In the middle section of the plateau, in between Jim Hardy’s block and the Domain Chandon Vineyard, is the Croucher Family vineyard, owned by Laurel and Kevin Croucher.

‘‘Our vineyard is about 7 acres very small compared to most. We have Pinot Noir and Reisling grapes all planted in 1990, the spacings were advised by experts back when vineyards were just starting up here, they are 1.2 X 1.7 between rows, in hindsight this is too close. Apart from requiring narrow equipment the vines produce well and have been in high demand since the beginning’’

At the top end of the plateau is the Burder Family vineyard - the highest vineyard in Victoria and one of the coldest sites in Australia.

Planted by David and Sharon Burder in 1999, the 40 acre site is home to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Gris. The fruit crop is partially sold to sparkling wine producers (Brown Brothers, Domain Chandon and Yalumba have all sourced fruit from this site) with a small selection being used for the Eminence range of wines, made on site by David and Sharon’s daughter Clare.

Jim Hardy, one of the world’s most respected viticulturists, planted this site in the early 1990’s. Jim says “we were attracted to Whitlands by its natural beauty and distinctive seasonal changes. We had been looking for a place to grow very high quality wine grapes, where their development could be quite precisely controlled by the cool summer temperatures and careful water management. The limited capacity of the red volcanic soil to retain much of the typically high rainfall plays an important part in achieving that aim.

The Celeste Vineyard is planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Traminer - it is currently managed by Al & Sam from Konpira Maru - who farm the site organically and make the wines with minimal intervention.

16 acres of Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio sand Friulano vines enjoy a northerly aspect on the northern end of the Whitlands Plateau. The vineyard was established in 1996 and has supplied the Holly’s Garden label since that time.

http://www.hollysgarden.com.au/