Mulgrave Heights - our vines

Much speculation has occurred as to the variety of our vines. as yet, I have been unable to definitively categorise their variety. Both vines were well established when my partner Myles and I, bought the house in 2000.

The vines are prolific producers. In 2007, we picked over 40kgs of grape from the north facing vine alone! The bunches are large, often greater than 40 cm in length and weigh up to 750gms -1 kg each. This vine is netted ever year. Due to the position of the westerly vine (against the garage wall and inside a raised vegetable patch,) the westerly vine is left to the birds and possums, with us coming a distinct 3rd.

The grapes have a deep purple skin, a white fruit and small seeds. They are not fabulous as a table grape, but we certainly eat a few as we pick them :)

Mulgrave Heights 2008 Vintage

Our back garden hosts 2 grape vines, both of the same variety (as yet unknown). One vine sits on the garage wall and is westerly facing, the second and larger vine is located on the northern fence line. Both vines are approximately 25 years old.

This year, the westerly vine had a small infestation of vine mite and as such none of the grapes were used for wine production. The northerly vine was infestation free.

With the assistance of our winemaker, Andrew Osborne (Ossy), and his 2 year old daughter Charleah, the grapes were harvested on March 9th 2008. 10.5 litres of must was achieved. Due to the unusually hot temperatures experienced that day (34) we were unable to second crush the skins or keep the must on skin for any period of time. Despite this, the must in 2008 has a much deeper colour than previous vintages.

We transferred the must from the 20 litre flask, to 2x4litre flask on 12th April. At this time our Specific Gravity was 950. Now the chemistry lessons I missed in high school become useful!