Two Dorks Estate

Owners Mark Bladon and wife Nektaria Achimastos (described by Mark as ‘Vineyard Goddess') have an exceptionally keen sense of humour. Having chosen a site in the southern end of Heathcote off the Cambrian soil (‘In truth, the land in the area is not the best,' Mark admits), they planted 2ha of dry-grown vines in 2001. The ensuing seven years of drought meant that development of the vines has been painstakingly slow, and simultaneously demanding of much TLC and that sense of humour. The vineyard is predominantly shiraz, with a patch of viognier and 0.5ha of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The frost, drought, fire and brimstone of '09 meant no estate-grown wine from that year, and all replacement vines iwere shiraz. Mark has given the Vineyard Goddess a yellow card, but acknowledges that ‘to be fair, even Jesus - an acknowledged miracle worker, wine-wise - needed water to make the stuff!' -JAMES HALLIDAY