TRACTORLESS VINEYARD
Location
About
Why "tractorless"? All will become clear with our visit to winemaker Jeff Aston’s vineyard in Berrima. Jeff’s extensive experience in winemaking has included time spent with a range of Australian winemakers, as well as many visits to the oldest traditional wine making region in the world - Eastern Europe’s Georgia. Returning to Australia’s cool climate Southern Highlands (ideal for wines such as Pinot and Riesling), Jeff established his own vineyard in 2012 with the aim of making it as carbon neutral as possible, hence “Tractorless”.
Why the sheep?
The flock of Black-faced Hampshire Down Sheep forms a large part of Jeff’s aim to create a biodynamic and regenerative farming system. The sheep roam amongst the vines, controlling weeds, nibbling at vine leaves, thinning out the canopy (but leaving the grapes), fertilising the ground and obviating the need for any machinery.
We will be able to sample Jeff’s range of delicious wines and walk through the farm with him while he explains his vision and practices. His latest venture is the planting of trees to increase the habitat of the endangered Black Glossy Cockatoo.
There will be platters of food after the tour.
Why the sheep?
The flock of Black-faced Hampshire Down Sheep forms a large part of Jeff’s aim to create a biodynamic and regenerative farming system. The sheep roam amongst the vines, controlling weeds, nibbling at vine leaves, thinning out the canopy (but leaving the grapes), fertilising the ground and obviating the need for any machinery.
We will be able to sample Jeff’s range of delicious wines and walk through the farm with him while he explains his vision and practices. His latest venture is the planting of trees to increase the habitat of the endangered Black Glossy Cockatoo.
There will be platters of food after the tour.