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2002 vintage report for Wrattonbully (South Australia)

Vintage was a fairly sombre affair in Wrattonbully with yields down on average by 50% on budgets and 60–70% on the previous year, according to Peter Bird, president of the Wrattonbully Wine Industry Association.
‘The drama started when spring temperatures continued through to January,’ Peter said.
‘The extended spring conditions created many problems including excessive vigour in Shiraz, protracted flowering, poor flowering and, in the case of Merlot, flower caps staying on the flower not letting stamens pollinate the ovum.
‘In contrast to last year, the mean maximum and minimum temperatures during October to April were very much lower than the averages, culminating in the coolest summer on record.
‘The vintage was a sombre affair, with hopes of reasonable yields evaporating every time the harvester started. Bunch numbers were well down, very light and incomplete, making the task of crop estimation challenging.
‘Some younger vineyards, and those who had left high bud numbers (60–80 buds/vine) were not affected anywhere near as much. And earlier flowering varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were not affected as dramatically.’
Peter said fruit quality ranged from superb to OK.

In June the The Wine Industry Journal surveyed regional winemaker and grapegrower associations listed in the Wine Industry Directory to compile this vintage report. We wish to thank those who responded to the survey and who submitted photographs for publication.