Gemtree Vineyards

Gemtree Vineyards -- 2013 Growing Season

About

Come and relax on the deck with a glass of Gemtree wine and enjoy the unparalleled views of our vineyards and all the way to the sea. Sample our regional platters filled with organic produce from the Fleurieu Peninsula and peruse local artwork. We also serve organic tea, coffee, soft drinks and sweets and you’ll be delighted by our seasonal market stall of local goodies and produce from our very own home grown veggie patch. With a large lawn area for picnics in Spring and Summer and heating on the deck for Autumn and Winter, any time of year is a good time to visit us on Elliott Road.

Location Description

Located in the heart of McLaren Flat, South Australia.

Features

  • Growing better wines - naturally

Additional Information

  • Meeting / Conference Facilities:
  • Caves:
  • Wedding Facilities:
  • Picnic Facilities:
  • Dog Friendly:
  • Winery Tours:
  • Wine Tasting:
  • Art or Architecture:
  • Organic / Biodynamic:
  • Awards:
  • Wine Club:
  • Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:

History

The story of the Gemtree has grown to mean so much more than a fable shared with the Buttery and Brown children. It came from Melissa, Andrew and Mike’s passion for the environment and acknowledgement of the importance of the vineyard ecosystem. It symbolises everything that the brand stands for.
This is our Gemtree story…

There was once a tree. Not the tallest tree, nor the oldest tree, but a tree that had put its roots in just the right part of the paddock. Here the soil was deep and layered - sometimes hard and rocky, elsewhere soft and sandy - and the wind had just enough room to move, and even the rain - when it was kind enough to visit - would fall evenly and gently.

Because of its favoured position, the grasses grew tall against its trunk, and the wild flowers were easily encouraged to grow closely around it, and the insects and birds that looked to trees for shelter and for vantage, eagerly moved in.

One day a farmer approached the tree and wondered: “You do not grow the strongest, nor the fastest, so why is it that you grow the best fruit?”

The tree let the answer whisper through the wind in its branches: “If I am shown a patient mind and a gentle hand, if I am left to follow the rhythms of my seasons – to rest in Winter; to revive in Spring; to make busy in Summer; and to provide in Fall – then I can offer fruit that tastes not just of the ground upwards, but also of the sky downwards, and of everything around me.”

The farmer thought to himself: “This is truly a Gemtree – it takes only what it can give back to the land, it contributes to its surroundings, and it provides for those that live around it.”

The Team

About 3 years ago we were introduced to a Chinese business man as a friend. He was interested in purchasing some sustainable and organic viticultural land but after visiting the property he developed an interest in the Gemtree brand. He loved that we are a family owned and run operation with organic certification so his interest ended up leading to a joint partnership to set up a distribution network for Gemtree in China.

This has been a huge opportunity for our brand and for the whole region of McLaren Vale. The partnership is the result of nearly 3 years of careful relationship building but it has been very important to us that we maintain our core values throughout the phase of international growth. There will be no change in our wine – just more of it.

In 2013 Gemtree became the first winery in Australia to achieve organic certification status in China through the China Organic Food Certification Centre (COFCC). It was very important for us to be certified in China because we did not want to compromise on our fruit quality or sustainability.

As Mike says… “the lovely thing about this partnership is, it has not only allowed our business to grow, but to stick to the thing that we are really good at – super premium table wine.” This video interview of Mike recorded by the Grape Collective really sums it all up.

Practices & Techniques

Being a staunch consumer and user of organic products, Melissa advocated that the removal of herbicides and many synthetic chemicals from the vineyard would produce better tasting fruit and ultimately lead to high quality wines and she was absolutely right!

By introducing organic and biodynamic farming practices in the vineyard Melissa has enhanced the overall health of our vineyard ecosystem. Mike conducted extensive experimentation with biodynamic and organic wines using alternative winemaking practices and the result is the quality wines that Gemtree produces today. Great winemaking stems from the collaboration between viticulturist and winemaker, which in this case are husband and wife.

Wood ducks frequent our vineyards, they eat pests such as slugs and snails and their manure also makes excellent natural fertiliser for our vines.

Our Wiltipoll sheep are an important part of weed control in our vineyards. They shed their own wool, removing the need for shearing and making them more resistant to pests and diseases.

Alpacas are natural shepherds. We have 2 alpacas named Gus and Caruso, they protect our lambs from foxes. Their padded feet and gentle grazing minimise land degradation. They deposit their dung in one location and it serves as fertiliser.

We have bottled our very own organically grown Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It’s sold exclusively through cellar door and you can taste it on our platters.

We try to use organic, local and biodynamic produce as much as possible. We use organic fairtrade Ethiopian Sidamo coffee, milk and cheese from Paris Creek Bio-Dynamic Farms, organic herbs and greens from our own garden, Willunga Hills organic olives and Spice Girlz dukkah and Kassundi. And you’ll even find Lexie’s home made biscuits.

The garden surrounding cellar door is planted predominantly with natives and the area is maintained organically with no herbicides used. And we also farm an organic veggie patch next to the solar panels... the produce ends up on your platters.

Estate Vineyards / AVA

This was the first vineyard Paul and Jill Buttery purchased back in September 1980. Originally it was a 38-acre vineyard containing Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz with a limited supply of mains water. In 1983 they sunk a bore which helped improve the vineyard and in 1987 and 1989, they bought adjoining parcels of land (15 acres and 10 acres) which were planted with Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Over the years some of the original vineyard was grafted to a range of other varieties including, Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and then back to Shiraz. Even some Savagnin snuck in in 2005. In 2011, we commenced grafting Semillon to Cabernet Sauvignon and extensively reworked our old Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz vines. In 2013 Mataro was planted and in 2014 the balance of Semillon vines were removed. Work continues.

Gemtree Vineyard:

In 1989, Paul established 96 acres of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinot Noir vineyards in McLaren Flat. This area was dubbed Gemtree, which ultimately became our brand name and philosophy.

After purchasing the property Paul and Jill continued to purchase adjoining parcels of land. Today Gemtree Vineyards in McLaren Flat comprises 272 acres under vine planted with Chardonnay, Verdelho, Savagnin, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese.

Winery Vineyard:

When Gemtree purchased the winery in 2013, we acquired another 10 acres of vineyard planted with Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Zinfandel.

Be the first to review this item!

Hours

Monday to Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Address

67 Elliott Rd
McLaren Flat, South Australia 5171
Australia

Get Directions

Advertisement
Newsletter