Vintage Reports

Filter reports by year

View Vintage Report overviews for: 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996

2008 vintage report for Yarra Valley (Victoria)

By Lee Duffy and Chris Messerle
On behalf of the Yarra Valley Wine Growers’ Association Inc.

This season has generally produced favourable growing conditions for vineyards with no major disasters. Early growth looked good and was well advanced due to the warm, dry, spring conditions. Most of the frosted vineyards recovered surprisingly well and favourable flowering conditions resulted in a good set for most varieties. Some timely rainfall (50–100mm) was a greatly appreciated early Christmas present for many vineyards that were running short of water. Rainfall was generally well below average for most of the spring and summer apart from December. Temperatures were again above average for most of the growing season which produced another early vintage. Some very hot temperatures in late December and January caused some vine stress and sunburn. February weather was dry and mild for finishing off early varieties. Wine quality for early varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir has been reported as very good. A hot March saw rapid ripening of red varieties and some vine stress became evident due to low irrigation water availability, particularly in the lower Yarra Valley. However, fruit remained sound and some good quality has been reported.

Sparkling base harvest began early again (early February), as did table wine harvest (mid-February). Overall, crop levels are good and production should be on or above average. Most areas had finished harvest by early April.

Powdery mildew has been a major problem again this season, mainly due to the warm, humid December weather, dense canopies, and poor spray penetration/coverage. Mites, mealybugs, botrytis and some late lightbrown apple moth have also caused some isolated botrytis problems.