After a fantastic winter in terms of rain and temperatures in the Yarra Valley, the weather improved for a timely budburst which rolled into a warm spring that was perfect for flowering. Julian Grounds, Innocent Bystander senior winemaker, said the vineyards were full of tightly packed bunches ahead of the harvest season. Were thrilled because […]
According to Rafe Nottage, from Tasmanias Bream Creek Vineyard, the vintage 2015 on 20 March when Chardonnay was picked from Block D for their Cuvee sparkling. Our cool site not only produces fabulous grape flavours but also allows the retention of natural acid which is vital for the production of premium sparkling wine, Nottage said. […]
The Swan Valley had an exceptionally good vintage 2015, according to Duncan Harris of the Swan Valley and Regional Winemakers Association. Warm spring weather conditions had vignerons worried the 2015 vintage may start in 2014, however a cool December brought the region above average, even-ripening yields. Harris said some growers reported an increased yield on […]
The 2015 vintage has been great for Rutherglen producers. A hallmark of the season has been consistent quality across all varieties, high quality and good cropping levels. Overall, the season has been relatively mild and kind to growers, with little disease pressure and a long ripening window. Vintage kicked off in Rutherglen on January 23 […]
The Riverland vintage concluded for most wineries during the second week of April. As it was with most other regions, Chris Byrne, Riverland Wine executive officer, described the vintage as very compressed, following an almost perfect growing season. The evenness of the season caused some confusion with a number of varieties maturing a week or […]
The Riverina region experienced a relatively mild growing season, with only one period of higher temperatures but no heatwave activity to cause any concern with ripening, according to Kristy Bartrop, Riverina Wine Grapes Marketing Board industry development officer. Fruit matured slowly which resulted in particularly good flavour development. Bartrop said the season had minimal damage […]
The vintage in Pemberton and Manjimup had it all this year, according to Mark Aitken, Woodgate Wines winemaker. What a vintage 2015 has been so far, you name it weve had it, Aitken said. Several hailstorms teamed with a devastating fire and unusual wildlife behaviour had dire consequences for some vineyards in the Frankland area. […]
Make hay while the sun shines! Appropriate words as the regions vignerons were launched into vintage for another year. Not only winegrapes but an incredible crop of stone fruits, berries and apples continues to be harvested across the tablelands of the Orange region, according to David Crawley, Orange Region Vignerons Association president. As the first […]
The 2015 vintage promises to be one of the best in recent times in the New England region, according to Sam Watson from the New England Wine Industry Association. While the region is one of the largest in the country and conditions vary greatly, generally the vintage was kind and the fruit from the vintage […]
The Murray Darling has faced some challenges this season. The region was hit by a severe tornado in November, estimated to have caused over $6 million damage to winegrapes, and saw some growers lose their entire crop. The 2015 harvest kicked off on January 7, according to Zilzie Wines and produced good quality all around […]
Mudgee experienced a text-book vintage, according to David Lowe, winemaker, viticulturist and owner of Lowe Wines. A great vintage is where the season and environment are so predictable that a winemaker can call the shots with complete confidence, Lowe said. 2015 in Mudgee is one of those years. With both white and red grapes maturing […]
Overall, Mount Barkers vintage was very predictable, according to Kim Tyrer, Mount Barker Wine Producers president and Galafrey Wines chief executive officer. While good quality wines were produced, falling yields continued to put pressure on prices and availability. Most vineyards in the WA reported low tonnages so we werent alone, Tyrer said. As dry years […]
Mornington Peninsulas first grapes of the season were handpicked off the vine at Yabby Lake Vineyard in February, according to the vineyards group viticulturist, Keith Harris. Harris said Yabby Lake usually kicked off the harvest for the Mornington Peninsula due to the location of the vineyard. Were a little further north and we get slightly […]
McLaren Vale have experienced one of the earliest vintages on record this year, with mild weather playing an important role for the region. Paul Smith, Wirra Wirra Vineyards senior winemaker, said with only a handful of hot days, the weather allowed natural acids with low PH levels to develop. This can often mean wines with […]
Margaret Rivers 2015 white wine vintage has been completed with many wine producers reporting their earliest ever finish, some as early as the first week in March. Stuart Watson, Margaret River Wine Association president, said fruit quality was looking very good. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon displays intense varietal characteristics such as crisp natural acidity on […]
Having kicked off on January 28 this year, the 2015 vintage was well underway in the Langhorne Creek Wine Region while both growers and winemakers were pleased with the consistently mild weather. At the time of the report white and sparkling grapes had been harvested while red grapes were still being picked. A group of […]