Vintage Reports
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2015 vintage report for Hunter Valley (New South Wales)
After a wet start to the season, the 2015 Hunter Valley vintage outlook was bleak. Gus Maher, Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association general manager, said dire forecasts were whispered among growers as rain washed away their hopes of a successful harvest. Then the rain stopped, said Maher. And then the sun came out. The […]
2015 vintage report for Heathcote (Victoria)
Phil Meehan, Heathcote Winegrowers Association president, said local vineyards were monitoring the weather daily ahead of a start on harvesting Shiraz before signs of heat stress appeared in the Our shiraz vines look to have produced well again, helped by generally good conditions over spring and a summer climate this year that has allowed fruit […]
2015 vintage report for Granite Belt (Queensland)
Sirromet Wines began its 2015 vintage in early February, with the first crush being Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to be used for premium sparkling base, according to Adam Chapman, Sirromet chief winemaker. Verdelho, Pinot Gris, Viognier and Chardonnay white varietals had been harvested in the following weeks, while the red fruit had only just began […]
2015 vintage report for Grampians (Victoria)
The Grampians saw blue skies and sunshine in the lead up to the vintage, with some lovely top up rains that refreshed the vines, according to Manon Houg from Mount Langi Ghiran and Grampians Wine spokesperson. It was a pleasant summer without the heat of previous years, Houg said. The vintage was surprisingly early given […]
2015 vintage report for Goulburn Valley (Victoria)
In yet another affirmation of the climate change theorists, the 2015 harvest at Goulburn Valley commenced earlier than any vintage that preceded it. The harvest officially launched into action on 6 February with both white and red varieties ripening with remarkable synchronicity, according to Travis Clydesdale, Mitchelton winemaker. As oppose to the extreme heat of […]
2015 vintage report for Geographe (Western Australia)
In the Geographe region, vintage commenced earlier than usual with most white varieties and some early ripening red varieties in harvest at the time of the report. After a cool spring, many growers in the area expected vines to slow down, but two weeks of consistently hot weather sped the process up leading to the […]
2015 vintage report for Cowra (New South Wales)
The 2015 vintage has been particularly promising in the Cowra region according to Jason ODea, Windowrie general manager and viticulturist. Yields were somewhat lower than average due to the frost in 2014, however the quality of the fruit was some of the best the region has seen in the past 10 years. The growing season […]
2015 vintage report for Coonawarra (South Australia)
Following a trend in South Australia, several Coonawarra wineries commenced the 2015 vintage much earlier than in previous years, and in some instances, the earliest ever. Wayne Stehbens, Katnook Estate senior winemaker, said his team started harvesting Pinot Noir in the first week of February, which was their earliest recorded start to a season ever. […]
2015 vintage report for Clare Valley (South Australia)
After an almost text book growing season, the 2015 Vintage has wrapped up in the Clare Valley with a very strong result across the board, according to Neil Paulett, Clare Valley Winemakers Incorporated (CVWI) chairman. Despite the fact that the vintage was almost certainly the earliest and shortest on record, both yields and quality have […]
2015 vintage report for Canberra (NSW/ACT)
Winemakers in Canberra have tipped 2015 as the best vintage ever after an early beginning. The season peaked in late March and by the end of the month only a rump of cooler, higher vineyards, late-ripening varieties and grapes destined for dessert wines remained to be picked. Late on Saturday, March 21, Ken Helm, Murrumbateman […]
2015 vintage report for Barossa Valley (South Australia)
The 2015 Barossa harvest period was ripe for success early on, according to Nicki Robins, Barossa Grape & Wine Association (BGWA) viticultural development officer. Robins said growers experienced 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain in early January which set the vines up nicely for the ripening period. The majority of canopies held up through the […]
2015 vintage report for Adelaide Hills (South Australia)
Despite the threat from January’s bushfires, Adelaide Hills grapegrowers and winemakers were celebrating, what they believed was the best vintage in 10 years. Although some media reports have highlighted problems with smoke taint in the region, that problem has hit a very small part of the Adelaide Hills. The devastating bushfire in the Sampson Flat […]
2014 vintage report for Yarra Valley (Victoria)
Abundant winter and spring rain resulted in vines that commenced the season without stress and consequently led to an even bud burst in the Yarra Valley. Cool spring conditions resulted in lower than average yields as flowering was inhibited by cool, wet conditions. The Wine Yarra Valley Technical Sub Committee said the warmth returned in […]
2014 vintage report for Tasmania
Wine Tasmania industry development and extension officer David Sanderson said the 2014 vintage was expected to result in strong quality with reduced yields following last years record high. The vintage started well, with excellent soil moisture and even bud burst but some areas suffered frost damage in spring, he said. Overall weather was conducive to […]
2014 vintage report for Swan Valley (Western Australia)
According to Swan Valley and Regional Winemakers Association president Duncan Harris, vintage commenced in the second week of January and concluded by the first quarter of April with tonnage sitting at 5000. Ideal weather conditions brought the region above average with even-ripening yields due to belated rain in September. Some growers reported a 10 to […]
2014 vintage report for South Burnett (Queensland)
South Burnett Wine Industry Association president Jason Kinsella said there was only one word to describe the 2014 vintage in the region dry. The region commenced 2013 with record floods throughout January and February followed by the driest year in European settlement, with the South Burnett receiving little or no rain for the entire […]
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