Magic Three Rivers Single Vineyard in Eden Valley/Barossa
The
architecture
of
the
modern
two-story
estate
house,
which
is
surrounded
by
a
light
fence
at
the
driveway,
is
nondescript,
efficient
and
ecologically
elaborate.
Chris
Ringland
lives
on
the
ground
floor,
his
companions,
the
wines
including
barrels
and
technology
live
in
the
basement.
A
1.6
hectare
broad
strip
of
olive
trees
separates
the
building
from
the
vineyard;
against
any
economic
rational
Ringland
decided
in
1999
not
for
a
lucrative
expansion
of
his
vineyard
but
to
plant
olives.
The
two
reason
for
this
decision
is
prototypical
for
Ringland:
The
south-eastern
alignment
of
the
plot
did
not
seem
optimal
to
him
and
at
the
same
time
he
always
wanted
to
create
a
perfect olive oil for him and his friends.
From
a
distance
the
vineyard
itself
leaves
the
impression
of
an
expansive
front
yard.
A
hundred
years
ago
this
spot
was
occupied
by
gold
diggers,
however,
with
limited
success.
The
area
of
the
hillside
is
a
mere
1.8
hectares;
approximately
70%
are
covered
with
vines
that
are
more
than
a
century
old.
Over
the
last
ten
years
Chris
has
planted
about
half
a
hectare
with
new
vines.
The
soil
is
marked
by
podzol,
clay,
sand
and
red
potter’s
earth,
with
great
storage
capacity
and
minerality.
The
entire
area
is
covered
exclusively
with
Shiraz.
The
yield
is
small:
The
300-liter-Hogshead-barrels
can
be
counted
on
one
hand
–
usually
it
will
be
four
per
vintage.
In
addition,
there
are
up
to
three
barriques.
Due
to
its
geographical
alignment,
the
terroir
catches
a
lot
of,
though
not
too
much,
sun
and
mild
winds
usually
cool
down
the
vines
during
the
later
hours
of
the
day,
which
are
under
a
little
stress
from
the
southern
Australian
heat.
Despite
the
intense work in the vineyards there is a relaxed atmosphere on the hill.
Chris Ringlands magischer Weinberg