our vineyards - 100% mornington peninsula
We have been highly selective of our Vineyard sites; only those with a proven history to produce premium, superior quality fruit have been chosen. Our viticulture practices ensure that only minimal amounts of sprays are used to control pests and disease, with our aim to be shortly certified organic. We hadn't used any herbicides or pesticides at the home vineyard since mid 2006 - til this year, 2011, when we made a very hard decision to spray pesticides, just to ensure we actually had any grapes to pick! Fruit is sourced from the 3.5-acre home vineyard in Red Hill as well as from a few premium Mornington Peninsula sites, all bringing their own personality to the spectrum.
Darling Park's home vineyard at cellar door in Red Hill Road was planted in 1989; like most vineyards it has been upgraded and modified from time to time as part of the endless quest for better fruit. Now in 2008, it is planted to 115 Pinot noir, 95 and P58 Chardonnay, and Pinot gris. At 150m altitude, it produces delicate, elegant fruit that make wines with amazing finesse.
Much of our fruit for the last few years has come from retired medico Hugh Robinson's vineyard in Moorooduc, a warmer site at 50m altitude. He grows marvellous Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Pinot gris, Viognier and Shiraz for us on a by-the-acre basis, not by the tonne as in more commonly the case. Certain rows in each clonal block 'belong' to us year after year, and we work with Hugh throughout the year so that together we can make the best wine possible.
In 2007 we planted just 1 acre of Pinot noir around the corner from cellar door, in McIlroys Road. It's high, at 150m altitude, but is due north on quite a slope, so we hope for great things from the three clones (115, MV6 and 777) planted there - more news there in 2010 maybe!
A fourth parcel, mostly of Pinot gris, became part of the family this year when family friend Zac offered us his fruit which is on the other (eastern) side of Red Hill Rd. The first wine is looking very good indeed, and is to be found in the 2008 Pinot gris.
Our newest vineyard club member is that of Graham and Dorothy Turner of Kings Creek in Balnarring. The Pinot we made in 2009 isn't yet in bottle, but the Darling Park Rosé 2009 was made from the Pinot clone D5V12 from this vineyard - and it is looking GOOD!
Darling Park Cellar Door
Open for wine tastings every day 11am-5pm (closed Christmas & Boxing days and Good Friday)
Seasonal platters every weekend
232 Red Hill Road
Red Hill VIC 3937
Melway Ref 191 F3
T 03 5989 2324
F 03 9012 4348
E info@darlingparkwinery.com
W www.darlingparkwinery.com