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2003 vintage report for Blackwood Valley (Western Australia)

The vintage began with the early whites being harvested at the end of February through to mid March. The red grapes ripened simultaneously in mid March with vintage completed by mid April. Some growers experienced a small amount of hail damage and heavy rains during February prior to harvest, which delayed the ripening of the fruit.

After a second year with below average rainfall, irrigation was limited in most areas and a number of growers did some shoot thinning and also fruit thinning to reduce stress on the vines. Very few disease problems were encountered due to the mild to warm and dry growing season. There was some bird damage on late picked varieties.

The fruit quality was good with intense flavours, but yields were generally down by up to 10% on the previous year.