Filter reports by year

• 2015
• 2014
• 2013
• 2012
• 2011
• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000
• 1999
• 1998
• 1997
• 1996

2011 vintage report for Hunter Valley (New South Wales)

Supplied by Liz Riley
Growing season: The 2010-11 season commenced as per normal in the Hunter with a late August start for the early varieties, such as Chardonnay, followed by Verdelho, Semillon and Shiraz. The growing season was one of the most challenging in living memory with both the volume and frequency of rain during spring limiting vineyard access and, therefore, preventative fungicide applications, canopy and vineyard floor management for a considerable amount of time. These conditions resulted in significant downy mildew pressure and low to severe foliage, inflorescence and berry/bunch infections occurred. At this point in the season – late October to mid-November – we were seriously concerned that there could be 50-75% crop losses across the Valley should the conditions continue.
The overcast conditions also saw an increase in powdery mildew pressure. Some pressure on fungicide supplies coupled with limited periods of vineyard access saw growers struggling to gain control of the situation but with persistence being followed by the rain ceasing in mid-December we turned the corner.
Veraison commenced just prior to Christmas and, again, was on the normal timeline with a late January harvest anticipated. The drier weather continued and there was two heat events through January – one brief hot period over the New Year followed by a second prolonged heat event from late Januray through to early February. These had a considerable impact with fruit and foliage scorching being observed (as opposed to a more traditional sunburn). This has been attributed to the wet and mild season and the ‘sappy’ growth that had not really hardened off being hit harder than normal by the hot weather.
Vintage: Vintage was a dream after the last three to four years (2008 in particular) which all had some rain occur, and in light of the tough start to the season. The harvest was rain free and, therefore, quite orderly with fruit picked with limited harvest rescheduling required. The white harvest was impacted to a degree by the heat but all fruit was harvested. Reds ripened well and were picked through February with no concerns.
Yields and quality: Despite the tough start to the season, yields were generally up by 25-40% on the district’s 10-year average across most varieties and 40-50% up on the previous season. This was unexpected and quite ironic given the seasonal conditions.