Louis Latour Agencies

Southern Hemisphere: Vintage 2015 update

12 March 2015

Viu Manent – Colchagua Valley

Harvest began on the 19th February at Viu Manent’s Colchagua winery with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grapes from their San Carlos vineyard. San Carlos is the family’s original vineyard, it is located in the prestigious Santa Cruz district and was first established during the 19th century. These grapes were harvested at night, by machine, in order to protect the grapes from the day time heat. The majority of Viu Manent’s vineyards are harvested by hand and we will update you with news of this as soon as possible. A video of the first grapes arriving at the winery.

Wakefield – Clare Valley

Vintage officially began on the Taylor family’s estate and the team are very happy with the quality of fruit coming into the winery. The first grapes were harvested on the 19th January were Chardonnay and Pinot Noir destined for a new sparkling wine. The still wine harvest began on the 3rd February with Semillon, followed by Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris coming in during the same week. The red harvest started early on the 11th February with Tempranillo.

All in all Wakefield are experiencing a ‘fast and furious’ harvest. Periods of hot weather, with temperatures hitting 40 degrees Celsius are helping the grapes to ripen and harvest dates so far have been earlier than average. As of the 26th February over 2500 tonnes had been taken in, well ahead of the previous record set during the 2007 vintage.

Wakefield are always ahead of the curve and this year is no exception with the world’s first stainless steel egg shaped fermenter arriving at the winery in time for vintage. Egg-shaped fermenters are nothing new however using stainless steel allows for larger sizes to be constructed and easier cleaning. Gewurztraminer was the first variety to go in with more trials planned during vintage.

For a more detailed report visit the winery blog. (Wakefield Wines are known by the family name Taylors Wines in Australia) http://www.taylorswines.com.au/blog/2015/02/19/vintage-2015-progress-report/

13th March Update

Since our last update the weather has cooled slightly which has resulted in a slight slowing of overall intake. This is good news because intake was running ahead of fermentation and tank space was running short in the winery.  Overall, grapes are still being taken in faster than the previous ‘fast vintage’ in 2008.

In Clare around 70% of this harvest is done, and McLaren Vale Shiraz is complete however the Riverland reds (unusual as they are normally the first in) and Coonawarra are still to go. Unfortunately, to protect the quality of their wines, Adelaide Hills fruit had to be rejected due to smoke taint from the fires that went through in January.

The Taylors Estate continues to be very similar to 2007 & 2013 vintages in terms of timing.  60% tonnage completed, but still a lot of ground to cover to pick the last 40%.  Merlot and Shiraz are nearly finished, with the later ripening Cabernet Sauvignon and the Carmenere the last to be harvested.

The Shiraz for St. Andrews (and beyond) has been filled to the headless barrels and today the team are painstakingly fitting the silicon lids which will allow for extended skin contact ‘soaking’. 

McHenry Hohnen – Margaret River

McHenry Hohnen is well into vintage for 2015 and has had their earliest white harvest on record. The Chardonnay harvest started on 5 February 2015 with all three vineyards picked and brought in two days earlier than their traditional start date. The Sauvignon Blanc was harvested during the night starting on the 12th February 2015. Conditions this year include a long dry spell with no rain recorded in January or February. A 40% reduction in traditional yields has made for concentrated flavours and light work. With an early spring break and untimely spring storms knocking most of the developing fruit flowers off the vine. Reds are progressing nicely with cool evenings ensuring retention of natural acidity.

Craggy Range – Hawkes Bay/Martinborough/Marlborough

Vintage is set to begin on Craggy Range during the third week of March. Read on for an overview of how the vineyards are progressing, provided by Craggy Range in later February.

Kidnappers Vineyard, Hawkes Bay

Chardonnay is mid-way through veraison with ripening progressing nicely. Bird netting is now on the vines as bird pressure had increased recently. Harvest is expected around the third week of March.

Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, Hawkes Bay

Chardonnay is ripening quickly with veraison taking place end of January. Bird netting is now on with birds enticed by the sweet berries. It appears we are on track for picking around the middle of March. Red varieties are going through veraison now and looking fantastic. Crop thinning has been completed in all blocks. Picking is expected to take place in the fourth week of March.

Te Muna Road Vineyard, Martinborough

Quality is looking great. The fruit has just started going through veraison which is on track in terms of timing. Bird netting has just been run out and harvest is expected to commence at the end of March/early April. Sauvignon Blanc is expected to start veraison over the next week or so with fruit looking really great with nice open bunches. Phenology is tracking normal with harvest expected to start at the end of the first week of April.

Avery Vineyard, Marlborough

The Sauvignon Blanc crop is a little down in Marlborough due to some variable weather of flowering. Quality is looking really good as bunches are generally nice and open. The Avery Vineyard is expected to start veraison shortly. Harvest is expected towards the end of March/early April.