HISTORY
Robin and Eileen Blackmore are the owners of Stroud Valley Vineyard. They describe their grapegrowing as a "passion" which is driven by a desire to produce quality fruit and thus quality wine.

At around 6 acres, the vineyard comprises 3 acres of Shiraz, 1 acre Chambourcin, 1 acre Verdelho and 1 acre Chardonnay.

The venture started in 1997 with ground preparation and soil improvement using green manure cropping. Farming practices are, as much as possible, based on organic principles.

THE VINEYARD
The vineyard is around 6 acres and contains Shiraz and Chambourcin (red) and Verdelho and Chardonnay (white) grapes. All vines are grafted on to a rootstock for disease resistance. They were planted on 20th November, 1998. For those who can remember the rainfall figures, Stroud made the news by having the highest rainfall in NSW that day (120mm). Needless to say the grapes did not need watering in!

Drip irrigation and a VSP (vertical shoot position) trellis system maximises the exposure of the fruit to the sun. Depending on the season, leaf plucking and shoot thinning are also undertaken in an effort to produce quality fruit.

Because the vineyard adjoins a State Forest, there is abundant bird life – all looking for a grape or two in January and February! Netting is the only way to cope with the onset. However, Satin Bower birds have been known to wait for a breeze to lift the net.

Pruning and picking is done manually and is principally a family affair. Each vine is assessed for balance at pruning and again prior to picking. Bunches may be thinned early in the season to maximise fruit quality.