Filter reports by year

• 2015
• 2014
• 2013
• 2012
• 2011
• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000
• 1999
• 1998
• 1997
• 1996

1999 vintage report for Tumbarumba (New South Wales)

The Alpine areas of NSW had excellent winter and spring rain and early growth was good, said Nick Bulleid in Southcorp Wines’ vintage report. However, the severe frost on 27 October damaged almost all vineyards in the area, with many grower vineyards showing total loss. Sprinkler protection on lower parts of the Southcorp Tumbarumba vineyard saved that part of the crop, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, but 8 ha of Pinot Noir on the upper slopes were badly burnt. Good rains in January were at first beneficial, but eventually botrytis appeared in many vineyards. ‘The quality of the early ripening varieties is good, although the quantity is often tiny, thanks to the frost,’ said Nick. ‘Ian Walsh says there is a small parcel of elegant, intense Chardonnay and the Sauvignon Blanc is very good, although the quantity is only a fraction of what he would have liked.’