Sapling Yard

The Sapling Yard Story. On returning to Australia Carla developed her career and became a Clinical Research Associate, specialising in pharmaceutical clinical trials, of which she is still involved in today. In 1997 Carla began a Wine Science degree at Charles Sturt University and completed her last residential school in 2004 with 9 week old Mia in tow. Whilst completing her degree, Carla worked vintages in both the Hunter Valley, Orange NSW, The Macedon Ranges and the Willamett Valley in Oregon USA.Carla and Andrew Bennett planted a small vineyard at Charleys’ Forest, Braidwood in 2008, The Vineyard has pinot noir (clones MV6, 777 ) riesling (Yalumba and UC Davis clones), Pinot Blanc, Gamay and a small experimental block of tempranillo. At 650 metres above sea level, the property captures breathtaking views of the Budawang Range. Sapling Yard Creek flows across the vineyard, which as the name suggests, is heavily populated with Eucalyptus saplings.It was a tough beginning, having planted in a drought and caught out in the Albarino savignin fiasco, 660 albarino vines were planted only to discover that they were actually the variety savignin. The team have since had to remove these vines and replanted with pinot blanc which is an interesting and underrated variety planted widely in the Alsace Region in France and also in Oregon in the USA. The first vintage was picked in 2012 and in 2014 we produced our first wine from the Braidwood vineyard, sourcing the best fruit from the Canberra district.Grown in these inspiring cool climate surroundings, Sapling Yard produces wines of great flavor and elegance which reflect the natural beauty of the land. Our wines are made with dedication, precision, authenticity and passion, which is clearly displayed in the quality of the wine. We love what we do, and it shows across our range of wines, all with character and of superior quality.