Crawford River
Producer website
Inspired by its potential to produce superior quality grapes, John and Catherine Thomson planted their vineyard in 1975 at Crawford River, in far south-west Victoria. It was then a relatively unexplored wine growing region and indeed remains merely a blot on the canvas, though the area is now known as the GI of Henty.
Since the initial plantings in the mid 1970´s, there have been 2 more small plantings. Believing in the fine quality of the Semillon included in the original plantings, John and Catherine added another 0.7 Ha of the variety in the early 1990´s.
In 2000, another block of Riesling was added, which now produces the Young Vines Riesling wine.
The cool southerly latitude together with the maritime environment, complex soil structure and favourable micro-climate create a terroir which has justified the initial vision.
Belinda Thomson, elder daughter of John and Catherine, returned home at the end of 2004 after completing her studies in Oenology and Viticulture and pursuing several vintages in various European locations. Since 2008, Belinda divides her time between Spain and home, returning to Crawford River for the winemaking season and the all important blending.
In August 2010, Fiona Thomson - the younger daughter - joined the team. After deciding the wine trade just might be for her, she will soon take on the role of National sales and Marketing.
Presiding over gently undulating grazing lands with sprawling forests in the distance, Crawford River has paved the way for the industry in what is traditionally a wool, beef and dairy region. The winery atop the hill and the vineyard hugging the slope nestle in the midst of a large sheep and cattle station that John’s great-grandfather settled in 1884.
The Vineyard
Rainfall is generally reliable, with much of the 650mm average falling in Winter and Spring . At Latitude 38° South and 110 metres above sea-level, temperatures are cool. Situated approximately 50 kilometres inland from the Southern Ocean, the vineyard enjoys its moderating maritime influence whilst managing to escape most of the Autumn sea mists.
The combination of these factors produces a long and even growing season
helping to produce grapes with intense fruit flavours and high natural acidity. Whilst our dry grown vineyard enjoys low yields, some years require careful manipulation of bunch numbers, ensuring the highest possible fruit quality. Budburst is usually mid-September with picking from mid April to mid May.
The Crawford River vineyard lies at the alluvial edge of a volcanic lava flow. The 11.5 Ha vineyard has its roots in an unusually complex, mineral-rich soil base. Gravelly, friable, basalt loam overlays permeable clay which in turn lies above a limestone base created by an ancient, risen seabed.
Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon are the two main varieties in the vineyard, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
All major activities such as picking, pruning, leaf-plucking, shoot-thinning and green pruning are done by hand.
Our vineyard is maintained without the use of herbicides nor insecticides.