The vines are dry grown, and mulching with straw is extensively employed to retain moisture, retard weed growth, increase microbiological activity and provide a gradual source of natural nutrients, with the aim of producing fruit with minimal intervention by chemicals and fertilizers. This approach results in a relatively low yield of very high quality fruit.

The vines are cane pruned entirely by hand to retain 20 to 24 buds per vine depending on the vigour of each vine to ensure a balance between the vine’s vegetative growth and its fruit production. After budburst the vines are regularly monitored for threats to fruit quality. When the upwardly growing shoots reach 20cm in length they are hand positioned between a pair of foliage wires to prevent wind damage and allow for maximum penetration of sunlight into the vines to promote ripening and enhance the flavour of the fruit.

Petiole sampling is used to assess the vines’ status, and nutrients are applied according to the explicit requirements of each block.

The soil is aerated rather than cultivated as a method of maintaining soil structure and significant emphasis has been put into the planting of trees indigenous to the area to provide wind breaks, reduce the impact of monoculture and to provide habitat and a corridor to the Mt Ida National Park for native birds and wildlife.

She Oak Hill Vineyard works towards an Integrated Pest Management strategy and where it is possible, biological control of threats to fruit quality are implemented in preference to chemical control.