800mm total natural plus added water. Dam mostly; supported by a tiny 3,000 litre per hour bore when necessary.
- Water quality is high, as evidenced by the moss growing beneath the vines; the lichen on old posts and trees, and the abundance of frogs on the property.
- Native trees have been planted (1,800) to provide wind breaks and alternative foods for native birds.
- There is no mid row cultivation.
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HEIGHT |
390-430 metres |
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BASIC AREA |
20.5 acres (8.2 hectares) in production, but close planting gives an effective 33.76 acres (13.5 hectares) |
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PLANTINGS |
Spacing is such that 870 vines per acre is used (2175 vines/hectare) rather than usual Barossa/Eden Valley planting of 600 (1500/hectare) |
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SOIL TYPE |
Ancient grey-brown podzolics over gravel. Topsoil depth 5cm to 30cm |
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BASIC LAYOUT |
Boomerang shaped, north-south saddle |
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ANNUAL RAINFALL |
680 mm, mostly May to October |
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SITUATION |
65 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, 4 kilometres due west of Eden Valley township, 12 kilometres from consistent coldest area in South Australia |
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VARIETIES |
Total 8.2 hectares |
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AVERAGE YIELD |
72.6 tonnes/year, or 7.6 tonnes/hectare (3.0 tonnes/acre) – 8 year average |
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TRELLIS METHODS |
Mostly two wire vertical but Pinot Gris and Zinfandel have moving foliage wires 0.72 hectares Merlot onto Smart Dyson system, with one arm permanent. One metre spacings in row and 2.2 metres between rows. |
PRUNING METHODS |
Mostly rod and spur in early plantings (1981-1992). Spur on permanent arm to Zinfandel, Pinot Gris and latest close planted Merlot |
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FERTILIZER |
Especially on younger vines during 1st and 2nd year. At bearing all vines get urea at bud swell and seasonal folliars. |
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HARVESTING |
First two years of bearing picked by hand – then depending on winemaking, some may be hand-picked while rest is machine picked |