The 2024 vintage will be remembered for its fast pace, its early timing and its quality.
While all the forecasts predicted a return to an El Nino weather pattern, with drier conditions expected, the growing period between September and December 2023 saw above average rainfall and cool and mild conditions. We were certainly preparing ourselves for another cool, wet and late vintage.
Veraison commenced approximately 10-14 days earlier than usual, starting in late December in our early ripening varieties. A 68mm rainfall event on Christmas Day 2023 created splitting in some of our more susceptible blocks, leading to leaf plucking and fruit thinning in order to protect the crop from disease.
Fortunately, January through to March remained dry and warm, without being excessively hot, seeing a rapid accumulation of sugar in the fruit, while also ensuring the fruit remained disease free.
Vintage commenced on the 13th February with Chardonnay harvested from our 44 year old vines from our Sunday Creek vineyard.
As we progressed through the vintage, it became clear that the quality of the reds were very strong, as well as our full bodied whites. What is most exciting however, is the quality of our fortifieds, particularly our Topaques and Muscats, which are all outstanding.
