Saint Mary's Vineyard and Open Garden: Ron enjoys the gardens and the wines of the Limestone Coast region in the South East of South Australia
On the western outskirts of that famous wine growing strip known as the Coonawarra - only a few kilometres from the historic town of Penola - the cabernet sauvignon grapes at Saint Mary's Vineyard turn a deep luscious purple.
It's clear that something agrees with the vines scattered across what were once sheep paddocks, a little more than two decades ago. In a cutting out the back of Saint Mary's, owner Barry Mulligan runs through his hand through soil that's nurtured and sustained some of the biggest and most famous cabernets in the world. Barry's own has taken its fair share of awards thanks to a very famous and unique soil profile.
Barry Mulligan, St Mary's Vineyard: "This is the terra rosa soil sitting on a limestone base. The ridge is the remnant of a fossilised sand dune system which dates back around seven hundred thousand years ago. "
The rich red terra rosa soil was exposed much later following a massive tectonic uplift. It then blew over much of what's now known as the Limestone Coast. And the roses love it too.
The winemaking is Barry's domain, but it's his wife Glenys who deserves the credit for the garden - helped by that alchemy of terra rose and limestone. The stately poplars and the impressive blue gum, which provide much of the formal structure for the Saint Mary's Garden, were planted in the 60s. Prior to that, sheep roamed up to the front yard of a property.
Scattered through the Saint Mary's Garden are patches of pink, deep red and yellow - all surrounding a homestead built of Mount Gambier stone back in the late 30s.
Glenys started her garden with hybrid T roses then spread her wings to embrace all the favourites of the classic English garden. But along the way has always maintained a passion for the most passionate of flowers - roses.
But the drought has hit the Limestone Coast like every other region. Even though many gardeners here rely on ground water - a lack of rain means many aquifers have not been topped up which has prompted Glenys to contemplate a Mediterranean change like so many other green thumbs across the State.
Glenys Mulligan, St Mary's Vineyard: "I am looking more at the Mediterranean plants and the drier plants. If I look back at what my grandmother did and what my mother did… they had plants that didn't need watering.
In the shadehouse Glenys has propagated a host of Mediterranean plants including an assortment of succulents. If you visit make sure you check out the veggie patch and a couple of characters who make the most of it - the pet pigs, Trouble and Strife.
Saint Mary's Vineyard is about fifteen kilometres west of Penola. Just look for the signs off the Coonawarra strip. It will be open as part of the Open Garden Scheme on April 19 &20 10am to 4.30pm. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
St Mary's Vineyard & Garden
V & A Lane
About 15 kilometres ex Penola
Open Garden Scheme
April 19 & 20
10am to 4.30pmPublished 13th April 2008
