VILLA
GRENACHE BED AND BREAKFAST
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VILLA
GRENACHE BED AND BREAKFAST
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LOCATION |
McLaren
Vale is situated in sunny South Australia on the beautiful Fleurieu
Peninsula and is noted for its glorious Mediterranean climate, magnificent
beaches and fine wines. After several years working in Saudi Arabia,
it was just up the road in McLaren Flat that Rita & Colin Neave
purchased their land when local identity Jock Tinlin decided to sell
Tinlins Winery& Vineyards due to ill health. The blocks were
too small to be included in the main vineyard sale so three blocks
of about 4 acres each were sold off separately, one of which the Neaves
decided would be a perfect spot to build their dream home, with attached
Bed and Breakfast accommodation.
Knowing nothing about the care of vines, Colin and Rita undertook a short TAFE course and gleaned knowledge from locals and neighbours.The small vineyard was planted to Grenache & Riesling, plus a little Shiraz to play with.The Grenache & Riesling are dry grown (no additional irrigation), but the Shiraz, being very young, needs a little water to get going. They work on a minimal intervention strategy - minimum fungicide and herbicide (undervine only) no insecticides & minimum fertiliser . The mid row is left to natural cover and mowed. 12 years later, the vineyard now produces quality Grenache grapes (purchased by d'Arenberg Wines for their premium wines) and a small amount of riesling which is also used by d'Arenberg in their 'Dry Dam' Riesling. |
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After
the 1994 vintage a part of the block was cleared to start construction
of their home, a federation style villa, built using modern materials
and incorporating modern facilities but still retaining some federation
charm. It was a family project, design was undertaken by son Gary,
construction and building supervision by sons-in-law Bill and John,
with electrical
and odd
jobs by Colin! Décor and garden arrangement, of course, by Rita
and daughters Maxine and Rebecca. The
modern facilities include geothermal heating and cooling and an
aerobic septic system that waters a superb rose garden. The house
took
twelve
months to complete with another six to make it suitable to accept
paying guests. Initially guests were a rare commodity but improvements
quickly came and occupancy rates are now always high. |
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How
to find Villa Grenache: Coming from Adelaide or the airport, take the Main South Road, then follow the signs to McLaren Vale. To get to Villa Grenache, travel through McLaren Vale, turn down Kangarilla Rd, past McLaren's on the Lake, bend left and continue towards McLaren Flat, and you will find us 500 m past Tinlins Winery on the left hand side. If you enter McLaren Flat you've gone too far. Look for the Villa Grenache sign and the roses in the front garden. GPS location:Kangarilla Road, McLaren Flat, South Australia. Latitude 35° 12 m 31 s, Longitude 138° 34 m 37 s Click on map for larger size |
| Villa
Grenache Lot 29 Kangarilla Road McLaren Flat South Australia 5171 Phone/fax: +61 (0)8 8383 0204 email:stay@villagrenache.com.au Postal address: PO Box 1259 McLaren Flat South Australia 5171 |
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