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vineyard technique
Isabel Estate's terroir combines deep free-draining gravel with a narrow layer of calcium rich clay in the subsoil. The clay layer releases its moisture slowly preventing excessive water loss, reducing the need for irrigation in the hot, windy weather typical in the North-Westerly winds of spring and early summer.
In much of Marlborough, the water table is very close to the surface. In contrast, Isabel Estate's water table is sufficiently deep, beyond reach of the vine's roots, thereby preventing excess vigour in the vines. This contributes to the fruit quality, reducing the overtly herbaceous green characters associated with an excess of foliage and shaded fruit.
The tight complex soil structure and resultant low vine vigour has lent itself to low trellised, narrow planted rows, according to the traditional Burgundian practice. The Estate has over twice the number of vines per hectare than is usual in Marlborough. This allows for lower yields per vine, thereby giving the much sought after concentration and depth to wines that can only originate from lower yielding vineyards.
Sustainable viticultural practices maintain vineyard health and soil nutrition, using a combination of mulching and organic fish based fertiliser. The cool dry Marlborough climate means vineyard sprays can be kept to a very low level. Irrigation is kept to a minimum to ensure vine health and complete fruit ripeness.
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