Contact US | Copyright 2011
OUR WINEMAKER
Pieter Breugem qualified in Stellenboschunder under the highly acclaimed South African winemaker - Wilhelm Linde.
After a number of vintages at Nuy Winery, Pieter also completed three vintages in California at Sutter Home Family Vineyards.
Relocating to Australia, Pieter began with Houghton Wines before transferring to Stonehaven winery in the position of Production Manager. Pieter took up the position as winemaker at Possums Vineyards in 2008.
His experience in old and new world winemaking techniques is invaluable to Possums Vineyards as we seek to produce the best quality wines from
Dr John's vineyards.
Pieter Breugem qualified in Stellenboschunder under the highly acclaimed South African winemaker - Wilhelm Linde.
After a number of vintages at Nuy Winery, Pieter also completed three vintages in California at Sutter Home Family Vineyards.
Relocating to Australia, Pieter began with Houghton Wines before transferring to Stonehaven winery in the position of Production Manager. Pieter took up the position as winemaker at Possums Vineyards in 2008.
His experience in old and new world winemaking techniques is invaluable to Possums Vineyards as we seek to produce the best quality wines from
Dr John's vineyards.
WILLUNGA
Our Willunga vineyard is located on the fertile plains between the Fleurieu Plains and Sellicks Hills, McLaren Vale.
The soils on this vineyard vary from alluvial red clay to black cracking clay with pockets of terra rossaover Limestone.
Although each soil type contributes to the flavour profile of certain varieties grown on them, they all have one common trait - they are free draining. This enables an accurate control of moisture to the vines throughout the growing season to ensure a healthy and sustainable grape harvest.
The vine rows on our Willunga vineyard are orientated to maximise ocean and hills breezes. This not only moderates summer temperatures but also assists to maximise ripening with careful canopy management.
Typical Willunga flavours of dark chocolate, earth and spice are prevalent in our red varieties whilst minerality and tropical flavours are typical in our white varieties.
Our Willunga vineyard is located on the fertile plains between the Fleurieu Plains and Sellicks Hills, McLaren Vale.
The soils on this vineyard vary from alluvial red clay to black cracking clay with pockets of terra rossaover Limestone.
Although each soil type contributes to the flavour profile of certain varieties grown on them, they all have one common trait - they are free draining. This enables an accurate control of moisture to the vines throughout the growing season to ensure a healthy and sustainable grape harvest.
The vine rows on our Willunga vineyard are orientated to maximise ocean and hills breezes. This not only moderates summer temperatures but also assists to maximise ripening with careful canopy management.
Typical Willunga flavours of dark chocolate, earth and spice are prevalent in our red varieties whilst minerality and tropical flavours are typical in our white varieties.
OUR VINEYARDS
BLEWITT SPRINGS
This vineyard is located in the rolling hills of Blewitt Springs, an elevated area east of McLaren Vale and the furthest from the Sea. This region has the highest altitude, highest rainfall and coolest winters of the valley.
Our vines are positioned on rolling hills of deep sandy soils and are trellised to single wire in order to control the canopies to protect the grape bunches from raisoning. Deep sand is beneficial for drainage but also copes well in drought conditions and assists in light reflection during ripening. In wet years the crop must be 'bunch thinned' in order to increase concentration of flavours and control yield.
Distance from the ocean eases maritime influence whereas gully breezes cool the fruit which is always harvested at night.
The Grenache and Shiraz vines here were saved from the 1980's vine pull scheme and age up to 70 and 50 years old respectively.
Flavours of red berries, licorice and Satsuma plum are evident in our red wines whereas white wines from this vineyard are aromatic and fleshy. The tannin profile of our wines from Blewitt Springs is sublime and elegant.
This vineyard is located in the rolling hills of Blewitt Springs, an elevated area east of McLaren Vale and the furthest from the Sea. This region has the highest altitude, highest rainfall and coolest winters of the valley.
Our vines are positioned on rolling hills of deep sandy soils and are trellised to single wire in order to control the canopies to protect the grape bunches from raisoning. Deep sand is beneficial for drainage but also copes well in drought conditions and assists in light reflection during ripening. In wet years the crop must be 'bunch thinned' in order to increase concentration of flavours and control yield.
Distance from the ocean eases maritime influence whereas gully breezes cool the fruit which is always harvested at night.
The Grenache and Shiraz vines here were saved from the 1980's vine pull scheme and age up to 70 and 50 years old respectively.
Flavours of red berries, licorice and Satsuma plum are evident in our red wines whereas white wines from this vineyard are aromatic and fleshy. The tannin profile of our wines from Blewitt Springs is sublime and elegant.
ABOUT US
ABOUT DR JOHN
Dr John Possingham is a research graduate of Adelaide and Oxford Universities, holding the position of Chief of Research at the CSIRO (Australia's National Science Agency) in Horticulture for many years.
Dr John implemented the mechanisation of vine trellising, harvesting and pruning in Australia in the 1960's. His research techniques are used in wine regions all over the world, forever changing the dynamics of the modern global wine industry.
Dr John Possingham is a research graduate of Adelaide and Oxford Universities, holding the position of Chief of Research at the CSIRO (Australia's National Science Agency) in Horticulture for many years.
Dr John implemented the mechanisation of vine trellising, harvesting and pruning in Australia in the 1960's. His research techniques are used in wine regions all over the world, forever changing the dynamics of the modern global wine industry.
