195 Gibb Road

Toolleen VIC 3551

These prized Cambrian soils underpin this quality vineyard and contributes towards the enviable terroir that makes up all the quality vintages from 'Tatiarra'. Naturally occurring Greenstone or Jasper is throughout the profile and the vines enjoy an elevation of 230 metres above sea level in this well drained farmland. The owners comment that the elevation is a contributing factor to air movement which in turn keeps the number of frosting events to a minimum and also reduces the fungal activity . Rainfall averages approx. 575mm per annum.
Perfectly located in Central Victoria, just 140km Melbourne , 40km Bendigo and 25km to Heathcote there is easy access to ports for export, Melb. Airport and a large regional town for all schooling, university, employment, shops and services. School and public transport is available nearby.
The farm comprises 100% Shiraz vines, approx. 13ha / 33ac, planted in 1994, 2003 and 2008. The balance of 52 ha / 129 ac approx. is pasture land currently running sheep.
The vines are irrigated from 2 dams of 36 ML total capacity plus 2 x 200,000 litre tanks (plus a further 60,000 litres of tank storage) for administering fertigation and settling. All vine rows were deep ripped before planting took place, with rows 3 metres apart and plants at 2m centres. Altogether there are 22,600 vines in 12 zones which are irrigated 3 zones at a time...............so 4 irrigation periods for approx. 4 hrs per period. Drippers are a mix of 1.6 and 3 litres / hour capacity from 12mm poly pipe. The irrigation layout has been professionally designed with 50 and 25mm supply pipe and a top quality filtration system. There are 3 trellis wires in place on the north / south running vines. Other management tools include 3 moisture probes to assist with optimising watering intervals, 2 massive resident Wedge Tail eagles that keep an eye on the smaller birds, application of gypsum and fertiliser using foliar or leaf testing results,
Other improvements include a steel framed 12m x 6m machinery shed with office, toilet, staffroom plus a mezzanine storage area. It features 2 large sliding doors, power inside and a gravel base. There is also a steel pump shed and chemical shed.
There is a full working list of plant and machinery in the sale to completely manage the vineyard. Including a 2009 FWA Kubota with FEL, a 1500litre PTO over trellis vine sprayer, 3 wheeler agbike plus trailer, petrol pump, ute poly tank for spraying, 3PL slasher, roller, scarifier bar, chisel plough, small spray outfit, grader blade and forks plus a generator. There are many sundry items which are not listed but will be included in the sale.
For those looking to continue with engaging contract staff to completely run 'Tatiarra' there is a local farm manager and contractors who have indicated they could be available. The major labour seasonal events of hand picking and pruning engage hired help, whilst the farm manager completes a part time week for the week to week tasks.
All wine is contract made using the highest quality fruit to offer 3 superb Heathcote Shiraz wines in the popular and affordable $20 to $60 range.
Last 3 years of production has averaged 73 tonnes per annum of Shiraz.. The 'Tatiarra' mission statement is all about producing quality fruit, engaging top winemaker Ben Riggs to supervise its journey at Scotchmans Hill Winery near Geelong then offering 3 levels of price point of $60, $30 and $20 (RRP) as 'Caravan of Dreams', 'Cambrian' and 'Culled Barrell' respectively. Approx. 35% of the wine is currently exported and the balance is distributed to a loyal and well established Australian market.
Pending settlement date and sales, there may be up to 13,000 dozen bottles (equivalent) including barrelled wine, available to buy from the 2011, 12 and 13 seasons.
The property has its own web site. See below......................... for the full story on the creation of the dream and the attention to detail from grape to glass.
www.tatiarra.com