Peter Yealands manages just under 300 acres of vineyard spread over two properties in the Marlborough region, one at Grovetown, the other on the Northbank road, both planted in sauvignon blanc grapes. Situated on the periphery of what he considers a frost free zone, the Northbank property will also be protected from flooding with substantial earthworks.
"It's just one of those last areas where no-one had been, and once this is proven I dare say there will be a few more put up here. It will take a wee while before it is proven but I'm confident enough - otherwise I wouldn't have done it," he pointed out.
Peter feels the frost aspect will be helped by the proximity of the river edge with the boulders and riverstones acting as a heat sink. "The breeze that comes down is a warm breeze so hopefully we'll miss some cold air that way."
Farming contracting and the supply of aggregates to Firth Industries for their concrete plant are a part of Mr Yealands diverse range of interests and these activities require heavy machinery. He bought his first new tractor, a John Deere 6400 in 1995 off Graham Clifford at FMR.
"I traded in about 10 vehicles, all heaps, probably the most trades he's ever traded and it took up about ¾ of the value of the tractor," he said laughing. "There were trucks, postdrivers and bulldozers, no-one else would have done it except Graham. He did alright out of it and I was happy - I got a new tractor that's done 6,000 odd hours and we've never put a spanner to it, and it doesn't burn oil."
Today Peter owns four John Deeres including a six month old 6110, a 3 month old 6120 and a new 6220 series. He adds that he may have to buy 2-3 more in due course and wouldn't buy anything other than a green one. "My view is that when you get onto a good thing, you stay on it. They're economical and responsive, and these Quicke loaders leave the others for dead, these here are fast."
