Vintage conditions
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2015 - Barossa Valley (EW: Fra Lindsay)
The 2015 Barossa harvest period got off to a good start, with growers experiencing 4-6 cm (1.5 to 2.5") of rain in early January, which set the vines up nicely for the ripening period. The majority of canopies held up through the warm days of February, with some extra irrigation going on to get the vines through the heat. No heatwave conditions this year, which was a relief! Overall, the Barossa wine grape yield should be higher this year than in 2013 and 2014, which is very good news for both Barossa growers and wineries!
2016 - Adelaide (EW: knabbet på nett, nøytral data må innhentes, tilpasses)
In the Adelaide Hills the low winter and spring rainfall required early irrigation, rare for the region. Rain in late January was worth its weight in gold, the outcome above average yields, the chardonnay and sauvignon blanc the best white wines, shiraz and pinot noir the best reds. One reporter in the Adelaide Plains summarised things thus: 'The best all-round vintage I have seen in 10 years of working in this area'.
2017 - Barossa Valley (EW: Fra Lindsay)
Barossa has experienced a wetter than average winter and spring. This, combined with below average temperatures in December and January, will result in a later harvest than we've seen in many years. Harvest will be three to four weeks later than in recent years, which is 'back to normal'. Growers will start picking Barossa's 'hero' red variety, Shiraz, in early-mid March 2017 (whereas the first pick of Shiraz has been early-mid February for many of the past 12-13 years). With the good soil moisture and cooler temperatures to date, the vines are looking very healthy - and a later harvest date means the grapes will ripen more slowly, enabling a gradual accumulation of sugars and flavours, which is exactly what Barossa winemakers are looking for to produce high quality Barossa wines. Most Barossa Valley white varieties are just days away from harvest, with BV Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon just through veraison at this stage, so possibly 3-4 weeks from harvest. Eden Valley harvest will follow this. Fortunately in Barossa, summer rains are usually followed by windy conditions, so the 30-40mm of rain the region experienced from 4-6 February dried off quickly, enabling the vines to remain generally disease-free and healthy. Additionally, the soils have been topped-up with some lovely moisture to keep the canopies going throughout the summer ripening season. Last week's hot weather of four days in a row of 37-plus degrees Celsius helped dry out any berries split due to the rain. Barossa wine grape yields are looking about average to slightly above average depending on variety, where vineyards are located, and viticultural techniques employed by the grower.
2018 - Clare Valley (EW: spisses mht Clare Valley / Riesling)
Eden Valley and Clare Valley riesling will be site specific, the higher and/or cooler sites performing best. One conservative vigneron rates 2018 as the fourth consecutive exceptionally good riesling vintage, close in quality to the great '17 vintage.