Foate's Ridge

The Foate family, headed by Tony Foate, planted chardonnay (4 ha) and verdelho, merlot and cabernet sauvignon (2 ha each), between 1992 and 2001 on the 36-ha property they purchased in ’91. The soils are the typical light alluvial loam of the region, which promote vigorous vine growth and generous yields, yields which need to be controlled if quality is to be maximised. Using a Scott Henry trellis, bunch thinning and fewer spur positions have reduced the 15 tonnes per ha yields to 10 tonnes per ha. No wines were produced from the 2009 vintage. -JAMES HALLIDAY