Snippets
February 2002

The non-chemical solution to the problem of snails: Happs Three Hills vineyard in Karridale

This Issue:
Organic Farming The insider view
New release The 1999 Three Hills Merlot
Super offer on Marrimee, our delicious Semillon Chardonnay blend
Events Choir amongst the vines, join us at our Dunsborough vineyard

Organic Farming.
Is your tucker as good as it used to be ? We all know about the demise of the flavoursome tomato, replaced by the pale imitations one finds on the supermarket shelves. I remember the tomato that mother used to get from an old guy in a vacant block behind the Swan Districts football club, when I was a kid in Bassendean. They were spotty of course, with yellow patches in the red but the flavour - magnifique!

There is a widespread concern that modern agriculture is getting too far away from the ideal of producing healthy flavoursome tucker and that organic farming will hopefully put things right. As a result, a powerful initiative called 'farmers markets' are gaining momentum across the Western World. They take people away from supermarkets to meet directly with growers. Consumers support these markets because they get to check the authenticity of what is offered and meet with the man responsible for the growing. Margaret River's second producers market will take place at the old hospital community centre on March 3d.

Where do I as a grape-grower and winemaker stand on these issues? Why is my vineyard so full of weeds? Why do I insist on hand harvesting the crop? Why is there so much green fruit being trimmed off at this time of the year a month to two months prior to harvest? Why do we still hand weed the young vines? Why am I building, at vast expense, a kangaroo and fox proof fence? Why do I minimise the use of sulphur dioxide and actually make a preservative free wine? Are all organic wines low in preservative? The answer to these questions you can find at http://www.happs.com.au/pages/organic.html

Release of the 1999 Three Hills Merlot
This month we release the Three Hills Merlot. It has a great depth and clarity of fruit expression, with a softness to drink young. It is benchmark wine for this variety. ( Mailing list / Cellar Door price of $36, limit of 1 case per customer ) You may order via phone at 0897553300, via a secure server at http://www.virtualcellardoor.com/cgi-bin/winemenu.pl?0200 or alternatively fax or post the order form attached. Read more about the grape variety Merlot and this wine at at http://www.happs.com.au/pages/3hillsMerlot.html

The Marrimee offer
We would like to make you a special offer on our 1999 'Marrimee', a Semillon Chardonnay blend; an attractive full flavoured wine at the peak of it's career and our biggest selling white wine. We've had three bumper vintages back to back and need to clear some space for new wines. Until further notice you can write in a price of $11 per bottle. Send the request by carrier pigeon, phone, email, fax or smoke signal and we will send the case to you freight free anywhere in Australia via Australia Post. Don't forget the credit card details and the delivery address.

Choir amongst the vines at our Dunsborough Vineyard
THE REAL SING, a choir to inspire in a concert entitled STAND BY ME, a celebration of the 60s and 70s. Saturday 2nd March, 6pm gather on the lawn with a rug, cushions or low chairs for a picnic with friends and taste the just fermenting juices, 7pm the music begins. Tickets $15 at the gate or $12 prior to the event at cellar door. Children and pensioners $10. Wine for sale by bottle or glass.

Have a wonderful summer. Hope you enjoy the read.

Erl Happ