Penny's Hill: McLaren Vale

McLaren Vale

History

McLaren Vale was one of the first regions to be planted with vines in South Australia. Early agricultural activities in the district mainly revolved around the growing of wheat, but this proved uneconomic in the long run and debilitating for the soils. It seems that vines were first planted south of Adelaide in 1838, at Reynella, by John Reynell, with further plantings following on by such pioneers as Dr Rawson Penfold, George Pitchers Manning and Dr Alexander Kelly.

Location

Penny's Hill is situated in the wine region of McLaren Vale some the 37 km South of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. Only 5km as the cockatoo flies from the crystal clear waters of the Gulf St Vincent, McLaren Vale is almost unique being so close to a such a large centre of population and yet on the doorstep of some of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the world. McLaren Vale is the home to approximately 300 independent growers, who look after some 5000 hectares (12000 acres) of vines.

Climate

McLaren Vale is characteristically described as having a Mediterranean climate: warm summers and moderate winters tempered by the proximity of the Gulf St Vincent, winter dominant rainfall (580-700 mm pa) low relative humidity and high relative evaporation. Rain during vintage and frost are both rare. Cooling breezes from the ocean moderate afternoon summer temperatures, and vineyards in the foothills (such as our Penny's Hill vineyard) benefit from cooling 'Gully' winds, which come down from the hills in the early evenings.

McLaren Vale is considered one of the safest and most consistent premium grape growing regions in the country, as a result of the moderating maritime climate and long summer/ autumn ripening period.

Climatic statistics

Heat degree-days - 1920
Sunshine hours per day - 8.6
Annual rainfall - 660mm
Growing season rainfall 180mm
Average January temperature 21.7 deg C
Harvest early - mid February to late April

Landform and Soil

McLaren Vale contains a wide diversity of 'terroirs' or 'mesoclimates', that is climatic, landform and soil conditions which exist in a particular site within the region. Elevation ranges from 100 metres in the northern part of the region, increasing to approximately 320 metres in the eastern parts. In the main, however, elevation is between 50-100 metres. A wide variety of soils are found within the region. They range from fertile red brown earth (which is found in the Goss Corner vineyard), terra rossa soils, dark cracking 'Bay of Biscay' soils (to be found in parts of the Malpas Road vineyard), rendzina soils, and light loam over clay soils, which are found in the Penny's Hill vineyard.

McLaren Vale as an Official Wine Growing Region - GI

Although Australia does not have the same sort of appellation rules as the 'Old' World, McLaren Vale is officially recognized as an Australian wine region. The Geographic Indications Committee, or GIC, is a statutory committee of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. Geographic Indication (GI) officially establishes the boundary of a region, which enables wineries within the boundary to accurately state their location, and market themselves under their regional banner. The establishment of the GI of McLaren Vale has helped significantly in the development of brand McLaren Vale, both domestically and overseas.

Geographical Indication was applied for in 1995, and received in 1997. The McLaren Vale wine region is bounded in the south by the Sellicks Hill range (a continuation of the Mount Lofty Ranges) extends to the eastern side of Clarendon (which is now a sub region of McLaren Vale), the north to Reynella and bounded in the west by the crystal clear waters of the Gulf St Vincent.


	McLaren Vale History McLaren Vale was one of the first regions to be planted with vines in South Australia. Early agricultural activities in the district mainly revolved around the growing of wheat, but this proved uneconomic in the long run and debilitating for the soils. It seems that vines were first planted south of Adelaide in 1838, at Reynella, by John Reynell, with further plantings following on by such pioneers as Dr Rawson Penfold, George Pitchers Manning and Dr Alexander Kelly. Location Penny's Hill is situated in the wine region of McLaren Vale some the 37 km South of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. Only 5km as the cockatoo flies from the crystal clear waters of the Gulf St Vincent, McLaren Vale is almost unique being so close to a such a large centre of population and yet on the doorstep of some of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the world. McLaren Vale is the home to approximately 300 independent growers, who look after some 5000 hectares (12000 acres) of vines. Climate McLaren Vale is characteristically described as having a Mediterranean climate: warm summers and moderate winters tempered by the proximity of the Gulf St Vincent, winter dominant rainfall (580-700 mm pa) low relative humidity and high relative evaporation. Rain during vintage and frost are both rare. Cooling breezes from the ocean moderate afternoon summer temperatures, and vineyards in the foothills (such as our Penny's Hill vineyard) benefit from cooling 'Gully' winds, which come down from the hills in the early evenings. McLaren Vale is considered one of the safest and most consistent premium grape growing regions in the country, as a result of the moderating maritime climate and long summer/ autumn ripening period. Climatic statistics Heat degree-days - 1920 Sunshine hours per day - 8.6 Annual rainfall - 660mm Growing season rainfall 180mm Average January temperature 21.7 deg C Harvest early - mid February to late April Landform and Soil McLaren Vale contains a wide diversity of 'terroirs' or 'mesoclimates', that is climatic, landform and soil conditions which exist in a particular site within the region. Elevation ranges from 100 metres in the northern part of the region, increasing to approximately 320 metres in the eastern parts. In the main, however, elevation is between 50-100 metres. A wide variety of soils are found within the region. They range from fertile red brown earth (which is found in the Goss Corner vineyard), terra rossa soils, dark cracking 'Bay of Biscay' soils (to be found in parts of the Malpas Road vineyard), rendzina soils, and light loam over clay soils, which are found in the Penny's Hill vineyard. McLaren Vale as an Official Wine Growing Region - GI Although Australia does not have the same sort of appellation rules as the 'Old' World, McLaren Vale is officially recognized as an Australian wine region. The Geographic Indications Committee, or GIC, is a statutory committee of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. Geographic Indication (GI) officially establishes the boundary of a region, which enables wineries within the boundary to accurately state their location, and market themselves under their regional banner. The establishment of the GI of McLaren Vale has helped significantly in the development of brand McLaren Vale, both domestically and overseas. Geographical Indication was applied for in 1995, and received in 1997. The McLaren Vale wine region is bounded in the south by the Sellicks Hill range (a continuation of the Mount Lofty Ranges) extends to the eastern side of Clarendon (which is now a sub region of McLaren Vale), the north to Reynella and bounded in the west by the crystal clear waters of the Gulf St Vincent.