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The Arrowfield Estate Vineyard was established in 1969 with predominantly white varieties. Of the original plantings only a few blocks of Chardonnay remain. Other varieties planted are Semillon, Verdelho and Shiraz - all eminently suitable to the unique Hunter Valley climate and soils. Fruit from the Arrowfield vineyard primarily goes into our 100% Estate grown Show Reserve range of wines.
The topography of the vineyard is a combination of eroded ridge lines and alluvial flats each with its own unique soil structure.
Soils on the ridges are shallow decomposed granite and sandstone over a sandstone base and are predominantly planted to Shiraz and Semillon, both vigorous varieties. This soil type helps control their growth and naturally regulate cropping levels.
On the flats the soils are mainly red/brown crumbly friable clay loams over tighter clay and at depth we have a base of sandstone and white shale. This is planted to Chardonnay which prefers the heavier soil.
The unique terrior of the Hunter Valley consistently produces premium quality Semillon, Chardonnay, Verdelho and Shiraz. However for other varieties we need to go elsewhere to produce the same consistent premium quality fruit we demand. The exiting new region of Orange in the Central Tablelands of NSW is a high altitude, cool climate region that produces premium quality Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The cool climate Shiraz and Chardonnay has completely different flavour profiles to Hunter Valley Shiraz and Chardonnay giving the winemakers excellent blending components.
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