Vintage Reports, Years: 1996

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1996 vintage report for Tasmania

With a late start to vintage — mid-April — and picking expected to last until late June, Andrew Pirie, president of the Vineyard Association of Tasmania, was unable to report on yield or quality.

1996 vintage report for Swan Valley (Western Australia)

Yield was up 5-15% in the Swan Valley, according to Mark Warren, president of the Swan Valley and Regional Winemakers’ Association. He said the increase was unexpected after two tough, dry, low-yielding seasons, and was probably related to the excellent 1995 winter rainfall. Though February was hot, lead-up months were normal, Mark said. Quality was […]

1996 vintage report for Riverland (South Australia)

‘One of the best vintages in the last decade’ was the verdict from Bill Moularadellis of the Riverland Winemakers’ Association. He said yields were average to above average in most varieties. ‘As well, new plantings over the last few years are now starting to bear increased tonnages of premium varietal grapes,significantly improving total fruit availability,’ […]

1996 vintage report for Riverina (New South Wales)

David Hammond, chairman of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area Winemakers’ Association, said it had been an ideal vintage, with a 30% increase in yield on premium varieties, thanks to ideal growing conditions from flowering to harvesting. ‘This compensated for early frost damage,’ he said. Cooler conditions prevailed right through vintage, with very low disease incidence. Cooler […]

1996 vintage report for Perth Hills (Western Australia)

Yield is down 8-15% but quality is above average in Perth Hills. Regional Association president Peter Fimmel said that vintage started early on 15 January, and climate throughout vintage was very dry and hot. Bird damage was higher than usual. Sugar levels increased quickly and picking was critical. Describing the vintage quality, Peter said deep […]

1996 vintage report for Pemberton (Western Australia)

Producers in the Pemberton Wine Region consider 1996 will be a high quality vintage, according to regional association president Philip May. He reports an increase of 20% on mature vine averages and 50% on overall regional production. This is due to a significant increase in bearing area and high bud fruitfulness encouraged by the sunny […]

1996 vintage report for Murray Valley (South Australia)

A 20% increase in yield in the Murray Valley Region has been reported by Grieg Greenwood, executive officer of the Wine Grape Industry Development Committee. The crop was the largest since 1989, with production estimated to be 250,000 tonnes, 40,000 tonnes higher than the original forecast. Grieg said the yield increase was achieved after a […]

1996 vintage report for Far South Western Victoria

Vintage started on 24 March, 10-14 days late, according to Alistair Taylor, president of the Far South West Victoria Viticultural Association. Some varieties took two months to complete flowering, due to severe frost in September, coupled with bad weather-persistent south-easterly wind and cool cloudy weather-at flowering. Small tonnages of reds were picked with generally sound […]

1996 vintage report for Mornington Peninsula (Victoria)

Yields have been low in the Mornington Peninsula region, reports winemaker Kathleen Quealy from T’Gallant. A cold wet spring caused poor set and bunchstem necrosis and berry size and bunch size were extremely low. However, some very high quality white wines are expected, due to the cool autumn and very low yields. Kathleen said this […]

1996 vintage report for Adelaide Plains (South Australia)

Joe Grilli, president of the Adelaide Plains Region, was enthusiastic about his region’s vintage. ‘The slightly cooler conditions of the season played into our hands beautifully and 1996 will go down as one of the area’s loveliest,’ he said. ‘Canes and buds formed in the previous year were healthy and fruitful, there was no disease […]

1996 vintage report for Mudgee (New South Wales)

‘The best vintage all round since 1991,’ enthused Robert Paul of the Mudgee Winegrape Growers’ Association. He expects an increase in yield by 10 to 15% and very good to excellent quality. Robert said vintage started (early) on 8 February. Good rain in December/January had been followed by cool to mild and dry conditions during […]

1996 vintage report for McLaren Vale (South Australia)

A 10% increase in yield and prospects of excellent quality reds and whites are reported from McLaren Vale. Ben Riggs, winemaker from Wirra Wirra, said excellent winter rains and good weather during flowering and set, combined with last year’s low crops, had led to the yield increase. January and February had been warm to hot […]

1996 vintage report for Adelaide Hills (South Australia)

Yields are expected to be down by about 10% on last year’s large crop, with some losses due to hail and green splitting, according to the Adelaide Hills Grapegrowers and Winemakers Association spokesman Mark Whisson. Vintage started on 3 March and had not finished when this report was made. The later reds were starting to […]

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