Filter reports by year

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

2011 vintage report for Granite Belt (Queensland)

Supplied by Jim Barnes, Granite Belt Wine & Tourism Inc.
Growing season: The growing season in the Granite Belt was characterised by persistent rainfall, lower-than-normal temperatures, some difficulty with flowering/fruitset in some white varieties, a high incidence of powdery and downy mildew in some vineyards and an inability to access vineyards to apply sprays at appropriate times. Excessive vigour in varieties such as Shiraz exacerbated the problem of spray application. There was also difficulty in ripening late varieties such as Cabernet. In whites, Baumes were low but flavours were good.
Vintage: Vintage got off to a later start than usual – by three weeks – and finished early.
Yields and quality: In general, yields were down by about 70% due to disease, poor ripening or commercial decisions made prior to the season not to harvest. Most whites, such as Verdelho, are of good quality, while the quality of reds is patchy.