Vintage 2010 update
31st December 2009
Just after the last sparkling wine cork popped to celebrate New Year, the 2010 vintage began for the Wingara Wine Group. Deakin Estate is busy field testing the nearly ripe fruit and expects to commence harvest mid to late January. Katnook Estate in the cooler Coonawarra, expects vintage will start in March.
Here's how the 2010 season is shaping up.
Deakin Estate reports heavy spring rain, giving bigger vine canopies. In warmer regions like the Murray Darling, microclimates can be more important than in cool climates. Deakin Estate Sauvignon Blanc, for example, enjoys cooler conditions, courtesy of its large canopy.
So at this stage, Deakin Estate is heading for top quality whites this vintage. Watch this space for an update on red wines, it's just too early to say at this point.
Katnook Estate's 2010 vintage is taking shape beautifully, with a near perfect growing season. From September through November , our vineyards enjoyed a thorough soaking of 164mm of rain - 15mm more than average. Temperatures in this time have been warmer than average with no significant frost events.
Crop-load (which is based on number of bunches per vine) are below average for most varieties - and that augers well for quality. Further, there have been zero pest & disease issues to date, since the periods of high rainfall have been followed by strong drying winds, thus lessening disease potential.
In summary - good rainfall and warmer temperatures have been ideal, leading to good canopy growth early in the season which will lead to good ripening potential. Combined with forecast dry conditions and average to cooler temperatures, we hope to restrict the growth once shoots have reached the ideal length and maintain leaf quality to ripen the grapes. Stay tuned for updates as harvest approaches in March.
