Our Vineyards

Sustainable Vineyard Practises at Pirramimma

 

Early 1892 Pirramimma founder Alexander Campbell Johnston, journeyed from Adelaide to McLaren Vale by Rounsevells stagecoach to purchase land suitable for vineyards and farming.

He succeeded to acquire 240acres from the Stocks family adjacent to the fledgling village of McLaren Vale. Six acres of this land was planted to Grenache and 8 acres to Zante currants for table grapes.

ACJ selected this site for its topography-hillside location, fine red loam over limestone and ironstone, together with exceptional drainage.

The cooling sea breezes delivered from the Gulf of St Vincent, combined with diverse micro-climates and soil types has ensured an ideal environment for viticulture.

Today the Pirramimma vineyards are planted to 13 varieties and 33 blocks. In the early 1980’s current custodian Geoff Johnston successfully pioneered the Petit Verdot variety, as well as introducing the iconic Southern French grape Tannat to the region.

Pirramimma vineyards and winery are nestled behind the township of McLaren Vale, with Tatachilla Rd, running parallel to our ancient “Prisoner of War” Grenache block, which was planted in 1944 by Italian POW’s.

Our old contoured War Horse Shiraz vineyard was planted in the late fifties, in red loam over Pirramimma Sandstone, with our 60 year old low trellis Ironstone Shiraz block planted in sandy loam, over shallow conglomerate Ironstone and piped hollow Ironstone.

Pirramimma’s oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard was planted in 1967, using the famous low yielding Reynell clone, known as our “Orchard Block”, the 50 year old “Basket Weave” vines provide us with very robust Cabernet.

Using composted manures, humates, gypsum, basalt, microbes and nitrogen rich cover crops, we have embraced biological farming and sustainable practice.

Our mature vines produce outstanding fruit for us to work with, providing great varietal and regional characters, as well as delivering quality colour, structure and length of flavour in our wine.