The Vineyards at Wild Cattle Creek
The main vineyard at the Wild Cattle Creek site was planted in 2002, and consists of Pinot Gris and Merlot. More recently, the variety Sangiovese was added, which will give it's first crop in 2009. The total area under vines at Wild Cattle Creek is 1.7ha.
Most of the fruit for our Wild Cattle Creek wines is sourced from the family vineyard "Langbrook Estate", situated between Yarra Junction and Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra Valley. This is an ideal location for cold climate plantings, and the predominantly north facing vineyards collect the sun year round. The vineyard at Langbrook Estate is 24 ha and has been established for over 15 years. Varieties grown include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Premium fruit is grown for Domain Chandon, BRL Hardy and a small handful of other local wineries, whilst the balance of each vintage is retained for Wild Cattle Creek's range of premium wines.
Both Wild Cattle Creek and Langbrook Estate vineyards are trellised under the VSP system and are drip irrigated from property dams. We employ both mechanical and hand harvesting techniques at Langbrook, while all grapes are hand picked at Wild Cattle Creek. As good wine starts in the vineyard, our Vineyard Manager, Luke Atkins, liaises closely with Jeff Wright and Keith Salter, our talented winemakers.
The 250 acre "Langbrook Estate" is also home to Kalinka Charolais Stud, a French breed of cattle know for its quality beef. Kalinka has enjoyed much success in the show ring, and their bloodlines are sought by breeders throughout Australia.
Accommodation amongst the vines is available at both Wallace Historic Homestead at Wild Cattle Creek and Langbrook Farm Estate.
Douglas William Jerrold
