MAY 2008
We have been delighted with the response as we have started
introducing our wines to restaurateurs and the public over the
last 3 months.
A great example was the Sydney Cellar Door tasting in Hyde Park
as part of New South Wales Wine Week. With over 100 wineries
to choose from, and not many people knowing who we are, we could
have been overlooked, but we were one of the busiest with over
600 people paying to taste our wines in a little over 5 hours!
Apparently some early tasters were impressed and spread the word
and the whole thing snowballed from there.
The response from restaurants has also been fantastic and we
are now one of the best represented wineries on wine lists in
the Southern Highlands. Now for Sydney and beyond!
Vintage Report 2008
In 2008, the vines recovered well from the frosts and dry conditions
of the 2007 vintage with good soil moisture and a frost-free
budburst. An even budburst occurred in all varieties.
Spring conditions were moderate ensuring
excellent flowering and fruit-set. Rain throughout the season
ensured good vine growth with very little need for watering.
A cold period during December saw the vines slowdown and the
lighting of the fire on Christmas day! With this cold snap
a later harvest was predicted, however above average temperatures
during February and March saw one of the earliest vintages
experienced at “Yaraandoo”.
Riesling was harvested on the 13th March
at 11.2 Baume. The fruit displayed lemon and lime characters
with good acidity. The Arneis followed close behind, being
harvested on the 14th March at 12.3 Baume. This variety
can ripen very quickly towards the end of the season. The ripeness
was closely monitored and picked with a good balance of fruit
and acid.
The two clones of Pinot Noir, MV6 and 115, were picked from
28th to 31st March. Similar to Arneis, over ripe flavours are
not desirable in this variety. The Pinot Noir was picked at 13.0
Baume. The warm end to the season ensured adequate ripeness in
the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot was picked 12th
April and the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked on 18th April. Both
these varieties were picked at 13.3 Baume.
Our first vintage of a botrytis Riesling was picked on 11th
April at 17.7 Baume. The fruit displayed the richness of a botrytis
wine although we were pleased to see the acid of a cool climate
Riesling was still present.
All in all, another good vintage with some good results from
pruning and canopy management trials in the vineyard.
Paul Quirico – Estate Manager
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