About Canonbah Bridge

John and Elaine McLaughlin and their son, Shane, operate the 10,700 hectare Merryanbone Merino and Poll Merino stud, located 43 kilometres north of Nyngan and 50 kilometres west of Warren. It is famous for its sheep and sells around 700 rams a year to clients in New South Wales, Queensland, India and Argentina.

However, they recently changed course dramatically and added a vineyard to their list of amazing accomplishments. It was only natural that they put the same tireless effort into establishing the vineyard as they had done in their other enterprises.

Shane McLaughlin, the vigneron, studied viticulture at Sydney University and did extensive research in Spain, Portugal, California, South Africa and Europe. Dr Richard Smart, the famous viticulture expert, accompanied him on his travels and, no doubt, was an excellent tutor.

When Shane saw how well the vines grew in the harsh hot summers of Spain, he realised that conditions in Australia were not so debilitating and it gave him the confidence he needed to forge ahead with his plans for his own vineyard. Such are the conditions of the climate in his newly-established vineyard that they have no need to spray the vines with chemicals, or insecticides.

The selection of Varietals was the first major task and then the canopy management. The varietals had to be right for the micro-climate at the location and so they chose Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Semillon, Shiraz and Verdelho.

They use drip irrigation on the vineyard, all controlled by computer. This is an environmentally responsible way to control the use of water. It also assists greatly with quality control.  With their 'Enviroscan' technology they are able to administer exact stressing of the vines at certain times of the growing season to heighten quality. This means, of course that there is a lower yield, but the quality of the vines is enhanced.

Chardonnay, Grenache, Mataro, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz and Verdelho are available on their web site.