Two Dorks Estate
	PO Box 19204, Southbank, Vic 3006
	Heathcote
	0409 134 332
	Mark Bladon
	2001
	44
	2 ha

Owners Mark Bladon and 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 2 ha 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 much TLC and that sense of humour. The vineyard is predominantly shiraz, with a patch of viognier and 0.5 ha of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Says Mark, ‘The merlot doesn’t like the area and the conditions much, I fear; although while it’s growing I don’t have the heart to dig it up.’ That said, replanting will be with shiraz. The first tiny crop (‘barely sufficient to bother, really’) came in 2008, and was not put in oak. Mark thinks that Heathcote wines can often be too extracted and overoaked, and while future vintages will be matured in new and used French oak, the aim will be for a medium-bodied wine with restrained alcohol.