Vintage Reports, Years: 2008

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2008 vintage report for Canberra (NSW/ACT)

By Ken Helm Helm Wines On behalf of the Canberra wine region Helm Wines located at Murrumbateman experienced dry, warm conditions from early February to the last day of harvest, then enjoyed 20mm of rain. The 2008 vintage was a record crush for Helm Wines (over 60t) which included 2000 cases of Riesling. The 2008 […]

2008 vintage report for Mudgee (New South Wales)

By Rosie Dorney Chair of viticulture sub-committee Mudgee Wine Grape Growers’ Association Inc. The 2008 vintage was a challenging one in Mudgee, but not in the way that was expected at pruning time 12 months ago. Availability of irrigation water was the major concern early in the season, but frequent rain from mid-October meant little […]

2008 vintage report for Orange (New South Wales)

By Justin Byrne President Orange Region Vignerons’ Association Inc. A cool growing season, good rain and a warm finish proved to be close to ideal conditions for the Orange region. As some growers put it, the 2008 vintage rebounded surprisingly well after a disastrous 2007. With the return to a cooler summer and a deeper […]

2008 vintage report for Hunter Valley (New South Wales)

By Patrick Auld President Hunter Valley Vineyard Association Inc. The 2008 vintage weather in the Hunter Valley was a test, but this winemaking area has variable harvest conditions from year to year, so it had not really been unexpected by the older winemakers in the community. The Hunter Valley had some interesting weather changes in […]

2008 vintage report for Canterbury (NZ)

By the Canterbury Wine Growers’ Association Inc. Overall, this past year has been a challenging one for many Canterbury growers. An October frost did some damage to vineyards without frost protection, and cool weather in February and in autumn slowed ripening in some vineyards. Harvest commenced in late April and was completed by 18 May. […]

2008 vintage report for Pyrenees (Victoria)

By Pyrenees Grapegrowers & Winemakers’ Association Like much of Australia, the 2008 grape harvest in the Pyrenees was early and compressed compared with historical averages. However, for those who did not run out of water it was a welcome return to above average tonnages and quality. Average autumn and winter rains during 2007 recharged the […]

2008 vintage report for Nelson (NZ)

By Mike Brown Chairman Nelson Winegrowers’ Association Inc. The Nelson harvest started about two weeks ahead of normal due to the long, warm summer. We had settled weather during flowering/fruitset, so crop levels could be termed ‘a nice average’, though some sites were affected by a frost on 18 October and, therefore, early varieties such […]

2008 vintage report for New Zealand

The 2008 New Zealand grape harvest rose 39% from 2007 to 285,000t. According to New Zealand Winegrowers 2008 Vintage Survey the jump is due to a combination of an increased producing area and favourable growing conditions. New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said the increased harvest was a “real opportunity to grow sales in […]

2008 vintage report for Tasmania

By Stuart Nettlefold Executive Officer Wine Industry Tasmania The Tasmanian vintage started in late February and finished in the first week of June. Yields were in the upper range with bunch weights appearing to be similar to 2004 and 2001, which should give Tasmania a record harvest of approximately 10,000t from 1300ha. Tasmania experienced clear […]

2008 vintage report for South Burnett (Queensland)

By Peter Stewart Clovely Estate On behalf of the South Burnett wine region Like many wine regions of Australia the South Burnett not only had to deal with the trials and tribulations of vintage but also had to contend with a feisty Mother Nature. The continuing pressure from the drought seriously impacted on water availability, […]

2008 vintage report for Geelong (Victoria)

By Margaret Ward Secretary Geelong Winegrowers’ Association Inc. Geelong experienced a successful vintage. Crop levels were generally up from last year with excellent quality. As has happened for the last few years, vintage began early, with some varieties finished by Easter. With the sudden onset of very hot weather, ripening occurred with a rush, presenting […]

2008 vintage report for Great Southern (Western Australia)

By John Sprigg Chairman Great Southern Wine Producers’ Association Vintage 2008 began early in the Great Southern, in the last week of February, as opposed to beginning most years in the second week of March. An early burst of very hot and humid weather seemed to signal most varieties to ripen quickly. Fortunately, after four […]

2008 vintage report for Murray Valley (Victoria)

By Mike Stone Chief Executive Officer Murray Valley Winegrowers’ Inc. Despite everything, ‘it wasn’t too bad’ seems to be the consensus for vintage 2008 in the Murray Valley. It started ominously, with the zero water allocation announced on 1 July 2007 being the harbinger of a season in which growers were forced to make do […]

2008 vintage report for Margaret River (Western Australia)

By Nick Power Chief Executive Officer Margaret River Wine Industry Association The ripening period for the 2008 Margaret River vintage was marked by a lack of disease pressure, due in part to relatively few days of humidity and rainfall post-veraison. Overall, yields for 2008 whites were marginally down on 2007, but considerably higher for reds, […]

2008 vintage report for Robe (South Australia)

By Mick Quinlan-Watson President Robe Grape Growers’ Association The yields for most vineyards were close to the long-term average, bringing welcome relief after the low yields in 2007. The impact of the isolated frost damage that occurred early in the season was not as bad as first thought and significantly less than 2007. The dry […]

2008 vintage report for Wrattonbully (South Australia)

By Peter Bird Regional Viticulture Manager – Limestone Coast On behalf of the Wrattonbully wine region In contrast to the previous year, this season started with excellent budburst and strong early growth, a few frosts that had localised impact and otherwise fine conditions. Warm to hot weather and one key rain event dominated the period […]

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