Vintage Report by James Hook
The harvest from McLaren Vale region was 33,092 tonnes in 2014, down by 2,137 tonnes (6%) from the 2013 harvest of 35,229 tonnes.
Spring vine growth.
For McLaren Vale summer conditions were significantly warmer than average with two heat waves through January and one in February tested the limits of grapevine tolerance to extreme heat. Equally damaging were extremely high speed winds which reduced berry set, stripped leaves and reduced the size of canopies and increased the level of fruit exposure. This was followed by some very hot days.
The 2013 vintage was completed earlier than expected in McLaren Vale and many thought that going into this year’s would have been the same after vines ‘shut down’ through January and February to limit water stress. The opposite happened. Rain in February rehydrated vines and freshened up vine leaves. The rain also signaled the beginning of a pattern of cooler daytime temperatures which allowed fruit to finish ripening during some relatively moderate temperatures. The moisture boost also fortunately helped improve fruit balance and crop levels for the district. This year’s harvest was prolonged by a slow ripening period. The first harvest began with sparkling base at the end of January and ended during April with the last of the red grapes crushed. Ultimately the weather though March and April produced one of the easiest vintages since the early 2000’s.
James Hook McLaren Vale Crop Watch Editor