Let's take you back to where it all started.
In 1975, after a two year quest for the perfect Yarra Valley site, David and Catherine Lance ended their search. They had found a beautiful twenty acres of sloping land overlooking the Diamond Creek in the hamlet of St Andrews. The soils were poor, thin and riddled with rock. The elevation was high (200m) but the site was a natural ampitheatre, perfect for capturing sunlight without excessive heat. Even better, because of it's isolated location, they could afford it!
First they built their home, then the family moved in, and we began planting the vineyard in 1976 (Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon), adding more plantings in 1984 (Chardonnay), 1989 (Close Planted Pinot Noir), 1998 and 2003 (Pinot Noir). The winery was built just in time for the 1989 vintage, moving the winemaking completely on to the estate.
Punch began on 1 January 2005, when we (James and Claire Lance) began leasing Lance's Vineyard and Winery, Yarra Valley, from David and Catherine Lance. We believe that this vineyard has proven itself to be one of Australia's distinguished sites, and our aim is to maximise the quality of the fruit grown here. In the winery we do as little as is beneficial, endeavouring to minimise additions and wine movements, to keep oak in the background, to be sensitive to each parcel of fruit. We want the wines to tell their own history.
