Major Event Grass-based Access Road,
Crooked River Winery
Winery | Gerringong, NSW
Crooked River Winery is a family-owned winery that has won multiple awards for its premium red and white wines in over 24 years of production. The vineyard was established in 1998 and is located in Gerringong, NSW. It sits on rich volcanic alluvial soil with breathtaking views of both the mountains and the sea, thus providing a visually stunning environment for their guests.
The winery hosts events like the Winter Wine Festival which draws significant crowds with performances by iconic bands such as Amy Shark, Icehouse and the Rubens. To accommodate these events and ensure their property could support staging needs without compromising its natural beauty, Crooked River Winery looked to improve its infrastructure. The aim of the project was to establish all weather access for heavy vehicles that blended seamlessly with the vineyard’s visual landscape.
Crooked River Winery selected TRUEGRID permeable pavers after carefully evaluating all available options. The system offered ease of installation, the durability needed to support load-bearing vehicles for event staging, and a design that complemented the significant environmental benefits, minimal maintenance, and long-term performance. Alternative solutions fell short due to higher costs, complex installations, and their inability to align with the property’s natural appeal. TRUEGRID proved to be the best solution as it offered unmatched practicality, visual appeal, and cost-effectiveness to meet the winery’s needs.
| Client | Crooked River Winery |
| Type | Event Platform and Access Roads with Stabilised Grass Surface |
| Surface | Waterlogged Subgrade and Black Soil |
| Load Capacity | Event Staging, Heavy Haulage and Temporary Buildings |
| Area Size | 350 sqm |
| Product Used | TRUEGRID Pro Plus S Flex 48 |
| Time | 1 Month |
Project Scope
The Crooked River Winery required an all-weather access road and a level event staging area that would allow for the delivery of heavy loads and sufficient structural support for the construction of large stages whilst maintaining the grass in place to complement the current visual aesthetics across the vineyards.
The existing subgrade consists of waterlogged black soil, necessitating a solution that would ensure durability and structural integrity for long-term use in poor quality subgrade.
In conjunction with Aspire Constructions, TRUEGRID was chosen due to its cost and load carrying capacity identified through its fully engineered design documentation. The works were to be delivered in time for the Winter Wine Festival regardless of the weather conditions during construction. The ease of install for TRUEGRID without compromising the aesthetic landscape of the vineyard became key to the completion.
Challenges
| Clay-rich Black Soil | Waterlogged Subgrade | Load-Bearing Surfaces for Event Staging |
|---|---|---|
|
What makes good wine, doesn’t make good roads. The area’s clay-rich black soil presented severe challenges due to its extreme shrink-swell properties. The soil expanded significantly when wet and became rock-hard when dry, creating unpredictable conditions throughout the construction process. This instability made compaction difficult, leading to uneven and shifting ground that was hard to control as weather changed. Heavy equipment often sank in wet conditions and struggled to create level surfaces, increasing fuel consumption and wear on machinery. These difficulties complicated efforts to establish stable paths even during construction. |
During the construction phase in Winter the vineyard faced persistent rain resulting in a waterlogged subgrade. The layer beneath the surface was oversaturated and unable to drain effectively. This created muddy and unsafe walking conditions for guests, while also limiting access. Experience in the Vineyard showed that the compromised subgrade led to soil losing its load-bearing capacity and becoming soft and unstable which hindered the movement of essential equipment like tractors and sprayers. These conditions raised the risk of soil erosion and surface deformation, complicating land use and driving up maintenance costs for ground rehabilitation particularly when accessed by heavy equipment. |
The vineyard faced the challenge of creating temporary high-load surfaces for event staging. The staging areas had to support significant weight, and temporary structures, without causing lasting damage to the land. Complex load distribution was essential to prevent ground compression and rutting. The vineyard required solutions that would allow for quick recovery and minimal disruption to the landscape after each event to ensure that the ground remained stable and visually appealing. |
Our Approach
Why TRUEGRID Pro Plus S Flex 48?
