DJ's Growers - McLaren Vale

15/06/2026

McLaren Vale DJ's will be shut until 10:30am on Wednesday. Sorry for any inconvenience.

15/06/2026

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK.

We have only ten places left for our Future Crops Day next Wednesday (June 24th).

Booking link in comments.

11/06/2026

By popular demand YOU’VE asked to see more of what the region was like in the 1930s, almost 100 years ago.

Can you guess this iconic McLaren Vale farm and winery?

There are three future cellar door sites in this one image… plus some more to be built!

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

DJ's Grower Services is pleased to announce its paid intern programme, offering 4-5 positions to qualified Horticulture/Viticulture undergraduate and post-graduate students each Spring and Summer. As a leading Agronomy services provider, we seek Interns with practical experience and a deep understanding of the local wine and horticultural community.

Ideal candidates will possess attributes such as a strong career ambition in Horticulture/Viticulture, excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. The internship commences in September 2026 and requires availability for 2-3 days per week, Monday to Friday.

We invite motivated Students, or early career professionals, to submit their CV and cover letter by July 4, 2026, to be considered for an interview in July.

Applications can be sent to James Hook, [email protected], Matthew Wilson, [email protected], or Jen Pedder, [email protected]

09/06/2026

DYK? Tractors were not common in local viticulture until after the Second World War, and trucks were rarely used for transport until the 1940s.

There were a few “types” of horse - those for draught hauling, light transport and riding, and “in vineyard” work.

Check out builds on the draught horses in the 1920s.

09/06/2026

Winter Weather Watch

Most of inland Australia is unusually green for this time of year following widespread rainfall over the past 12 months. In some regions, rivers and creeks are still flowing into Lake Eyre, while soil moisture reserves remain well above average.

This widespread vegetation growth is more than just a nice view from the highway. Green landscapes and moist soils increase evaporation and help recycle moisture back into the atmosphere, potentially supporting further rainfall events.

At the same time, climate models continue to indicate the development of an El Niño pattern in the Pacific Ocean. Traditionally, El Niño is associated with below-average rainfall across southern Australia, particularly during spring.

So who wins?

For June at least, the green continent appears to be holding its own. Rainfall events have continued across many agricultural regions despite increasing discussion around El Niño. A favourable Indian Ocean and high soil moisture levels are helping to offset some of the drying influence that may develop later in the year.

For McLaren Vale growers, every rainfall event this winter helps build valuable soil moisture reserves ahead of spring. The more moisture we can store now, the better positioned vineyards and crops will be should a drier pattern emerge later in the season.

Winter is only just getting started. It will be fascinating to watch whether Australia’s wet landscape and supportive ocean patterns can continue to challenge the developing El Niño through the months ahead.

03/06/2026

Behind the scenes:

Getting more than 100 farmers and supporting community in the same place at the same time is no easy task.

We already have 52 RSVPs for the Future Crops McLaren Vale Forum, and there are still three weeks until the event. At the current rate, we’re on track to reach the magic 100-attendee mark.

The strong response highlights the growing interest in alternative crops, diversification opportunities, and the future of farming in the region. We look forward to bringing growers, industry experts, and innovators together for what promises to be a valuable discussion.

This event is partly supported by the Innovation At Work project LP20000 which is funded through Hort Innovation Frontiers, with co-investment from Elders and contributions from the Australian Government.

02/06/2026

Did you know?

Some off cuts from our history of farming series...

McLaren Vale School, pictured in 1910 by E.L Fidge, is now the RSL...