Welcoming visitors always provides a pleasurable break from the daily demands of operating a biodynamic vineyard, winery and cellar door. Few will be more important to our future success than those who came to Granton mid-year from the University of Tasmania and the Hobart campus of the Tasmanian Polytechnic.

Late autumn’s soil research program was conducted on the property by students from the University of Tasmania’s School of Agricultural Science. Head of School Dr Richard Doyle said the group’s soil mapping unearthed a complex web of data in relation to the site’s capability for growing cool climate wine grapes and olives. Perhaps the most interesting of the soil types investigated is a small patch of ‘terra rossa,’ the famous red dirt that underpins all of Coonawarra’s greatest cabernet vineyards in SA’s Limestone Coast.

 

It was great to welcome our visitors from the Tasmanian Polytechnic. Many of these trainees will go on to become ambassadors for Tasmania’s cool climate wine industry as the next generation of sommeliers, chefs and front office staff.

 

“It's such a great experience for our students to go on fieldtrips in the 'real' world to explore and to learn from people who have a great passion for the industry they hope to one day work in.” Anneke Tadema, teacher, Tasmanian Polytechnic Workforce Learning Team.

 

We look forward to developing further learning partnerships in 2011.