Our Vineyards
Tinhorn Creek sources fruit exclusively from its own vineyards: 150 acres of prime land on two very distinct benches. This land lends to the creation of terroir-driven wines that are classic illustrations of the place they are grown. The 100-acre Diamondback Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench is planted with a mix of red and white varieties, primarily with Pinot Gris, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The 50-acre Tinhorn Creek Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench is also planted with a mix of red and white grapes, but primarily features Gewürztraminer. Farming their vineyards using sustainable practices allows Tinhorn Creek full control over the quality of fruit delivered to the crush pad for each vintage.
At the Tinhorn Creek and Diamondback vineyards workser pruce using a “bilateral cordon, vertical shot position” training system. This means that two arms (cordons) split from the truck and the shoots are positioned vertically, to allow more sunlight to reach the grape clusters. It is fortunate that, on both the Tinhorn Creek and Diamondback acreages, vine rows can be planted in a north-south orientation.
Since the valley is narrow and runs north-south, it tends to funnel weather patterns in these directions. Rain and morning dew can accumulate on the clusters and cause mould to form on the clusters if not quickly dried out. The north-south alignment of the rows lets the wind blow through the rows, drying the clusters quicker and reducing the amount of fungicide needed in the vineyard. The north-south orientation also helps to ripen the grapes quicker as the clusters are more fully exposed to the morning and afternoon sun.
