Bored of the VERY long winter? Curious what’s happening in the Southern hemisphere? We work closely with our vineyard rascals and have compiled a few harvest reports into a mini report. Enjoy!

 

Australia – Patritti (Blewitt Springs and MacLaren Vale)

  • Smaller vintage to 2017.
  • Due to January heatwaves, cooler regions are coming in earlier than warmer regions.
  • Dark colour in the Shiraz – Winemaker Ben Heide said he doesn’t think he’s ever seen the colour so dark or the aromatics so intense in this parcel.

 

 

 

Australia – Churchview (Margaret River)

  • The summer and ripening season was almost perfect (apart from a spell of heavy rain at the end of January).
  • Bunch weights were slightly lower than the year before.
  • White varieties held good acid and wonderful freshness. The red varieties (due to mild conditions) have good tannin ripeness along with outstanding flavours, sugar levels and natural acidity.
  • Overall, one of the best years.

 

 

Chile – Casa Donoso (Maule Valley)

  • Expecting 15% more (by the kilo) than 2017.
  • The climate has been quite favourable compared to 2017 (fires and smoke nearby) and 2016 (cold spring and summer).

 

 

 

 

 

South Africa – Aaldering (Devon Valley – Stellenbosch)

  • 3rd year of draught – but one of the best harvests yet!
  • Due to little rain, the juice is more concentrated.
  • Vines becoming used to little water so are looking deeper, resulting in better minerality.
  • For bulk wine producers, crop is down 30-40% which will have an impact on prices.

 

 

South Africa – Cape Dreams (Robertson)

  • Harvest is 19% smaller due to ongoing draught.
  • As there is little water, the grapes are smaller and lighter bunches.
  • The quality of grapes are very good.
  • Due to lower volumes, there will be an overall price increase averaging at 12%. Again, lower volumes will have an increase on prices.