Part 3 – Where did that fortnight go?

Well, my best intentions to keep this diary regular flew out the window once we started picking. In my defence, everything decided it was going to ripen at the same moment and a general clamour of pick me, no pick me, ensued.

As I get my head briefly above the parapet I can report that we have harvested over 40 tonnes and by next Tuesday, when some rain is forecast, we will have  only Home Block Chardonnay and a bit of Pinot to come in by the end of that week.

Yields have been slightly above average and more importantly the quality is spot on. Flavours have reached optimum at lower sugar levels this year which will mean moderate alcohol levels – all to the good when your doctor asks how much you are drinking!

I don’t think we’re at the stage where definitive judgement can be passed on the vintage but based on what I’ve seen in the winery so far it’s not too premature to say that we’re looking at a very good year and lovely wines across all our varieties.

Time to check on the press, more later.

Cheers,

Roger Parkinson