Interview with Colin Kidd [transcript] Interviewer: Rob Linn

Colin Kidd was born in Renmark and his father was a returned soldier who was given a 15 acre fruit block at Renmark. Sultanas was the main crop. His parents were David and Eileen. Colin studied at the Prince Alfred College for 3 years, then joined the Air Force. His brother organised him to be involved in the Coonawarra where Lindemans had bought Royal Homme.The vines had been planted in 1894 and others in 1922 and 1951. Colin started as manager and was responsible for vineyard development. The power was put on in 1969. It was difficult to get equipment and labour. Bought 1500 acres at Padthaway and developed it. Mainly grew Shiraz and later Cabernet. Fashions changed a lot in the 1970s and 80s. Lindemans was in the forefront technically especially when Leo Buring was the Managing Director. Colin eventually looked after all the company's vineyards. They were owned by Philip Morris America. Introduction of mechanical pruning. A grower needed to get 4 tons to the acre to break even. He was very involved in vine selection and initiated tagging vines and began what became a Vine Improvemennt Scheme in SA. Viticulture SA was transformed with the availability of treated pine posts, lifted trellises also made a difference, and the impact of mechanical harvesting

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