Piebald Gully Vineyard, Clarendon, McLaren Vale

Viticulturist, Ben Riggs.

Mr Riggs' very own vineyard, Piebald Gully is located in the cool subregion of Clarendon at approximately 265m, to the east of the McLaren Vale wine region. Ripening occurs at Piebald Gully sometimes up to two weeks later than in the rest of McLaren Vale, and the area averages some 30% more rainfall (700mm pa) than the rest of the district.
The subregion does get the best of both worlds, however, enjoying the Mediterranean characteristics of the rest of McLaren Vale, namely mild, wet winters and warm dry summers. Shiraz and Viognier from Piebald Gully is used in both the Mr. Riggs Shiraz and Shiraz Viognier.
Planted in 1998, vines are planted to a single cordon, some arch pruned and some spur pruned – both are hand pruned and managed. Soils are mainly deep sand over permeable ironstone impregnated orange clay.

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