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The first Meadowbank grapes were planted in 1974, just 2 years before Gerald and Sue Ellis purchased "Meadowbank" at Glenora in 1976. There was less than a hectare of Shiraz, Cabernet and Riesling vines, and despite advice to the contrary, Gerald decided to pursue his new viticultural opportunity.

Today there are 2 businesses, 2 vineyard sites and almost 50 hectares of vines. Gerald's pastoral company G.S.Ellis Pastoral takes care of the sheep as well as half the vines; and Meadowbank Wines owns the vineyard at Cambridge (about 9 hectares), and about 16 hectares at Glenora.
   
Varieties First planting Cambridge Glenora GS Ellis Pastoral (Glenora) TOTAL Hectares
Riesling 1974 1.19 1.45 2.53 5.17
Sauvignon Blanc 1997 1.78 1.47 3.49 6.74
Pinot Gris 1999 1.39 1.26 0.50 3.15
Chardonnay 1987 1.15 4.55 5.00 10.70
Pinot Noir 1988 2.43 6.70 11.42 20.55
Pinot Meunier 1997 - - 2.13 2.13
Cabernet 1974 - 1.20 - 1.20
    9.02 15.98 25.06 49.64 ha
 

VINEYARD MANAGEMENT

Meadowbank has embraced the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in managing its vineyards. IPM is based on monitoring pests and disease levels and delaying spraying until these reach levels at which damage is likely to occur rather than spraying at regular intervals regardless of disease incidence. Low chemical input is aided by our very benign climate. Our long dry ripening season (Hobart is the second driest capital city in Australia) and low humidity significantly decrease the impact of damaging diseases and pests. Pruning is started in July to try and delay bud burst as long as possible, therefore minimising the risk of frost damage. Cane pruning is adopted across all vineyards. Besides Meadowbank's own vineyards, we also manage vineyards for GS Ellis Pastoral, which contract grows champagne varieties primarily for leading national winemaker BRL Hardy.

CLIMATE

Meadowbank enjoys a true cool climate. The number of degree days C [a measure of ripening capacity] ranges annually between 1000 and 1200 - this corresponds to the super premium wine growing regions of the world, such as Burgundy & Bordeaux. The two vineyards were planted to maximize the opportunities presented by Tasmania's significantly different microclimates:

  • The Glenora vineyards experience a large diurnal variation in temperature (warm days and cool nights) and are prone to frost in early spring, which can damage young shoots. Frost protection systems (wind machines and irrigation through special "flippers") have been installed.
  • The Cambridge vineyards enjoy a smaller diurnal variation (milder days and nights) - the moderating effect is from the proximity to the sea (Barilla Bay). The net effect of this appears to be that the Glenora vineyards provide fruit intensity and the Cambridge vineyards provide structure and density.