Micro-management the key to vineyard success

摘要

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that what goes up must come down. Harvest bumper crops one year, and you get slim pickings the next. That's what your average Tasmanian Pinot Noir producer will tell you whenever vintage comes around. Indeed, many believe you might even call it a rule of thumb on the 'Pinot Isle'. Validation can be readily found among record-setting seasons like 2001, 2005 and 2008 and the corresponding low-yielding vintages of 2002, 2006 and 2009. That noted, Cape Bernier's Alastair Christie is not your average Tasmanian Pinot Noir producer. The story of his picturesque four-hectare vineyard overlooking Marion Bay in the cool south-east corner of the State certainly isn't one of vintage highs and lows. Crop production in this cool and breezy environment has always been a struggle for the one-time engineer, mathematician and government adviser.