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2008 vintage report for Riverland (South Australia)

By Cameron Hills
Executive Officer
Riverland Wine Industry Development Council Inc.

The 2007-08 growing season presented itself as one of the most difficult experienced in the Riverland. The industry, recently challenged by winegrape over-supply issues, was next confronted with highly constrictive drought-driven water allocations, where allowance was lifted from 13-16% for much of the period leading to veraison. A late reprieve was received in December 2007 when allocations increased to 32%. While the increase was welcomed, many considered this a little too late in the season. Despite carry-over and water leasing, growers were compelled to make some tough decisions about their vineyard management. Heatwaves in both December 2007 and March 2008 compounded the difficulties, but effective canopy management acted to ameliorate the effect of windburn and sunburn.

Another especially dry growing season led to little in the way of vine health issues; some reported powdery mildew and isolated primary infections of downy mildew, but these were exceptions. Showers in January were a cause for growers’ concerns on berry split difficulties, but the region escaped without any real problems.

Vintage got under way in the Riverland with sparkling varieties picked in early January, and harvest wrapped up by early April with the late ripening varieties such as Petit Verdot.

Despite the sometimes extreme growing conditions, many wineries were pleased with most parcels of the resultant fruit that they received, with Shiraz tending to be singled out as one especially well-performing variety. The Riverland continues to play a crucial role in supplying fruit for Australia’s most popular wine brands, and has a developing boutique wine industry that has made great progress with minor varieties – especially those with Spanish and Italian origins.