Our Estate
YARRAWOOD ESTATE is situated in the heart of the world renowned cool climate wine growing region of the Yarra Valley. The ESTATE is internationally acclaimed for producing fine hand-crafted single vineyard wines.
Situated on the floor of the valley, the ESTATE is 150 acres in size. The mild climate of the valley allows for gradual, extended fruit ripening. Restricted yields and mindful winemaking enables the production of exceptional wines that are rooted in the purity and quality of the fruit.
National and international success has been achieved with the regional backbone varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and the ESTATE has also been honoured with a multitude of accolades for their other leading varietals including Shiraz, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Click on the heading below to discover more about each individual block of the ESTATE.
The larger of our two Cabernet blocks, the block covers 14.82 acres. This block is situated on the rich fertile soils that surround Steels Creek. The upper horizon of the soil profile consists of a well-drained deep rich clay loam sitting on a bed of black clay. Row orientation is North-South. This block is cane pruned on a V.S.P trellis.
This block is situated on the southern boundary of the Estate and consists of over 4500 vines. Row orientation is North-South. The soil is a light clay loam sitting on a deep black clay. This block is cane pruned on a V.S.P trellis.
This Chardonnay block wraps around ourCellar Door, in the centre of the Estate.Consisting of 11.15 acres, with a North-Southrow orientation, the block runs down to thebanks of our pictureque lake, with asoutherly aspect. The soil is a light clayloam sitting on outcrops of mudstone. Vines are spur pruned on a V.S.P trellis.
The block is situated on the western most boundary of our Estate covering 6.58 acres. Rows are orientated in a North-South direction. On the eastern, lower lying section of the block the soil is a deep clay loam. Cane pruning is utilized to control canopy vigour. Travelling to the west, the block gently rises with an easterly aspect to the boundary. Soil is a silty loam sitting on a bed of clay loam. Spur pruning is elected for the less vigorous elevated section of the block.
Planted against the picturesque backdrop of Steels Creek are our two Merlot blocks. Featuring a North-South row orientation, the blocks total 13.1 acres. The soil is a deep loam sitting on a bed of black clay which is common along the surrounds of Steels Creek. Vines are spur pruned on a V.S.P trellis.
A total of over 25,600 vines make up our threePinot Noir blocks that rise from the eastern bank of Steels Creek. Featuring a westerlyorientation, the blocks sit on well-drained clay loam soil and enjoy good air flow emanating from the air stream running the length of Steels Creek. The blocks feature two clones of Pinot Noir vines: MV6 and D5V12. The clones are unique in their growing habits and fruit characteristics, and offer highly complementary building blocks to the wine. Our Pinot Noir vines are cane pruned on a V.S.P trellis.
Our Riesling block sits at a lower elevation, adjacent to Steels Creek and covers some 3.55 acres. The location is most favourable for Riesling, offering a slow and extended ripening period. The site has a deep clay loam creating well-drained soil, while still having the ability to maintain good soil moisture. Vines are grown on a V.S.P. trellis, hosting a double cordon to allow for fruit distribution across the trellis. From this block we create both our fresh Autumn Harvest Riesling and our Botrytis Riesling dessert wine.
This block is located on the southern side of the Estate’s grand driveway and covers some 6.78 acres. Sitting in a natural amphitheatre the block is bounded by the Melba Hwy and our picturesque lake. The variation in elevation and microclimate provides for development of a broad spectrum of complex and complementary fruit qualities. The soil throughout the block is a deep clay loam sitting on a bed of light clay. Row orientation is north-south. Pruning method used in this block is cane on a V.S.P trellis.
This block is located on the northern boundary of the Estate alongside Gulf Road and covers 1.46 acres of the property rising from the banks of Steels Creek. The soil consists of a well-drained deep clay loam and the block is of a southerly aspect. Row orientation is East-West. Established vegetation alongside the Gulf Rd boundary provides protection from warmer northerly winds, while cool air running the length of Steels Creek flows up the rise and along the rows providing welcome relief from the heat of Summer.
This block occupies a commanding, Captain’s position in the North-East of the Estate, overlooking our grand driveway and picturesque lake, with views that stretch to the Dandenong ranges. This block is substantial, consisting of over 11,200 vines. Located at the most elevated point of the property with a southerly aspect, this block is the perfect site for growing premium Shiraz. The soil is a shallow clay loam sitting on a bed of clay and local mud stone. Vines are cane pruned on a yearly basis.
This block is nestled just below our Sauvignon Blanc (Block 6b) and covers 1.45 acres of the Estate. This is a cane pruned block using a double cordon method to allow fruit distribution across the vine canopy on a V.S.P trellis. Row orientation is East-West and the soil is a deep clay loam sitting on a bed of black clay.
Our Wine Philosophy
At YARRAWOOD ESTATE we believe that the foundation for exceptional wine starts in the vineyard. Careful and considered management of the vines allow us to meticulously construct wines that are truly reflective of our unique and rich terroir.
YARRAWOOD ESTATE’s terroir has exceptionally rich characteristics that nurture the growth of outstanding fruit.
The Estate is 150 acres in size, with a terroir that shifts and changes with the rise and fall of the land, giving each block unique characteristics. These variances were carefully considered during the initial design phase of the vineyard to ensure that varietal selection, location and row orientation would capitalise on the natural strengths of each block. Across the property each row is spaced 2.75m apart. While within the rows, each individual vine is planted at 1.5m intervals. This planting strategy equates to 981 vines per acre.
The vines are grown using the Vertical Shoot Position (V.S.P.) trellis system. V.S.P. promotes upright growth of the vine allowing for maximum air-flow through the canopy and maximum canopy surface area for increased sun intake. This trellis system, complemented by the natural terroir and a vine density of 981 vines per acre, provides optimal conditions for growing premium fruit.
Fruit yields are restricted to ensure quality and yields vary according to varietal and the wine style being produced. The average amount of fruit produced by a single vine is between 2 and 3.5Kg.
At YARRAWOOD ESTATE we firmly believe that more than any other factor, the quality of the fruit determines the quality of the wine. Fruit quality is influenced by numerous factors including climate, rainfall, terroir, yield, vine health and canopy management. Each parcel of fruit is harvested according to taste, acidity and sweetness. It is because grapes are a natural product that each vintage produces a unique wine that is reflective of the yield and growing conditions during that growing season.
Harvest normally falls within the months of February to April. Harvesting is carried out using both traditional hand harvesting and our Gregoire G65 mechanical harvester. Hand harvesting is employed when selectivity is required and/or whole berry/bunch ferments will be employed in the winemaking process. While mechanical harvesting offers great efficiency and the ability to harvest almost a 1,000 vines in a single hour, enabling us to harvest larger parcels of fruit just as it achieves optimal ripening.
Within hours of harvest the fruit enters the wine making process. Wines including Verdelho, Autumn Harvest Riesling & Rosé involve minimal wine making intervention. Following a light pressing, and a cool ferment in stainless steel vessels they are filtered and then bottled to preserve the freshness and vitality of the aromatics and the delicate palate.
Red varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot and Pinot Noir, which derive their colour from extended contact with the grape skins, are barrel matured to develop complexity and depth.
Maturation in quality oak barriques is an essential part of red wine production. YARRAWOOD currently holds an inventory of over 50,000 litres of oak. Barrels are predominantly sourced from the leading coopers of France, including: Remond, Radoux, Rousseau, Saint Martin, Dargaud et Jaeglé and Mercurey.
Other wines including the sweet Autumn Harvest Riesling and the Botrytis Riesling retain natural sweetness from the fruit. This is achieved by halting ferment before the wine becomes dry.