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Character | Climate |
Geography |
Character
There is a substantial paradox between
the environment of the Lovedale™ Vineyard and
the resulting wine. The sandy aggregate soil
is only complemented by the harsh reality of
a vineyard located in the Hunter Valley, which
means rain and humidity often plays havoc with
harvest. However, the resulting wine seems to
defy these adversities, with McWilliam’s
Mount Pleasant Lovedale™ Semillon reflecting
the fact the unique structure of the soil and
the environment it lives captures the
perfect tightness and acidity for making quality
Semillon.
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Climate
Seasonally, the region’s climate
shifts between Mediterranean conditions found
in South Australia
(winter rainfall and summer droughts) to the
northern Australian climate (summer rain and
winter droughts).
Of the 787mm annual rainfall, most occurs between
October
and April. The humidity, the afternoon sea breezes
all operate to temper the summer and afford excellent
ripening
conditions. The Lovedale™ Vineyard is protected
by a creek located on its eastern border and
afforded
air
movement
by the flatness (of the aerodrome) located to
its west.
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Geography
The Lovedale™ Vineyard is located
in the Lower Hunter Valley which falls within
the northern
section
of the geological province of the Sydney Basin,
which is often referred to as the main coal
basin
of New South
Wales. It is dominated by a number of siliceous
rocks, including quartose, lithic sandstone,
shale, claystone,
mudstone and conglomerates.
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Location
Pokolbin, Lower Hunter Valley, NSW
Elevation
58-60m
Size
30.5ha
Varieties
Semillon (22.5ha); Chardonnay (8ha)
Vine orientation
Mainly east-west
Vines per hectare
2,000
Row Spacing
3.35m (some at 4.6m)
Vine Spacing
1.5m
Soil Type
Sandy aggregate loam topsoil, with friable
brown to yellow clay soil in lower root zones
Trellising
Vertical Shoot Positioning to ensure maximum sunlight penetration, reduce
the risk of disease and to control weeds
Irrigation
Supplementary drip irrigation when required
Harvest
February; with Semillon entirely handpicked
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