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2002 vintage report for Alpine Valleys (Victoria)

Budburst occurred in mid to late September following a relatively dry winter. A cool spell in early to mid October slowed shoot growth. Rain throughout October saw conditions conducive to downy mildew, although well targeted sprays quickly brought this disease under control. Dry and mild conditions prevailed throughout November and December, with flowering occurring in late November to early December. Most varieties had an extended flowering period due to cool, windy conditions. Merlot also suffered from stuck caps resulting in poor fruitset in some blocks.
Following the slowdown in early October, shoot growth was steady and consistent throughout November and December with trimming being carried out in mid to late December. Maximum temperatures in January and February were average to below average with very few days above 32ºC, resulting in the vines being in the ‘comfort zone’ most of the time. The dry, mild conditions through January enabled growers to implement RDI irrigation regimes during the post fruitset to pre veraison period.
Vintage commenced in the third week of February with grapes for sparkling wine being picked, and this timing was in fact close to average.
The first three weeks of March saw dry, sunny conditions with above average maximum temperatures. The below average minimum temperatures coupled with cloudless skies enhanced colour development as well as ripening. Major rainfall on 25 March resulted in a decrease in Baume levels, with most blocks losing one week’s ripening time. Warm, dry conditions prevailed throughout April, with the mean temperature being 2°C above average, allowing all varieties to fully ripen. The last variety picked was Cabernet Sauvignon, in the first week of May.
The dry, mild conditions throughout the season resulted in minimal pest and disease pressure. Thorough spray programs and canopy management techniques such as well spaced shoots, foliage wire lifting and crop thinning, which allows open and well aerated canopies, certainly assisted in minimising disease outbreaks.
The cool, windy conditions at flowering and the dry mild conditions in the ripening period resulted in smaller berries and lower bunch weights, which saw an average 25% reduction in yield. These factors as well as early cane maturation, good leaf-to-fruit ratios, above average March and April temperatures and optimal ripening rates resulted in grapes that were phenologically as well as sugar ripe.