Our Vineyards

Gemtree Vineyards has two vineyards. Tatachilla Road behind the township of McLaren Vale and the Gemtree Vineyard in the foothills near McLaren Flat.

Tatachilla Road Vineyard
In September 1980 Paul and Jill Buttery purchased their first vineyard on Tatachilla Road; a 38-acre vineyard comprising Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz with a limited supply of mains water.

In 1983 they sunk a bore which helped improve the vineyard and then in 1987 and 1989 bought adjoining parcels of land (15 acres & 10 acres) which were planted with Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Over the years some of the original vineyard was grafted to Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The Sauvignon Blanc has since been converted back to Shiraz and in 2006 the Chardonnay was removed and replaced with 3 different clones of Shiraz. 2005 and 2006 saw some Cabernet Sauvignon grafted over to Albarino (a Spanish white variety).

Gemtree Vineyard
Having established a vineyard management business in the area called The Terraces, Paul was engaged to establish a new vineyard in the McLaren Flat region for a group known as Viticulture 2000 Trust set up by Brian McGuigan. This property was known as Gemtree and 96 acres of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinot Noir were planted in 1989.

In 1991 the Gemtree property was put on the market and Paul and Jill purchased it. Since then they have purchased adjoining parcels of land planting vines on it. Today Gemtree Vineyards in McLaren Flat comprises 260 acres under vine planted with Chardonnay, Verdelho, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese.

Philosophy
In the vineyard, Melissa allows the vines to achieve their natural balance. An integrated pest management program encompassing minimal sprays, and canopy management, encouraging air flow and sunlight exposure, assists in prevention of disease and promotes fruit quality.

The use of organic and straw mulches combined with soil moisture monitoring technology, minimises the need for irrigation and demonstrates Gemtree's commitment to sound environmental practices.

We are also trialling organic practises in our Petit Verdot, biodynamic practises in the Tempranillo, Albarino and Shiraz and the use of Wiltipole Sheep to help reduce the weeds and keep the grass mown around the place.

Gemtree Wetlands
Since 1998 we have been developing the 10 ha Gemtree Wetlands in the heart of our Gemtree vineyard.

Having created 6 dams and planted 20,000 native trees and plants we are now working in partnership with Greening Australia creating an area of biodiversity which is a major haven for native plants, frogs, birds and animals as well as being a great teaching resource for the community.

These award winning initiatives from Melissa and her team ensure Gemtree remains at the forefront of sustainable agricultural practice.