Glenhope Vineyard

More from Glenhope Vineyard

The Vineyard

First planted in 1995, Glenhope Vineyard was established as a site to grow Bordeaux varieties. Under new custodians, the vineyard has been nurtured as a top, cool climate, grower vineyard. And for the 2022 vintage, they have selected fruit for their own label to tell the story of the vineyard.

At 94 acres under vine, it is the region’s biggest vineyard. It is planted to Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz. The soil profile extends from granitic at the elevated end of the site, to sandy loam, and an ironstone rich, volcanic loam on the eastern ridge.

The site is 450-485 meters above sea level with a sloping, mostly east-facing aspect. The cool site has large diurnal temperature range that means slow ripening with long ‘hangtime’ during the growing season, which stretches well into May. Since it’s in the north of the region, stable, ‘continental’ climate influence means optimal fruit ripeness, acid retention, and phenolic maturity.

The People

Entrepreneurs James and Marlin Gevergizian bought the property in 2021 as a rural retreat, but quickly fell in love with the vineyard. Already winning Macedon Ranges Vigneron Association’s 2023 Wine Exhibition: The Midland Insurance Broker’s Trophy for Best Red Other than Pinot Noir for 2022 Glenhope Vineyard ‘Granitic’ Shiraz and The Gordon Knight Trophy for Best Winery in Show. And they received a coveted 2023 Finalist spot in Young Gun of Wine’s 4th Annual Vineyard of the Year Awards.

James and Marlin retained Vigneron Scott Harrington, who had managed the viticulture since 2018. Scott has worked to improve the infrastructure, soil, and vine health, improve water security, and take best advantage of the altitude, aspect, topography, and granitic, volcanic, and sandy loam soils. He is driven to ‘let the vineyard tell the story.’

Over the past 25 years, viticulturalist and winemaker Scott Harrington has worked in Central Victoria, Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley, and Macedon Ranges, with stints at wine domains across Europe. Winemaking mentors Paul Bridgeman and Steve Weber helped shape his minimal intervention practices in the winery; let the vineyard express itself, aided by careful nurturing and observation.