"Nikau Farm is home to myself, my wife Hannah and our two children River & Rata. It is an expansive property of about 95 acres in the Baw Baw region of Gippsland, Victoria. It sits high on a group of ranges in a place known to the indigenous peoples of this country as ‘Tolone’

The country is a series of very steep hillsides descending into deep gullies with remnants of the old growth Eucalypt forests that used to spread across the land. The soils here are quite unique and are comprised mostly of compacted sandstone from ancient seabeds with a rich organic layer of highly fertile loam across the top of them. The climate is also unique having Mediterranean influences being in fairly close proximity to the coast whilst having relatively high rainfall and cool nights because of the elevation and exposure.

We have had custody of this property for 7 years now and in that time we have established large vegetable gardens, orchards, mixed grazing animals and flocks of runner ducks as well as chickens and other birds to increase the overall bio-diversity.

The property has two small plots  (0.75h each) of vines on it, both about 35 years old.  Neither of these plots (or the farm as a whole) have ever been subjected to herbicides, inorganic fertilizer or the like and have been farmed organically since they were planted. We have of course continued to farm in this manner adhering to strictly organic principles always with a philosophy of ‘less is more’. 

The fact these vineyards have never suffered herbicides is clearly evident as they have an abundance of activity at all times of the year. They are literally buzzing with life both above and below the ground. All of the work we carry out is meticulously done by hand, including all weeding and under-vine management all with fastidious attention to detail.

The vines themselves are managed intentionally to produce extremely small crops. Less than 250g of fruit per plant has been the norm over the last 7 years ! with this yielding less than 500 bottles from each site respectively." - the winemaker

This is is a rustic and bright Pinot Noir from their home vineyard. Ripe plums, fruit leather and barnyard-y