Westgate traditionally has been a sheep grazing property, but in the late 60's as wool prices plummeted, we were forced to look for alternatives.
The first vineyard was planted at Westgate in 1969 from old Great Western clones and was a mix of Shiraz, Riesling and Trebbiano, the recommended varieties of the time.
It is clear that both Shiraz and Riesling are the varieties for us and for this region, however as fashions change, so have the varieties. This year we are planting two small trial blocks of marsanne and roussanne, two French varieties from the Rhone Valley the home of Shiraz, we anticipate should be suited to our conditions.
The Westgate vineyard is nestled at the base of a north eastern slope of the Great Dividing Range 10 kilometres South of Great Western in the Grampians region around the 350 meter contour.
The soils are well structured red brown clay loams over ordovician shales and ironstone.
The vineyard is managed on a low input principal to encourage the maximum expression of the "Terroir".
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The vineyard is watered using re use water piped 12 kms from Ararat.
The climate is Mediterranean marginally maritime, which reduces the impact of extreme weather events.
Being on the northern slope of the Great Divide Diving Range the days are usually warm and sunny, and our proximity to the coast, provides cool evening "sea" breezes.
Wines available are in very limited supply and sell out quickly. |
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