Vineyard of the Year
Ngeringa are very proud to share that on Tuesday 11th of June Ngeringa's Summit Vineyard was awarded 'Vineyard of the Year' at the 2024 Young Gun of Wine Awards in Melbourne.
The prize was a deserving acknowledgment of Erinn and Janet Klein’s dedication to producing premium quality fruit and their ongoing commitment to biodynamic farming practices.
We were honoured to be a finalist for the Vineyard of Year award, amongst some of the best growers and producers in Australia today, and express our congratulations to all the other finalists this year.
Other winners on the night included Sheridan Alm’s of Starr’s Reach in the Riverland won the ‘Innovative Vineyard of the Year’. While ‘Old Vineyard of the Year’ was awarded to Andrew George of Yarra Yering, and ‘New Vineyard of the Year’ went to Adam Foster of Syrahmi Wines’ Home Block in Heathcote.
The Young Gun of Wine ‘Vineyard of the Year Awards’ provides an opportunity for the industry to acknowledge the important role vineyards, and sustainable viticultural practices play in the wine industry and its future. It also is a chance to celebrate the individuals and organisations doing exceptional things in their field (pun intended). The Young Gun of Wine awards have a particular focus on sustainability, innovation, and the pursuit of wine quality and healthy vineyards.
The Summit Vineyard
The Summit Vineyard was planted by Janet and Erinn in 2001-2002 and in many regards it is the heart of the Ngeringa farm in Mount Barker Summit, South Australia The Summit Vineyard is possibly most well known as the site where the fruit for Ngeringa's Single Vineyard Summit Chardonnay and Summit Pinot Noir is grown. However it is also notable for other reasons. Not only was The Summit Vineyard among Australia's pioneering biodynamically managed vineyards, but it is here that Janet and Erinn implemented numerous viticultural techniques, such as high density planting, which back in the early 2000's were on the leading edge of Australian grape growing.
Commitment to Biodiversity and Sustainability
Over the past 20 years, Janet and Erinn have dedicated more than 20% of the Ngeringa farm to native revegetation and natural regeneration. This work balances agricultural production with preserving native ecosystems, improving farm resilience and benefiting from natural ecosystem services.
The Summit Vineyard and surrounding areas are also home to a large native grass restoration project, recently featured on ABC’s Gardening Australia. Supported by Seeding Natives and EcoVineyards, this project highlights Ngeringa’s ongoing commitment to environmental care and sustainable viticulture.