Lansdowne Vineyard

Lansdowne's vineyard was planted between 1996 and 2004. It takes its name from the late Victorian house built at Forreston in 1896. Since the 1940s a 3m cedar hedge has been trimmed with ‘Lansdowne', creating a local landmark. Janet and Brendan Cameron purchased the house and existing vineyard in 2002, and have since retrained and replanted the vineyard to its current mix of viognier, chardonnay, semillon, pinot gris, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. Most of the grapes are sold, but since 2005 small quantities have been held for the Lansdowne Vineyard label. The Camerons are moving to an organic regime for the vineyard. -JAMES HALLIDAY