Filter reports by year

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

2013 vintage report for Mount Barker (Western Australia)

While tonnage is slightly down across the Mount Barker wine region, intense fruit-driven wines are expected from the 2013 vintage.
This year’s vintage is one of the quickest brought on by the warm weather and dry conditions, according to Mt Barker Wine Producers Association president and Galafrey chief executive officer Kim Tyrer. By 15 April, some Mount Barker wineries had finished picking, while others were in their final days.
“In hindsight, it has been a relatively easy vintage with little pressure from disease or pests, and picking conditions have been good,” Tyrer said.
This year Galafrey started vintage on 20 February, with Chardonnay and Muller being the first to be picked. Both varieties were produced reduced crop size due to dry conditions and a hail storm, which occurred in late November while the vines were flowering.
Tyrer said the tonnage for Cabernet Sauvignon was very low for the winery and across the region.
Plantagenet Wines winemaker Cath Oakes said that overall yields are slightly lower but the quality is excellent.
“I am very happy with what we have – a standout for me is the Chardonnay, and the Cabernet we are picking now looks to have good intensity,” Oakes said.