Our Vineyard

ADELAIDE HILLS – SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Oue family owns 40 acres of vineyard in the Onkaparinga Valley, in the GI region of Adelaide Hills. The Hills are the premium cool climate area situated between Barossa and McLaren Vale in the same mountains range. Our vineyard is one of the largest in the Adelaide Hills and immediately adjacent to other outstanding Vineyards owned by leading Australian premium cool climate producers.

The vineyard is approximately 365m – 400m above sea level, has an annual rainfall of approximately 800mm and records temperatures that are five degrees centigrade cooler than Adelaide

The mesoclimate is ideally suited to producing premium fine wine as the cool temperatures promote late budburst and long, slow ripening of fruit. These nurtured grapes produce intense, pure fruit flavours for wines of a complex and delicate nature.

The Onkaparinga Valley area was recognized as some of the best land in the State of South Australia by the early settlers. The vineyard property was originally opened up by the South Australian Company in 1840. The first man to work the land was a German settler, Johann Köhlhagen whose home built in 1857, still stands on the property. The land originally farmed wheat, barley, potatoes and cattle and Johann first sold his produce at market in Adelaide in 1849.

Soil

The Adelaide Hills is a highly regarded viticultural area stretching from the Barossa in the north to McLaren Vale in the south. Our vineyard is sited in the Onkaparinga Valley. The area is characterized by ancient podzolic soils over quartz and schist laterite. Our property marks one of the boundaries between these 2 soil types. Our blocks are predominately brown podzolic clays over quartz subsoil’s and heavy rock. These soils are home to our Pinot Grigio, some Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and promote rich fruit characters, which tantalize the palate. The neighbouring vineyards are predominantly aged red podzolic soils over schist, a type of weathered laterite rock, more appropriate for Pinot Noir.

Wildlife Corridor & Water Catchment

The vineyard lies in the fertile Onkaparinga Valley with the Onkaparinga River traversing its eastern aspect. In association with the Onkaparinga River catchment, the past 8 years have seen the continued removal of exotic trees and weeds. Re-vegetation undertaken has included native species, particularly the local River Red Gums and sandalwood The corridor links up with other revegetated areas and the community as a whole works to re-vegetate along the river all the way to the headwaters

Fruit Quality

Fruit quality which is reflected in the overall quality of Woodside Park Wines, is of the utmost importance to the family. The family’s sustainable vineyard practices have been constantly applauded by the local grape growing community. As the vineyard has previously experienced heat waves, winemakers are amazed at how well our vineyard has coped in these conditions, producing superior fruit quality, so much so these vineyard practices are being adopted by the community.