Grape Grazing in the Yarra Valley
Love this cartoon by Matt Golding that accompanied an article in the Age newspaper of 9th October 2016 about deer damaging Yarra Valley vineyards.
Apparently deer have a taste for Yarra Valley chardonnay and pinot noir vines which they nibble on nocturnally. These frolicking, furry, four-legged grape-grazers have a penchant for Hoddles Creek Estate’s succulent young Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vine shoots. The deer inhabit the nearby State forests and their numbers are usually controlled by recreational hunters, but of late they have increased in number and continue to forage for food among the vines.
A friend recently purchased a vineyard in the Yarra Valley abutting a State forest and may be amenable to having a responsible recreational hunter visit regularly.
I’m looking forward to some prime, slow-cooked venison this winter paired with a Yarra Valley Pinot Noir of course!
