The saying “Good things come in small packages” might well apply to this vineyard which is tucked away on the gentle slopes overlooking Relbia and the mountains beyond. The situation is 12 minutes or less, drive from Launceston or the regional airport .The tourist promoted wine route takes in the historic village of Evandale, Relbia and White Hills.
Cool climate grape varieties enjoy Relbia’s moderate, Mediterranean type climate. It was for this reason that when Launceston’s well known green grocer Irving Fong decided to give retirement a go’, he replanted part of his market garden with vines in 1998. The soils were high in fertility and for this reason he employed an American trellising system known as VSP vertical shoot position technique. This tradition had been developed in Oregon USA by Scott Henry in similar deep, rich loamy clay valley soils.
Land Title is total of 3.596 hectares (9 acres) of which 1.8 hectares are planted in vines and another 0.4 hectares as an olive grove. The land slopes naturally to the northeast and has a water course passing through the middle, creating an on farm irrigation water storage dam.
Pinot Noir Vines were first planted in 1998 followed by Pinot Gris and Chardonnay in the year 2000. In 2005 the vineyard enjoyed great success following a grafting program of Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Today over 4000 vines produce on average, (over 8 vintages) in excess of 11 tonnes grapes per hectare.
A modest brick home was purpose built for the owners in 1999 and is located high on the western boundary over looking the vineyard to the mountains beyond. The house is designed with maximum sunlight for warmth and an easy care living style, embracing lounge, dining, office space and kitchen in an open plan design. There are two large bedrooms both with separate bathrooms. A double garage/work space under the roof line also has bathroom facilities for Cellar door clients or vineyard workers. This area could be easily converted into additional bedroom accommodation.
The cellar door retail outlet is literally, a cellar door under the main house. This provides a picturesque, elevated vantage point for tasting and transacting wine purchases.
There is an extensive list of plant and equipment offered for sale with the business. This includes irrigation sprinklers for frost protection, netting, two tractors and associated implements.
For further information please contact:
Peter Stackhouse – 0408 133 408
David Headlam – 0418 132 363