News & Views

1. Low clouds, high winds and vintage in McLaren Vale

   

   20/12/2012 – At this time of the year grapegrowers are constantly looking at the weather. The pictures on this page show a common localised weather pattern in the McLaren Vale Wine Region. Locals call it a gully breeze.
   

   In this picture a strong breeze is blowing from the ‘range’ (the Southern Mt Lofty Ranges) towards the camera, while a ‘range cloud’ sits on top of the hills. These 'range cloud' conditions slow grape and horticultural ripening rates, in February, March and April, on the Fluerieu and at Kuitpo. The corresponding gully breeze is famous for its strength and duration in McLaren Vale.

   The technical name for this cloud formation and accompanying wind is 'Orographic.' Orographic clouds form when humid air blows over the top of the hill range. The air first rises to go over the hill range then, on the downwind side of the range, the air sinks back into the valley and warms. During warming the water droplets (i.e., clouds) evaporate into invisible water vapor.

   

   Humid air moves from the left, eg. Lake Alexandrina and Encounter Bay, is pushed up across the Fluerieu, until it rapidly falls down the leedward side spilling into the McLaren Vale region - right.
   

   

   It is fascinating to watch orographic clouds and understand that a single cloud is not hanging onto the mountain range. Rather the cloud is rapidly forming and dissipating at the speed of the wind as air rises over the mountain range then sinks on the other side. The parcel of air suddenly becomes visible as it passes over the top of the mountains and clouds temporarily form.

   
2. The Beauty of Agronomy

   At this time of the season, while wine lovers are getting ready for the holiday season, grapegrowers are busy tending their vineyards.

   One of their major concerns is keeping diseases, like powdery and downy mildew at bay and also establishing and training new vineyards.

   

   "Behind the fruitfulness are men of understanding and knowledge,

   and skill, men who experiment with seed, endlessly developing the

   techniques for greater crops of plants whose roots will resist the

   million enemies of the earth: the molds, the insects, the rusts, the

   blights. These men work carefully and endlessly to perfect the seed,

   the roots. And there are the men of chemistry who spray the trees

   against pests, who sulphur the grapes, who cut out disease and rots,

   mildews and sicknesses. Doctors of preventive medicine, men at the

   borders who look for fruit flies, for Japanese beetle, men who

   quarantine the sick trees and root them out and burn them, men of

   knowledge. The men who graft the young trees, the little vines, are

   the cleverest of all, for theirs is a surgeon's job, as tender and

   delicate; and these men must have surgeons' hands and surgeons' hearts

   to slit the bark, to place the grafts, to bind the wounds and cover

   them from the air. These are great men."

    John Steinbeck - The Grapes of Wrath.
   

    

   
3. Highland Fling Hear Them Sing

   The BordererS @ Cellar Door Sunday, January 8th.

   

   Lazy Ballerina is thrilled to have internationally acclaimed Celtic band The BordererS playing at Lazy Ballerina. $25 tickets. Your ticket also gets you a bbq chicken or lasagna lunch and dessert.  Music 1-4pm.  

   This will sell out. Bookings essential! Phone 08 85 567 085. Check out the BordererS Website - www.theborderers.com.au

   
4. Holiday Times, High Times, Tea Times

   

   Lazy Ballerina is pleased to announce we are offering High Teas all summer. Get a group together and joins us in the magnificent surrrounds of our garden. There is no better way to rest, relax and enjoy your afternoon.

   Your menu includes -

   Free flowing bubbles and free flowing tea 

   Sandwiches - ham and cucumber 

   Mini Quiches or Fritata

   Cream choc puff or chocolate brownies

   Cupcakes

   Scones with Jam and Cream

   Custard tarts or Vanilla slice

   High Tea is served -

   Friday, Saturday, Sundays and Public Holidays. 2-4pm.

   $35 per head. Minimum of 6 people. Bookings essential.

   
   Bookings and further information -

   Pat Hook 08 85567 085 or email James - james@djsgrowers.com.au