After a review of various products TRUEGRID Pro Plus S Flex 48 was chosen by the client because:
- It seamlessly integrated with the vineyard’s natural aesthetics.
- It provided a permeable, load-bearing surface for heavy vehicles and event infrastructure.
- It was cheaper than the alternatives.
- It met the client’s environmental standards; and
- The construction methodology was simple to deliver in the time frame available.
Stabilised Clay-Rich Subgrade
The focus was to make practical use of the site’s clay rich black soil mixed with nutrient-rich volcanic alluvial soil that gives the location its unique character. Instead of discarding this unique soil blend, the strategy aimed to stabilise and integrate it effectively into the TRUEGRID solution.
The TRUEGRID Pro Plus S Flex 48 helps manage its extreme shrink-swell properties while retaining the beneficial qualities of the volcanic soil to create a solid foundation for the installation of an all-weather access without wasting valuable natural resources.
Implementation
The client engaged Aspire Constructions to create a durable and visually appealing staging area using TRUEGRID permeable pavers. Upon assessment of the clay-rich black soils, the contractor identified that while some sections of the soil were stable, others required removal to ensure a solid foundation.
The team began by removing the unsuitable portions of the subgrade. They installed a Bidim A29 geofabric layer to enhance stabilisation and prevent future soil movement. The remaining subgrade was compacted using a compaction plate to provide a stable and level base. This step was crucial in preparing a stable foundation for the installation of TRUEGRID permeable pavers.
Once the foundation was ready, the installation of the TRUEGRID Pro Plus S Flex 48 permeable pavers commenced. The team utilised a 5-tonne excavator and a Posi-track loader to position and secure the grids effectively. This equipment facilitated a precise and efficient installation process ensuring the pavers were evenly laid and tightly fitted. The clay-rich black soil was compacted within the TRUEGRID to support grass growth and provide a natural appearance.
After the pavers were installed, the grass was seed sprayed on top of the TRUEGRID. To ensure successful establishment, the entire area was thoroughly watered to nourish the grass in taking root.
Outcome
The client expressed high satisfaction with the project and rated it 10/10. The combination of proper site preparation, efficient installation processes, and the use of premium materials resulted in a surface that met and exceeded expectations. Crooked River Winery has affirmed its intent to use TRUEGRID products for future works, reinforcing the success of this implementation.
● Grass-Based Access Road: The TRUEGRID permeable pavers were successfully integrated with a grass-surface, blending seamlessly into the natural vineyard surroundings.
● Year-Round Accessibility Achieved: The completed surface provided a durable foundation capable of supporting flatbed trucks and heavy vehicles, ensuring reliable access in all weather conditions.
● Durability for Event Staging Achieved: The surface provided the strength and stability needed to support event-related activities, including heavy equipment
and staging setups.
● Client Satisfaction: The project met and exceeded client expectations, achieving a 10/10 satisfaction rating and establishing TRUEGRID as a preferred solution for future projects.
● Environmental Credibility: For this project the amount of HDPE industrial waste taken out of landfill was over 2 Tonnes, in avoiding the use of Concrete, it reduced the environmental impact by over 10 Tonnes of CO2 plus it reused the soil on site.
Why choose
TRUEGRID Pro Plus S Flex 48?
TRUEGRID Pro Plus S Flex 48 is the only permeable paver specifically engineered for commercial development and industrial-grade parking lots that can handle heavy loads, and high traffic and maximise land utilisation.
● 100% Permeable Paver
● 100% Post-Industrial Recycled HDPE
● S-Flex prevent cracking with the movement of soils and change in seasons
● X anchors leverage gravel to anchor grid
● Rated 25 tonne per axle
● Deep cells eliminate gravel migration
● Works with SuperSpot Parking Markers
● 40 + years, virtually maintenance-free