This has so far been a roller-coaster vintage, and we are barely into our main pickings! Our initial thoughts were that with such a warm summer this would be a very early vintage – but not so. Conditions cooled early in March and the ripening seemed to slow right down and in some blocks virtually stopped. In the last 10 days the vines have knuckled down to the “ripening” business and we are now flat out hand picking! As often happens in this style of season, all the varieties and blocks are tending to ripen together. Even Sauvignon Blanc in some of our cooler blocks is now well advanced and has fabulous flavours! Same goes for Riesling – which is hot on the heels of Pinot Noir and is building a very attractive flavour profile. Pinot Noir looks fabulous, quite delicate flavours and aromas with great poise and balance. We will see some very “classy” Pinots this vintage! With a relatively dry to very dry season, disease pressure is low, and strangely we have not been pestered by birds trying to get through our netting defenses – yet! They have been suspiciously quiet and it wouldn’t appear to be because they have their beaks full! So a very, very busy few weeks ahead with no time to lose! Cheers, Fred
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