General News
28 May, 2025
Playing the water game
AS the effects of an extended dry spell reverberate across the region, Mount Avoca General Manager of Winemaking and Viticulture David Darlow has discussed the mixed bag his business has dealt with in these conditions.
“We had a very good season,” said Darlow, beaming with pride when describing the latest vintage from Mount Avoca’s vineyard, “It’s been a very successful year.”
While the long-established cool climate vines have been producing abundantly for Mount Avoca, Darlow said it’s a different story over in the estate’s olive grove which has yielded no olives due to the unseasonally dry conditions.
“The olive trees produced seven to eight tonnes last year.”
Although Avoca Estate is set on 450 acres, the vineyard is strategically confined to a 60-acre patch to navigate through all sorts of conditions.
“It’s a water game” explains Darlow “We’re extremely fortunate to have a good water holding.”
“We’ve probably got enough water to see us through the next season but beyond that, it’d be tough without good rainfall.”
He credited the vision of John Barry who established the winery in 1970 including the development of Mount Avoca’s 100 megalitre dam which Darlow described as a feat of “quite remarkable engineering.”
Darlow expressed concern about the far-reaching effects of dry conditions in the region and credited locals for remaining positive through uncertain times.
“We really feel for all stakeholders in the region,” he said, explaining that all Pyrenees region agricultural businesses make a valuable contribution to the fabric of the community.
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