Growing Season & Vintage Conditions

After a moderate winter, early spring conditions in September cooled with increased rainfall. October through December all recorded average or slightly above average rainfall which minimised – or eliminated entirely in most blocks – any need for supplemental irrigation. Combined with above average temperatures throughout this period, growth was solid and flowering completed early in warm and sunny conditions. Only the later flowering Riesling experienced some wetter weather affecting the fruit set. Cover crops in the inter-rows enjoyed the periodic rain events contributing to increased biodiversity and the ability to build good levels of soil organic matter.

January was warm and dry, advancing the phenology until a wet period in early February, with average temperatures throughout. Canopies were healthy and with a good fruit set, a green harvest was carried out across most blocks to ensure balanced and moderate yields. March was very dry with only 7mm of rainfall recorded and sunny conditions continuing. Interestingly, the mean and maximum temperatures, along with heat summation (apart from much lower rainfall), were identical to the favoured 2019 season. These warmer conditions, along with the early season heat accumulation, contributed to an early start to the harvest on March 16. Frantic picking over 5 days from March 22 to March 26 brought in over half of the harvest including all of the Chardonnay. The last parcels of Pinot Noir were picked at Elms and MacMuir on April 4, with Riesling completed on April 8 except for Block 1 Riesling on April 14.

Yields were on average normal across most Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with Riesling down around 10%. Physiological ripeness occurred readily with pleasingly balanced sugar and acidity.