The Monument, corner of Escort Way and Manildra Road Cudal NSW 2864 The original concept for the Monument Vineyard originated in the early 1990s with a group of five Charles Sturt University Viticulture and Wine Science students. These were mature-age students, successful in their own professions who wanted to become seriously involved in wine growing. Economy of scale seemed to be the way to collectively achieve the individual goals of each of the group members, and so the Cana Viticulture Partnership was formed in which the investing partners have direct managerial control of the project. First thoughts were directed to cooler regions and the high altitude region near Orange in NSW. In recent years this district has developed a reputation for wines with intense flavours and complexity. In the 1950s the CSIRO established a pilot vineyard in the region immediately west of Orange in a slightly lower and warmer environment. This micro-climate offered the prospect of reliable and complete ripening of red grape varieties every year. The CSIRO wines showed great promise, but the times were different, and the research almost forgotten. The partnership became aware of land in the vicinity of Cudal, 30 km west of Orange. These were premium blocks amongst the first settled in the district and landmarked by the monument to Sir Thomas Mitchell who used the site as a starting point for his various expeditions of South East Australia. Investigations revealed an environment with great potential for large scale production of premium grade red wine. Well drained, volcanic terra rossa soil over limestone was matched by the ready availability of good quality ground water and so Monument Vineyard was born. In October 1998, the first 50 hectares of vines were planted. The remaining blocks were planted in 1999, resulting in a total of 108 hectares of vines. An experimental block has been established to trial new varieties, clones, root stocks and viticulture techniques. The 2000 vintage produced the first grapes from the vineyard. The quality of the grapes was excellent in what has been described as a generally difficult year throughout many other wine growing areas of Australia. These grapes have resulted in some promising small batches of wine. The vintages of 2001, 2002 and 2003 again produced excellent quality grapes of which 90% were sold under contract to several wineries. The remainder was made into wines at the vineyard in a boutique winery. It is sold under the Monument Vineyard label. Vineyard management, directed and motivated towards premium quality grape growing and the use of the most modern grape production techniques, should ensure excellent future vintages. |