‘do it once and do it well!’

Located 10 kms south east of the Mt Barker townsite, the Chatsfield vineyard lies in the western shadows of the Porongorup Range.  The continental (inland) climate of Mt Barker, with moderate to cool  temperatures and a winter dominant rainfall, has built a highly respected name internationally for producing ‘premium quality’ wines.

The gently undulating topography, gravel loam soils and continental climate combine to create a unique ‘meso’ climate for the Chatsfield vineyard. 

Established over 5 separate blocks within the property the vines lie on the North and North Eastern slopes.  The soil types range from gravely loams on the crest of each hill to loamy, gravel sands on the lower areas. 

Although the vineyard has a large water reserve with 4 dams on the property and an extensive drip irrigation system, we have not had a requirement to utilize this in the last 2 years and the vines are essentially ‘dry grown’. 

Initially planted to Riesling and Gewurztraminer (1976) the vineyard has been expanded over the last 32 years to include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc. 

We aim to undertake all the vineyard operations at the correct stage of the vine annual life cycle.  This ensures the vines have the best opportunity to achieve optimum ripeness and flavour development. 

Pruning commences in June and continues through July until mid August.  Both spur and cane pruning are utilized with a VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) canopy management.  Currently we are conducting a large amount of ‘head works’ and retrellising on many of the old vines.  In this process we remove the old cordon and utilize a new cane to establish the new cordons.  This results in a higher vigour and fruitfulness of the vines.  Retrellising involves the removal and replacement of the old and broken posts and wires.  

Following pruning the vineyard floor is managed by sweeping the undervine areas and mulching between vine rows.  This maintains high organic material which yields ‘natural’ fertilizers to the vines.  Additional composts and mulches are incorporated undervine to further enhance fertilizers and maintain weed control. 

Chatsfield incorporates a very minimalist ‘spray program’ to control moulds and fungus within the vineyard.  Our long term aim is to incorporate an ‘organic’ management program to minimize the use of chemical sprays.  

As part of our ‘green’ management program, sheep are grazed to maintain weed and grasses and guinea fowl and bantam chooks roam freely maintaining the bug control within the vineyard. 

The vineyard is monitored closely at all stages of its annual cycle; however as we approach harvest season, weekly and daily assessment of each individual variety takes place by our winemaking and viticultural teams. 

We aim to harvest each individual variety at the optimum ripeness and constant assessment for flavour and sugar development is essential at this time. 

Both hand and machine harvesting is utilized at Chatsfield where we aim for the best option to preserve flavour and berry composition.