About Norfolk Rise

Map showing Norfolk Rise

Location

Norfolk Rise Vineyard is located in the emerging wine region of Mount Benson at the southern tip of South Australia. One of Australia’s smallest and most recently recognised wine regions, Mount Benson’s 500 hectares of vineyards are characterised by a soil profile of terra rossa soils lying over fossilised limestone and a close proximity to the Southern Ocean. This combination of perfect geology with a plentiful supply of pure underground water, and maritime breezes creates wines of great elegance and structure.

The vineyard surrounds the winery and all the fruit is processed on-site at Norfolk Rise’s state of the art winemaking facility. The proximity of the vineyard to the winery ensures that fruit is not only picked at the perfect time but the damage to fruit in transportation is limited. Delicate fruit flavours can also be captured and preserved, allowing maximum expression of varietal character. Using the best machinery from around the world the Norfolk Rise winery is able to produce wines that are a true reflection of the fruit from the Norfolk Rise Vineyard.

Vineyard Management

In addition to the help given to the vines by Mother Nature, the dedicated team at Norfolk Rise Vineyard employ a carefully planned “Block to Label” management approach to the vineyard. The vineyard has been planted in a manner that ensures each block of the vineyard is planted with the grape variety that best suits the conditions in that specific area of the vineyard.

With over 46 separate blocks in the one vineyard, a natural variability in soil profile, and a range of clones and rootsocks planted, we produce 46 parcels of fruit, all with their own individuality. This allows us the opportunity to create many different batches of wine off the one vineyard, leaving the winemaker with an array of options to help produce a consistent, high quality product, year after year, while still providing the opportunity to experiment and further improve quality.

Climate

The region is heavily influenced by a unique micro climate and the location of the vineyard allows Norfolk Rise to capture these unique regional characteristics and produce high quality cool climate wines.

The vineyard is located within 5 kilometres of the ocean and benefits from both the temperature moderation and natural sea breezes it provides. The ensuing sea breezes play a vital role in the reduction of frosts and disease pressure, resulting in higher quality fruit on the vine.

Soil

The Norfolk Rise Vineyard is planted on “terra rossa” soils that provides an ideal balance of nutrients, drainage and water retention. The “terra rossa” soils of the Mount Benson region lie over fossilised limestone; this creates a soil for the vines that provides fruit with a unique and elegant flavour. Further down, the Mount Benson region sits atop a plentiful supply of pure underground water.

Staff

Dan Berrigan

Winemaker

Dan grew up in Perth, Western Australia and at the tender age of 18 chose to move to Adelaide to study winemaking at the world renowned Adelaide University Waite Campus (formerly Roseworthy) where he graduated in 2003.
George Andrews

Vineyard Manager

George was brought up on a farm in the local area and initially pursued a career in the fishing industry which took him around Australia as well as to New Zealand.
Beverley Sandow

Lab technician

Bev began working in vineyards in 1995 and developed her interest in viticulture from there.
Matt Cooper

Cellar Hand

Matt has vast experience in winery cellars both domestically and internationally, and is able draw upon this experience to keep the winery running efficiently and smoothly, even in the peak of vintage.