Big Decisions For Big Hearted Wines
Welshman’s Reef winemaker, Ron Snepp, has experienced first-hand how difficult adapting to a changing climate can be. Ron said climate change has altered the growing schedule of his fruit, resulting in shorter and earlier harvesting periods.
To combat these changes, Ron invested in more refrigeration, storage, and manpower. Faced with a higher workload and operational costs during harvest, Ron knew he had to better understand the long-term climate change impacts he would be facing Ron investigated the latest research on the impacts of climate change from Wine Australia and the Australian Wine Research Institute.
This research was vital in Ron’s decision to purchase land in a cooler climate zone in Smeaton, near Daylesford, about 40km south of his existing vineyard. While the vineyard will take approximately 10 years to start producing grapes it provides Ron with a safer, more reliable place to grow his fruit so that he has future harvests.
Objectives
We acknowledge and respect Victorian Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters, their unique ability to care for Country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices. We are committed to enabling self-determination for all Aboriginal people and aim to work closely with the Aboriginal community to drive action and improve outcomes especially in the context of a changing climate.