Vintage Reports, Years: 2008

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2008 vintage report for Canberra (NSW/ACT)

By Ken Helm Helm Wines On behalf of the Canberra wine region Helm Wines located at Murrumbateman experienced dry, warm conditions from early February to the last day of harvest, then enjoyed 20mm of rain. The 2008 vintage was a record crush for Helm Wines (over 60t) which included 2000 cases of Riesling. The 2008 […]

2008 vintage report for Mudgee (New South Wales)

By Rosie Dorney Chair of viticulture sub-committee Mudgee Wine Grape Growers’ Association Inc. The 2008 vintage was a challenging one in Mudgee, but not in the way that was expected at pruning time 12 months ago. Availability of irrigation water was the major concern early in the season, but frequent rain from mid-October meant little […]

2008 vintage report for Orange (New South Wales)

By Justin Byrne President Orange Region Vignerons’ Association Inc. A cool growing season, good rain and a warm finish proved to be close to ideal conditions for the Orange region. As some growers put it, the 2008 vintage rebounded surprisingly well after a disastrous 2007. With the return to a cooler summer and a deeper […]

2008 vintage report for Hunter Valley (New South Wales)

By Patrick Auld President Hunter Valley Vineyard Association Inc. The 2008 vintage weather in the Hunter Valley was a test, but this winemaking area has variable harvest conditions from year to year, so it had not really been unexpected by the older winemakers in the community. The Hunter Valley had some interesting weather changes in […]

2008 vintage report for Canterbury (NZ)

By the Canterbury Wine Growers’ Association Inc. Overall, this past year has been a challenging one for many Canterbury growers. An October frost did some damage to vineyards without frost protection, and cool weather in February and in autumn slowed ripening in some vineyards. Harvest commenced in late April and was completed by 18 May. […]

2008 vintage report for Pyrenees (Victoria)

By Pyrenees Grapegrowers & Winemakers’ Association Like much of Australia, the 2008 grape harvest in the Pyrenees was early and compressed compared with historical averages. However, for those who did not run out of water it was a welcome return to above average tonnages and quality. Average autumn and winter rains during 2007 recharged the […]

2008 vintage report for Nelson (NZ)

By Mike Brown Chairman Nelson Winegrowers’ Association Inc. The Nelson harvest started about two weeks ahead of normal due to the long, warm summer. We had settled weather during flowering/fruitset, so crop levels could be termed ‘a nice average’, though some sites were affected by a frost on 18 October and, therefore, early varieties such […]

2008 vintage report for New Zealand

The 2008 New Zealand grape harvest rose 39% from 2007 to 285,000t. According to New Zealand Winegrowers 2008 Vintage Survey the jump is due to a combination of an increased producing area and favourable growing conditions. New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said the increased harvest was a “real opportunity to grow sales in […]

2008 vintage report for Tasmania

By Stuart Nettlefold Executive Officer Wine Industry Tasmania The Tasmanian vintage started in late February and finished in the first week of June. Yields were in the upper range with bunch weights appearing to be similar to 2004 and 2001, which should give Tasmania a record harvest of approximately 10,000t from 1300ha. Tasmania experienced clear […]

2008 vintage report for South Burnett (Queensland)

By Peter Stewart Clovely Estate On behalf of the South Burnett wine region Like many wine regions of Australia the South Burnett not only had to deal with the trials and tribulations of vintage but also had to contend with a feisty Mother Nature. The continuing pressure from the drought seriously impacted on water availability, […]

2008 vintage report for Beechworth (Victoria)

By Barry Morey President Beechworth Vignerons’ Association The year started with good rains at the beginning of February. This was a welcome relief from the two hot spells the region received, one before vintage and the other in the middle of vintage. Crop levels were higher than most vineyards expected due to the February rain […]

2008 vintage report for Riverland (South Australia)

By Cameron Hills Executive Officer Riverland Wine Industry Development Council Inc. The 2007-08 growing season presented itself as one of the most difficult experienced in the Riverland. The industry, recently challenged by winegrape over-supply issues, was next confronted with highly constrictive drought-driven water allocations, where allowance was lifted from 13-16% for much of the period […]

2008 vintage report for Pericoota (New South Wales)

By Michael Gray President Perricoota Grape Growers’ Association A dry start to the growing season, along with zero water allocation, meant that purchasing water was a necessity for growing grapes in Perricoota in 2008. This was an extremely significant cost, with the water price reaching more than $1000/ML at the time most growers were looking […]

2008 vintage report for Currency Creek (South Australia)

By Nathan Shaw and David Watkins Currency Creek Wine Region Association The 2008 growing season commenced with cool spring weather and relatively dry soil profiles. Early spring growth was somewhat inhibited by these conditions, however, warmer early summer conditions soon produced well-balanced canopies with excellent fruitset and bunch numbers across red varieties. Some of the […]

2008 vintage report for Geelong (Victoria)

By Margaret Ward Secretary Geelong Winegrowers’ Association Inc. Geelong experienced a successful vintage. Crop levels were generally up from last year with excellent quality. As has happened for the last few years, vintage began early, with some varieties finished by Easter. With the sudden onset of very hot weather, ripening occurred with a rush, presenting […]

2008 vintage report for Great Southern (Western Australia)

By John Sprigg Chairman Great Southern Wine Producers’ Association Vintage 2008 began early in the Great Southern, in the last week of February, as opposed to beginning most years in the second week of March. An early burst of very hot and humid weather seemed to signal most varieties to ripen quickly. Fortunately, after four […]

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