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1999 vintage report for Swan Valley (Western Australia)

David Atkinson, president of the Swan Valley & Regional Winemakers’ Association, said it was a cool vintage and grapes took longer to ripen. Vintage took place at a nice easy pace. Crop levels of whites (Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Verdelho) was up about 10%. Reds (Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) yielded about the same as last year. Quality was good. ‘There is very good competition for Swan Valley grapes from south west wineries,’ said David. ‘It’s nice to see new plantings coming on stream. Five new wineries came into production this year.’ There was softening in the price of some white varieties — this year Chenin Blanc is not in favour.