Sustainability

Our goal at Fighting Gully Road is to foster a diverse and dynamic system, within which the vine is only one small part.

In the vineyard we undertake a low-input approach to grape production. We use no insecticides, and our fungicide selection is careful to protect predatory mites and other beneficial insects. Soil structure is maintained through minimal application of herbicide; soil cultivation is not practiced.

The inter-row is sown to a permanent sward of grasses and legumes, which are seasonally slashed and thrown onto the ground immediately under the vine, to preserve moisture and increase organic matter. Vine prunings are mulched back into the ground to degrade naturally. Machinery operations are kept to a minimum to reduce soil compaction and minimise fossil fuel use.

Our climate is changing, even here in the coolest reaches of north east Victoria. Progressively, we are modifying our varietal selection, too, to focus on varietals that perform well in the warmer, drier environment, rather than relying on irrigation.

It’s minimal intervention viticulture. We aim to maintain a smaller footprint by interfering as little as possible.