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2008 vintage report for Mount Gambier (South Australia)

By Terry Strickland
Chairman
Mount Gambier Regional Winegrowers’ Association Inc.

The extremely dry 2006-07 season and devastating frosts of the spring period were in the back of many growers’ minds as they waited to see how vines would recover from the hammering they had taken in the previous season.

The 2007-08 season started well. There was rain and vines recovered well from one frost event in late September, causing some damage to the early varieties, particularly Chardonnay, in a number of vineyards.

In marked contrast to the previous season, the spring period saw ideal flowering conditions and great optimism. Early indications were of good fruitset in all varieties, with expectation of average yields.

The summer was mild, as it frequently is in the lower South-East, with very little rain and no disease problems with fruit gently ripening.

All was going well until, along with the rest of South Australia, the region experienced a prolonged hot spell in early-to-mid-March, causing sugars to skyrocket, fruit destined for sparking base reassigned for dry reds and severe strain on winery and transport infrastructure. In late March the rain came, temperatures dropped and Baumés went backwards, with some later varieties not picked until mid-May.

In balance, 2008 was a good year with excellent fruit, particularly the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Yields were average to above average with corporate winemakers highlighting the strength of the region’s quality.