BALNAVES
Our Vineyards
BALNAVES
Vineyard Overview
Since the planting of the first 5 hectares of vines in 1975, the Balnaves vineyards have grown steadily. The principal variety planted is Cabernet Sauvignon, which accounts for 70% of the area whilst the addition of Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Chardonnay make up the total vineyard area.
The vineyard is divided into small blocks of between one and two hectares, which take into account depth of soil, trellis design, vine clone and row direction. The quality of wine produced from these small blocks is evaluated each year and recorded. This practice proves the validity of the French concept of “terroir” or the effect that micro-climate; geological features and other factors have on the quality of the wine produced. Such effects are clearly seen in the Balnaves vineyard at Coonawarra.
South Australia has some of the oldest winegrape vines in the world. Your shoes and clothing can pick up and spread pests and diseases, including phylloxera. Please don’t walk amongst our vines. Help protect the vines that make our special wines. For more information about vineyard biosecurity visit www.vinehealth.com.au
BALNAVES
Precision Viticulture
At Balnaves of Coonawarra, our approach to viticulture is built on a simple principle: understand every part of our vineyard and continually improve the quality of its fruit.
In the early 1990s, we began focusing more closely on underperforming areas of the vineyard, with the goal of producing more fruit capable of meeting our highest quality standards. The establishment of our own winery in 1995 allowed us to batch-trace fruit from individual vineyard blocks, giving us a much clearer understanding of where our best fruit was coming from. Where vines consistently failed to reach the required standard, we replanted or removed them.
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Soils & Management
Our approach to vineyard management is constantly evolving as we learn more about our soils and environment.
We have trialled different approaches to weed management, including periods without Roundup and pre-emergent herbicides, undervine slashing and, more recently, organic weed-control products. These trials help us find practical ways to reduce chemical use while maintaining healthy vines and effective vineyard management.
Between the rows, phalaris is our preferred cover crop. Its extensive root system helps maintain soil structure, while its ability to withstand dry conditions makes it well suited to Coonawarra. The resulting straw is returned to the soil, adding organic matter and helping build a healthy growing environment.
The cover crop also gives us valuable insight into our soils. Changes in its growth can indicate differences in moisture, soil depth and salinity across the vineyard.
Our aim is simple: to maintain healthy soils, manage vine competition and work with the natural characteristics of each site to produce better fruit.
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Pruning
Balnaves prunes around 550 hectares each year, using a combination of mechanical and hand pruning across the vineyards we manage.
Over the past 25 years, we have trialled a range of pruning methods, including cane and spaced-spur pruning. These trials have helped us understand what works best for our Coonawarra vines, with yield, fruit size, vine health and long-term spur development all important considerations.
Today, we use a range of specialised mechanical pruning equipment, completing as many of the final cuts as possible mechanically. This allows our hand-pruning teams to focus their time on the cuts that require experience and judgement.
Our approach is based on allowing each vine to find its natural balance. Rather than simply chasing a particular bud or bunch number, we consider bud fruitfulness, fruit set and the vine’s ability to ripen its crop. The goal is a balanced vine, sustainable yields and fruit that reaches full ripeness and quality.
BALNAVES
Frost Protection
Frost is one of the challenges of growing grapes in Coonawarra. Balnaves manages 16 frost-control sites, supported by a private network of weather stations that continuously monitors vineyard conditions.
Temperatures are tracked in real time, allowing frost protection to be activated as precisely as possible. Our pumping and irrigation systems are also remotely connected, helping us respond quickly while minimising water use.
Where frost protection is not required, we closely monitor soil moisture and weather conditions and manage vineyard floor vegetation to influence soil temperature.
Water is our most effective frost-control tool, so using it carefully is essential. Our approach combines technology, careful monitoring and efficient irrigation to protect the vines while making every drop count.
