Woodstock's
founder, Doug Collett A.M. discovered
a taste for wine whilst serving as a pilot
for the Royal Australian Air Force, and
the Royal Air Force in North Africa,
Syria, Palestine and Italy. As a
reconnaissance and fighter pilot in
Spitfires, Hurricanes and lighter
aircraft, Doug observed the vast vineyards
of Europe and developed an interest in
wine.
After
studying Oenology at Roseworthy
Agricultural College after the war, Doug
soon took charge of Australia's biggest
winery at Berri in South Australia's
Riverland. Doug developed a special regard
for the McLaren Vale region, its climate,
natural beauty, its full-bodied wines and
their rich middle palate
flavour.
The
Collett family bought the Woodstock
property in 1973 and quickly built a
modest winery crushing its first vintage
in 1974. Doug and Mary Collett's middle
son Scott took over at Woodstock in 1982
after gaining a winemaking degree and
varied winemaking experience in Australia,
Europe and California.
Scott
started the " Woodstock" brand in
1983 by releasing selected premium wines
under the Woodstock label. Tasting
success, Scott increased production and
sales and in 1988, Scott and Anne Collett
purchased neighbouring vineyards and built
the Coterie.
Believing
in the natural partnership between fine
wines and good food, the Woodstock
Coterie was built to serve visiting
groups of friends (coteries) with fine
food and wines.
Vineyards
- In the Vineyard. The aim is for modest
grape crops ripened to perfection to
maximise flavour. Control is the key and
the aim is quality not quantity.
Integrated pest management is practised in
the trend towards organic
viticulture.
Management.
Woodstock Vineyard - Scott Collett
personally oversees the management of this
vineyard and puts into practice what he
preaches "to create and preserve the best
flavours in generous, value for money
wines. This starts in the vineyard and
finishes in the wine glass and requires
attention to detail at every
stage"
Angas
Vineyard - manager John Pargeter is a true
innovator who utilises and adapts any
available technology to assist his task of
creating the best grape flavours possible.
Grape quality is controlled by managing
crop levels, (grape size, bunch weight and
bunch numbers) and vigour of the vines.
Canopy management controls size and
density of each vine's foliage
Wirrega
Vineyard - Shareholder Rocco Melino and
staff commenced planting the vineyard in
1994 with the help of shareholder and
viticulturist Geoff Hardy. Rocco's son
Gino Melino became the manager of Wirrega
Vineyard in 1999. As a director of Wirrega
Vineyards, Scott Collett regularly visits
the vineyard and monitors management
through the seasons with fellow directors.
The dividend Woodstock receives as a
shareholder of Wirrega Vineyards is in the
form of quality grapes for premium
winemaking.
Address:
Douglas Gully Road, McLaren Flat SA
5171
T: +61 (0)8 8383 0156 F: +61 (0)8 8383
0437
www.woodstockwine.com.au
