Vintage report by James Hook
Lazy Ballerina wines made: Shiraz, Grenache, Viognier, & Non-Vintage Sparkling wines.
Vintage 2017 in the McLaren Vale Wine Region was judged highly successful for both grape growers, who had above average crops with minimal faults, and winemakers who had the ability to pick fruit as they required during an extended dry autumn.
The reported harvest from McLaren Vale was 44,287 tonnes in 2017, compared to 40,997 tonnes in 2016. Over the past five years, the average crush has been 33,901 tonnes. This year’s vintage was the largest in the past five years.
Winter weather conditions help set up the early growth of our vineyards with above average rainfall leading to full soil profiles.
Spring was also significantly wetter than average. There were notable large storms and high winds with frequent low-pressure fronts moving through the region. Fortunately, the weather patterns during flowering were relatively stable and dry. Spring air temperatures were cooler than average and flowering was delayed by 14-21 days compared to recent seasons, while veraison was also delayed.
Harvest began later than in 2016, with very few vineyards picked in February, with picking continuing into late April.
There was one significant rain event of approximately 25mm in the first week of February. Fortunately, this did not cause widespread berry splitting and Botrytis levels remained low in the aftermath. Weather conditions during March were stable, with little natural rainfall, although there were some morning dews.
Autumn continued to be warm and dry through early April allowing almost all vineyards to be successfully harvested.
The earlier picked red vineyards, including Shiraz and Tempranillo, have been described as having good fruit characters; winemaking reports are they are lively, bright, spicy, vibrant, and elegant. Towards the end of vintage, parcels of Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre were described as excellent examples of these grape styles.