THE LANGHORNE CREEK REGION
The Langhorne Creek region is bordered on the north by the Mt Lofty Ranges, and on the south by the huge fresh water Lake Alexandrina. The region is approximately 55 km south-east of Adelaide (35º25º S; 138 º58ºE). Two rivers, the Bremer and the Angas, pass through the area which is prone to flooding in years with high rainfall.
Vineyards are planted on the slightly undulating plain, in deep alluvial soils. The rainfall is low and winter-dominated, whilst during the growing season, the proximity both to Lake Alexandrina with its cooling afternoon breezes, and to the ocean further south, provides a moderating effect on daytime temperatures.
Some vineyards in the region (including Temple Bruer) are irrigated in the winter by controlled flooding from the rivers. Drip irrigation is commonly used in summer to supplement the winter floods, with water supplied either by underground bores or pumped from the nearby lake.
The first vines in the region were planted in the 1850s.
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