 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
In 2003, the planting of 132 hectares of sauvignon blanc was completed at the new Wairau River vineyard. It is very close to the fully developed Oyster Bay State Highway 63 vineyard allowing very efficient vineyard management.
The picturesque new vineyard is only 400m from the Wairau River with the Richmond Ranges providing a commanding and nearby backdrop. Originally the site would have been all river gravel but, over time, floods and the wind have combined to deposit sand silt into the many river channels. These channels now feature varying depths of sandy loams over free draining river gravels, while the ridges often have stones all the way to the surface. A feature of the development is that Gibsons Creek, which flows right through the vineyard, has been diverted and reformed to facilitate easier planting and maintenance. We have worked with the Marlborough District Council and the Government Department, Fish & Game New Zealand, to create a series of rapids and ponds to enhance the habitat for fish and waterfowl. Large fish and eels were relocated and we have also planted many young native plants along the banks of the waterway to provide shelter for the wildlife. A large proportion of the Wairau River flows underground and the new vineyard draws water for irrigation from the infiltration trench 9m below the surface. The water is applied via dripline with drippers positioned 400mm apart. |
|
