Maddens Rise Wines
Back Block vineyard
Maddens Rise Vineyard started with the purchase of about 40 acres of pasture with a small dam in 1994. The land fronts Maddens Lane. A substantial dam was added and preparatory work undertaken before the first vines were planted. All vines are planted on their own roots and the VSP (or 'vertical shoot positioning') trellising system is used, with a mix of spur and cane pruning.
All plantings are in rows with 2.4 meter spacings, with vines 2.0 metres apart. This planting symmetry allows each vine a growing area of 2.0 metre by 2.4 metre (close to a square).
In 1996, Chardonnay (clone I10V1) and Pinot Noir (clone MV6) were planted at the western end of this block. North-south rows were used and rye grass was planted in the inter-row areas. In 1997, plantings occurred in east-west rows in the middle of this block (due to the topography of the land). The varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon (clone SA125) and Merlot (clone D3V14). The eastern portion of the block was planted with MV6 Pinot Noir in 1998, again using east-west rows due to the topography of the land.
Biological and organic farming practices are being used, with the vineyards transitioning from a more traditional regime relying on synthetic fertilisers and chemicals. We hope to greatly improve soil biology, to better utilise nutrients, suppress disease causing organisms, improve water efficiency and improve soil structure. Overall this will make the vines healthier, more 'water wise' and more resistant to attack from pests and disease.
Netting is used to deter bird damage prior to harvest. The damage caused by birds can be very extensive and nets are almost a necessity.
Our wine is made using hand picked grapes.
We are establishing small blocks of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, and will also be planting some trial rows of the following grapes to see how they fare in the Yarra Valley - Arneis, Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Garganega, Vermentino (all whites) - and Sangiovese (red). These are part of adjusting to new climatic conditions, whilst introducing greater variety for consumers.
Front Block Vineyard
This block of about 40 acres has frontage to both Maddens Lane and the Maroondah Highway. One of the Valleys oldest wool sheds is on this corner and can be seen from the Highway.
The establishment and operation of this block is largely the same as for the Back Block, with irrigation coming from the Back Block's dam. One important difference, however, is that all vines planted on the Front Block are grafted onto phylloxera resistant rootstock.
In 2000, we planted on east-west oriented rows, Pinot Noir (clone 114) on Schwarzman and 101-14 rootstock, Pinot Noir (clone 115) on Schwarzman, Teleki 5C and Kober 5BB rootstock, Pinot Meunier (clone H10V5) on Richter 99 rootstock, Shiraz (clone PT23) on Schwartzman rootstock and Viognier (Montpellier clone) on SO4 rootstock.
Planting continued with Chardonnay (Mendosa clone) on Schwarzman and Teleki 5C rootstock in 2001 and Bernard 95 Chardonnay (on 101-14 rootstock) during 2004.
We have recently commenced a small program to graft some Shiraz vines across to heritage Shiraz clones and some Pinot Meunier to Pinot Noir clone 777.
Winery and Cellar door
The large winery building is located on this block.
Our new cellar door has recently opened. Hours are Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm - or otherwise by appointment.
Location
Maddens Lane is one of the better known addresses in the Yarra Valley. It is on the right hand side of the Maroondah Highway (when heading towards Healesville).
Wineries and vineyards on (or just off) Maddens Lane include Dominique Portet, Yarra Yering, Warramate, Coldstream Hills and Tokar Estate.
Wineries and vineyards in the near vicinity include Domaine Chandon, Yeringberg, Oakridge Estate, Red Shed, Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander, Badgers Brook and Rochford.
Our team
Winemaker - Luke Lambert
Luke graduated from CSU's winemaking course in 2002 and gained experience in the Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Rutherglen, New Zealand, and undertook several vintages in the Barolo and Chianti regions of Italy before settling in the Yarra Valley.
Luke is a passionate winemaker with a strong Italian influence. His background, exceptional palate and sense of wine and winemaking, whilst ensuring he keeps his involvement in the natural process of fermentation and maturation of wines, ensures that his wines are food friendly and flavourful, without being overblown in alcohol, wood or 'sunshine in a bottle'.
Vineyard Manager - Stuart Proud
Stuart has been involved in the viticulture and wine industry for over 15 years and has a wide range of practical, technical and managerial experience throughout southern Australia, the USA and Canada.
In the last six years, he has focused on biological and organic farming practices, using natural products instead of synthetic fertilisers and chemicals. Stuart believes this greatly improves soil biology, enabling better nutrient cycling, suppression of disease causing organisms, improvement of water holding capacity and of soil structure. Overall this means the vines are healthier, more drought tolerant and able to resist attack from pests and diseases. By improving soil and vine health we all believe that Maddens Rise wines will have more depth, balance and structure.
Cellar Door and Sales - Emma Sanguinetti
Emma is a relative newcomer to the industry, but has extensive experience in hospitality, service and sales. Willing to turn her hand to anything, you may see her assisting with bottling, pruning or sorting grapes at harvest - but predominantly she will be the face of our sales effort. Once our cellar door is open (expected during December 2009), she will take charge of this, together with other sales and administration.
Vineyard Operator - Chris Hammond
Chris has experience in the industry that includes wine sales. He assists with all manner of vineyard and winery activities, and may be seen from time to time in the cellar door.
Proprietor - Justin Fahey
Justin's journey started in 1994 and he continues to guide the dedicated team described above, whilst performing his 'day job'.
Contractors
The nature of this industry is such that we rely heavily on contracted labour - predominantly for pruning, canopy management and hand picking. We also rely on Wallace Contracting for mechanical pre-pruning and harvesting, and other assistance.