Patritti has retained custodianship of the historic Marion Vineyard in the Adelaide suburbs.
Planted in 1907, Marion Vineyard is the oldest commercially producing urban vineyard in the world. Owned by the City of Marion, this historically significant site has been under Patritti’s custodianship since 2006.
In March the contract for its management was put out to tender by Marion Council with Patritti again awarded the contract for another five-year term.
Since managing the vineyard, Patritti’s winemakers James Mungall and Ben Heide have passionately worked with projects manager Matthew Mungall to reinvigorate the hectare of old Grenache and Shiraz vines, improving the quality of fruit they produce. This work has resulted in the production of a premium red wine, Patritti Marion Vineyard Grenache Shiraz, with the last four vintage releases awarded 96 points by James Halliday.
The latest tender also included provision to manage two other small but historically notable vineyards located in the City of Marion – at the Oaklands Wetlands Reserve and Living Kaurna Cultural Centre. Patritti has also been awarded the contract for these two sites.
“As the last remaining fully operational winery in suburban Adelaide and a successful business within the City of Marion, Patritti have been honoured to preserve and enhance Marion Vineyard for the last 13 years. For us, our commitment to these historical vineyards and the local area is more than just profit; we strongly believe that these sites need to be preserved so the visible link to the City of Marion’s pioneer history as The Garden City of Marion is not lost,” says Patritti managing director Ines Patritti.
“Vineyards of this significance need care and constant attention which Patritti can competently and willingly provide.”
Marion Council has committed to connecting each of the three vineyard sites to irrigation, ensuring the longevity of these vines and their continued productivity during low rainfall seasons. Patritti will perform a significant rejuvenation project at each site, reinvigorating underperforming vines, planting cutting material to replace dead vines and improve the aesthetic appearance of the vineyards. Each vineyard will remain open to the public, with the fruit for Patritti’s exclusive use.
“Marion Vineyard is an historical South Australian icon and should be celebrated and cherished accordingly. We are encouraged by Council’s commitment to these vineyards and are excited to continue promoting their significance to the local community, greater Adelaide and well beyond,” Ms Patritti says.
Tucked away on a quiet suburban street in Dover Gardens, Patritti is an historic winery and cellar door just 20 minutes south of the city and five minutes from the Brighton jetty. Established in 1926, Patritti is the last remaining 100 percent family-owned suburban winery in Adelaide.
The family own two exceptional vineyards in McLaren Vale and craft their most exclusive red wines from these vines. They also produce a range of traditional and alternative varietal wines from the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills.
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