As you read this we shall be flat out picking grapes! This is one of the coolest seasons I can remember - courtesy mainly of the over-riding La Nina weather pattern, which has cast a shadow (literally – it brings more cloud!) from the NW coast of mainland Australia down to all but the West Coast of Tassie. This is why the central and eastern parts of the “mainland” have had some incredible storms and heavy rains. But there are benefits – grape development is slower which generally results in more flavour, and the milder conditions result in a more powerful (active) canopy – this being an industry term that really relates to the leaf health and the “volume” of working leaves. Cheers, Fred

With more powerful canopies, the vines have an enhanced capacity to build flavour and ripen grapes. Our grapes are in excellent condition and with the slower season we have an enhanced opportunity to pick at the absolute optimal time for wine quality, without the often-hectic rush of hotter seasons when it seems most grape blocks want to be picked at the same time! Well, once more to the picking snips, buckets and our cheery grape pickers....