Breakneck Creek Vineyard, McLaren Vale

Viticulturist, Ian Leask.

Breakneck Creek is adjacent to the Penny's Hill vineyard in the central foothills of McLaren vale, 4km to the east of the township of McLaren Vale. Planted in 1993 by respected McLaren Vale grape grower, Ian Leask, the vineyard benefits from all of the McLaren Vale climatic positives which help make McLaren Vale such a high quality wine region.
So: winter dominant rainfall, high relative evaporation, low relative humidity (which minimises the risk of moulds and mildews), frost free winters, the cooling influence of the ocean in summer, and its moderating influence in winter and warm summers for ripening grapes.
The site, as with the Penny's Hill vineyard, also derives additional cooling influences from the gully winds, which spring up in the evenings and come down from the hills.
At about 200m above sea level, the vineyard is located on a fault line, so there are various soil types present. There is mostly sandy loam over yellow clay, as well as some sand over limestone – soils are fragile and require sensitive management. By combining a ‘high-tech' water monitoring system, minimal drip irrigation and smart viticulture, these sensitive soils are a prime site for quality Shiraz , a fact Mr Riggs was very quick to recognise.

<<back