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2009 vintage report for Clare Valley (South Australia)

Contributed by Frank Nicholls, chairman, Clare Region Winegrape Growers Association

Growing season: The 2008-09 growing season got off to a more normal start than 2007-08 with budburst and flowering back to normal dates and relatively mild temperatures until Christmas. Disease pressure was low throughout most of the growing season with the only spike occurring after the 100mm of rainfall received mid-December, when there was a window of 10/10/24. However, this did not transpire into anything as there were no subsequent rainfall events. The New Year heatwave really gave the vines a hard time resulting in lots of exposed fruit getting burnt and crop losses. Fortuitously, the heatwave occurred at a stage when most vines were only early veraison. The effects could have been much worse without rain in December and/or if the heatwave’s timing had been much closer to picking.

Vintage: A small number of blocks came off early which was cause for some concern, however, things basically stopped for two weeks to catch-up from the heat. When picking started again it did so at a very steady pace. Most Clare people would agree that it was the most leisurely and steady vintage for some years, with little fruit being taken out of normal business hours. The leisurely pace meant vintage ran for probably an extra three to four weeks than the previous year (which was the shortest ever).

Yields and quality: Yields across the board were down on most varieties except Riesling which was per estimates or better and continues to amaze with its ability to stand-up in the heat. Local winemakers are predicting 2009 will prove to be another good year. Riesling continues to deliver and selected parcels of other fruit are very good too, but this largely is dependent on the block orientation and water supply.