Spring rainfall simply didn’t happen this year as the overhead tap was turned off during August. We needed to begin irrigation during September and the dry weather continued right through the growing season, maturity and vintage and resulted in beautiful clean and disease free fruit yet again. Frosts weren’t an issue during spring and flowering went through smoothly and quickly without any adverse weather to affect fruit set.
The mild summer temperatures brought about excellent aromas and flavours in the white varieties and the reds followed suit with Shiraz quality at its expected consistent high standard and in particular the Cabernet Sauvignon quality this year was outstanding. Overall grape quality out of V15 was possibly the best we’ve seen. Certainly we we can expect some excellent quality wines from the Wirrega stable coming out of this vintage.
-Jeff Flint, Vineyard Manager