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2010 vintage report for Goulburn Valley (Victoria)

Supplied by the Goulburn Valley Wine Association
Growing season: Timely spring rainfall coinciding with budburst ensured vines had a healthy start to the 2009-10 season following yet another dry winter period. Temperatures throughout January and February were slightly above average with moderate rainfall. From 5-8 March, between 100–150mm of tropical rain was recorded throughout the Goulburn Valley, which was followed by a fortnight of high relative humidity due to a persistent and intense low pressure cell over northern Australia. Weather conditions were fine, warm and mild throughout the remainder of the vintage. Significantly, the total rainfall for the growing season was the highest since 1996. There were some isolated incidences of bunch rot reported later in the season in a few localities around the central Goulburn Valley.
Vintage: As a result of the warm conditions experienced in December and January, along with moderate crop levels and healthy canopies, vintage commenced up to three weeks earlier than the long-term average with most wineries well and truly receiving fruit by the second week of February. Warm and fine February conditions ensured whites reached full maturity, allowing these varieties to reach optimum flavour potential. Fortunately, a significant proportion of the total fruit intake was harvested and safe within wineries’ confines prior to torrential and unseasonal rains in the first week of March.
Yields and quality: It was pleasing that both reds and whites achieved excellent flavour levels without the expense of high sugar levels which has often been a symptomatic side-effect of recent drought-affected seasons. Standout Shiraz parcels were reported from vineyards across the length and breadth of the Goulburn Valley, including the Nagambie Lakes sub-region and other localities including Dookie, Seymour and further north around Shepparton and Cobram.