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2008 vintage report for Padthaway (South Australia)

By Graham Kaye
President
Padthaway Grapegrowers’ Association Inc.

The 2007-08 season was again a difficult one in that, after a winter of reasonable rainfall, there was a continuation of drought conditions through summer and then a prolonged period of particularly hot weather in early March that impacted on fruit maturity.

Winter was relatively mild with temperatures being slightly above average. There was good rainfall recorded through winter, continuing into spring. In early spring there were a couple of light frosts that resulted in a little damage to a couple of small areas, but generally did not result in any significant crop loss in the district.

In late spring and early summer, average maximum temperatures were a degree or two above average, ideal conditions for early vegetative growth and fruitset. There were a couple of hot days experienced in December and January, with average minimum temperatures close to normal. These conditions were ideal for the developing fruit. February was somewhat cooler than average and this provided a perfect start for vintage. Early March turned very warm to hot and these conditions hastened fruit maturity significantly. Adequate supplies of irrigation water were available for all irrigators throughout the season. The start of vintage was a few days earlier than last year when Pinot Noir was harvested for sparkling base. Vintage had concluded for most viticulturists by the end of March, some two to three weeks earlier than normal. There was some fruit for dry table wine remaining to be harvested in the first week of April and some of this was not harvested until the middle of the month. Fruit quality has generally been very good and some excellent wines, both red and white, have been produced. The very hot conditions in early March hastened the ripening of fruit and there was an intensive period of harvesting as vineyards and wineries sought to harvest at optimum maturity.