For a long time now members of my family have been having bragging sessions over who has grown the best tomatoes, who can be the most creative with a zucchini, who has their own lamb/duck/chicken in their freezer.
[Read more…] about My sisters birthday dinner
Pasta Sauce
As promised I am going to let you in on my tip with what to do with all those tomatoes.
Our tomatoes have started to ripen and I started processing them last night.
Firstly, get a big pot and chop up some onions and lightly sauté them.
[Read more…] about Pasta Sauce
What’s happening in the winery?
Miners Ridge have released a special 3 pack of 2010 Shiraz which are a perfect gift for Christmas. They come in a lovely gift box and can be delivered anywhere in Australia. (free in local area, contact us for a quote outside the Grampians region) At only $60 this is a perfect opportunity to try our wine.
Vintage is between February and May depending on the variety and the climate. The 2011 vintage is well and truly over with Shiraz and Cabernet grapes having been picked, processed and now ageing in barrels.
The 2010 Chardonnay was bottled last month and is ready for drinking now. The 2010 Shiraz is also bottled, and now available for purchase.
Miners Ridge wines are available with a meal at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld and the Blue Duck Hotel in Ararat. You can’t buy them anywhere else, so you know you’ll be one of only a few enjoying the fruits of our labour.
What’s happening on the vineyard?
The 2010 / 2011 growing season had all the elements against grape growers, including excessive rain which led to diseases pressure. With a lot of hard work from Andrew we were still able to produce another year of quality fruit for our wines. We are looking forward to a better season this year with less rain, no locusts and lots of sunshine.
Spring is a beautiful time on the vineyard first with bud-burst, then with the vines growing rapidly as they now head towards flowering then fruit set at the end of November.
Environmental Practices
Miners Ridge Vineyard has good environmental practices and has been recognised for this by being approved as an Entwine compliant vineyard. Entwine is a an Environmental Management system recognised in the wine industry that requires us to have a high quality environmental practice.
We are also excited because we have recently installed solar panels to power our sheds and house. Having solar power further assists us in reducing our carbon foot print, and we also enjoy watching our meter go backwards reducing our electricity bill!
Vineyard Contracting
Another exciting thing for Andrew (not so much for Katrina) is the recent purchase of a new Kubota tractor. As part of our Viticulture contracting business we need to have reliable, fuel efficient and comfy equipment!
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about our vineyard and contracting business so please feel free to contact us via this website.