Bended Knee Vineyard

Peter and Pauline Roche have 0.5ha each of chardonnay and pinot noir planted at moderately high density, and 0.25ha of ultra-close-planted pinot noir comprising clones 114, 115, G5V15 and 777. The Roches say, ‘We are committed to sustainable viticulture and aim to leave the planet in better shape than we found it’. Ducks, guinea fowl and chooks are vineyard custodians, and all canopy management is done by hand, including pruning and picking. Although production is tiny, Bended Knee wines can be found at some of Melbourne’s best restaurants. -JAMES HALLIDAY