In 2000 the idea arose of establishing a vineyard in the Boonah area following a six weeks long tour of vineyards in the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra, Yarra Valley, Canberra - Yass, Hunter Valley, Hastings River, New England plateau, Granite Belt and the Scenic Rim of Southeast Queensland. Over 70 vineyards were visited and very keen observations made of viticulture, winemaking and sales activities.
An analysis of the necessary parameters for successful winegrowing was made with the assistance of the University of New England and following successful soil tests the initial vines were planted at Bellbrook in August 2003. These vines were grafted Chambourcin cuttings procured from the Mildura region. Grafted Shiraz cuttings were planted in 2004 and additional Chambourcin vines were planted in 2005.
A total of 2200 vines comprise Bunjurgen Estate.
The vineyard is watered using a drip irrigation system connected to a deep bore, and the amount of watering is controlled using a water balance philosophy, which calculates the transpiration rate of the vines and the necessary demands of both growing and fruit load. This approach ensures optimal moisture and maximum water efficiency.
The vineyard has a modified Scott - Henry trellis system designed to ensure that the vines are provided with the best conditions to resist mildew and various other fungal attacks. Southeast Queensland has particularly high levels of humidity in the early mornings during spring and autumn as well as the classically high levels associated with summer rainfall and the storm and monsoon season. This trellis system, in conjunction with contemporary preventive mildew regimes, is a characteristic of the Bunjurgen Estate approach to viticulture. Canopy management is of paramount importance and great efforts are made to ensure air flow and sun access within the vine area.
The vineyard is protected from both bird and flying fox attack by permanent netting which has a hail preventive upper mesh to resist hail damage. The netting also provides a 7.5% shade factor, which allows berries to remain on the vines longer for ripening and produces a superior set of wine characteristics as a result.
Inter row strips are grassed to prevent erosion during heavy rain and all grass cuttings are mulched back into the vineyard.