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2011 vintage report for Blackwood Valley (Western Australia)

Supplied by Craig Nield, president, Blackwood Valley Wine Industry Association
Growing season: This season saw the combination of a dry season with one of the lowest winter rainfalls on record. Soil moisture levels were low throughout the season and a warm-to-hot summer resulted in most growth stages being earlier than average. Rainfall events close to flowering and pre-veraison were welcomed due to low dam levels restricting irrigation for some growers. Disease pressure was low and no recordings of downy mildew were made.
Vintage: Harvest started in early February, three weeks earlier than previous vintages on average. Harvest was all completed in March.
Yields and quality: The season resulted in lower-than-average yields across most varieties in the region, although the quality of both red and white grapes looks to be of a very high quality.