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2008 vintage report for Currency Creek (South Australia)

By Nathan Shaw and David Watkins
Currency Creek Wine Region Association

The 2008 growing season commenced with cool spring weather and relatively dry soil profiles. Early spring growth was somewhat inhibited by these conditions, however, warmer early summer conditions soon produced well-balanced canopies with excellent fruitset and bunch numbers across red varieties. Some of the white varieties produced below average bunch numbers.

The 2008 vintage was looking like returning to ‘normal’ after several condensed vintages, with the whites harvested under ideal dry and mild conditions. Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling looked particularly good and produced above average yields while maintaining excellent quality. Chardonnay and Pinot Gris yields were average but quality was strong.

South Australia’s record heatwave then precipitated the fastest red harvest in the region’s 35-year history. Currency Creek’s cooling maritime climate buffered the temperatures to some degree, and the timing of the heatwave meant that varietal fruit characters were well-developed before the rapid rise in Baumé levels took effect.

Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon yields were down slightly on average while Merlot yields were around average. From a quality perspective, Cabernet Sauvignon was the most affected and was harvested much earlier than usual, even while the whites were still coming off. Shiraz was less affected and Merlot less again due to its naturally later maturation cycle. Overall, the region’s naturally cool orientation has produced some bright wines with lifted flavour profiles in a season where these characters are generally in short supply.

A cool and wet finish to the vintage brought some relief for the later red varieties. Grenache and Petit Verdot seemed unaffected by the earlier heat.

As with all regions, the compressed nature of the 2008 vintage posed difficulties from a logistical point-of-view for the Currency Creek wine region but the end result has shown pleasing wine quality in difficult circumstances.