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1997 vintage report for Mount Benson (South Australia)

This region had its first major crops this year. Mike De Garis, president of the Mount Benson Vignerons’ Association, said the region had a very dry spring, with unseasonal frosts in September and October. Then a very hot spell in February slowed vines down and affected yields. February’s temperatures were 3 °C above average and March’s 3 °C below average. Vintage started as expected at the beginning of April. Apart from the initial hot spell the weather during vintage was mild and moderate and the only disease noted was some powdery mildew. Mike describes the effect of the weather on quality as ‘excellent,’ with low yields of high quality fruit. He said the 1997 reds would be ‘very good’ and the whites ‘good.’ ‘This area has lots of potential if we get a “normal” growing season,’ he said.