Vineyard Stats

Vineyards

Bijou Estate was planted in 1998, on an "island plateau", 163m above sea-level.

Merlot, Viognier, Gewurztraminer & Pinot Gris. Lightcropping.

Planted in north-south orientation. 2m row spacing. Protected from prevailing winds the Estate is dry-farmed & frost-free by virtue of the geography & airflow. Age, vineyard conditions & clones consistently show wines of delicate power, complexity & fruit. Full spectrum acidity & tannins are typical in wine from Bijou Estate.

Six acres of highly loved & cared for vineyard, producing limited quantities of quality site-specific wine.

Making Aspiration

Planted by Kevin Fearon & Alexandra Johnston in 1998. Alexandra continues to run Bijou, with standards as fastidious & meticulous as the crankiest Burgundian or Piedmontese grower. No care is neglected. Without the aid of AI or expensive automation each - EACH - individual plant is hand-fertilised personally by Alexandra.

This care & passion extends to winemaking - Alexandra will decline to pick entire sections of the vineyard if she is unsatisfied with the quality of fruit.

Also of note is Bijou's desire to present matured wine. This stems from Alexandra's personal preferences & strong beliefs in the added character & complexity from aged wine, white wines in particular.

We’ve come to love Alex's wines, working at Bijou Estate, & getting to know this most passionate of wine people!