Filter reports by year

• 2015
• 2014
• 2013
• 2012
• 2011
• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000
• 1999
• 1998
• 1997
• 1996

2005 vintage report for Heathcote (Victoria)

The 2005 vintage began with a thoroughly wet soil profile as a result of good winter rainfall. However, those of us who rely on our dams for irrigation were left unimpressed by the lack of run-off these rains produced. The months of September into November offered average temperatures and rainfall resulting in good shoot growth and healthy flowering-the perfect powdery mildew conditions the only threat at this time.
During fruit set and up to verasion conditions returned to what we have become accustomed, extremely dry. Many of the grapegrowers who either do not have irrigation or are limited to less than four to five small irrigations a year experienced early and moderate to severe leaf loss as a result of water stress into January. In the first week of February more than 50 mm of rain set these vineyards up for a great finale, coming just after fruit set, so as not to permanently affect berry size and helping the vines through verasion. The only negative was reports of a small amount of berry splitting and a powdery mildew threat.
In contrast to the previous vintage in which hot weather was followed by more hot weather, most growers found this vintage to be cooler especially during ripening. As a result of cooler days and cooler nights the consensus was that this vintage was one of the best in years. At harvest there were reports of great flavor development in partnership with very ripe fruit and particularly good acidity. There were a couple of vineyards that were casualties of too much stress but most were over the moon.