Glam Adelaide write up of Lazy Ballerina

Residing at the brink of the stunning Kuitpo forest in Dingabledinga, Lazy Ballerina is an SA winery who has taken the COVID-19 downtime as an opportunity to focus on some exciting additions.

Despite the challenging times in operating a cellar door and business, Lazy Ballerina’s owners James Hook and Miriam Bourne have unveiled a stunning new marquee and a new Eco Pod accommodation.

Emerging out of their stunning grounds is a rustic Eco Pod fitted out with a fire pit, a swing chair and even an outdoor bath.

Promising a restorative experience and getaway in nature, the Eco Pod is quipped with a queen bed and kitchenette facilities, including a Webber bbq so a delightful cook up is also on the cards.

The Eco Pod will be be available in mid June for $250 a night, with bookings launching soon.

In addition to this, next to the lush lawns of Lazy Ballerina’s ground’s now sits a new ethereal all weather, multipurpose marquee.

Seating 50 people, the marquee will be available for bookings in July for as well as Lazy Ballerina’s lunches, once given the green light in stage three of the government’s plans to ease restrictions.

The marquee will be suitable for most weather conditions, James and Miriam say.

“During the winter months we were looking at options to accommodate our visitors in all-weather environments. We’ve positioned the permanent marquee in the perfect, ethereal spot to take advantage of the sunsets up here,” they say.

“We’re also pleased to open up our property for others to enjoy the rural vistas with the eco pod accommodation. You can tuck yourself away in full privacy or when we are re-open join guests in the cellar door garden for a wood oven pizza and bottle of wine”

To keep updated with Lazy Ballerina’s reopening or to book the marquee for a special event, send Lazy Ballerina a message on Facebook.

Booking a stay at the Eco Pod will soon be available at Dakini Hideaways.

Source: https://glamadelaide.com.au/lazy-ballerina-winery-unveils-stunning-garden-marquee-and-eco-pod/?fbclid=IwAR0rMSNoGzJFxLihlDLSiD4sBbaLYYNCA0mL_rJpeuOAH3luyRqH9wT2KLA

2020 Vintage Report

The COVID Lockdown Vintage!

Vintage Report by James Hook

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Lazy Ballerina wines made: Shiraz, Grenache, Viognier, & Non-Vintage sparkling wines.

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The McLaren Vale Wine Region experienced a drier than average growing season for the third year in a row. The continuation of dry conditions has contributed to generally low yields across the region.

The reported crush of winegrapes from McLaren Vale was 28,751 tonnes in 2020, down by 13 per cent compared with the 2019 reported crush of 33,055 tonnes. Over the past five years (up to 2019), the average crush for McLaren Vale has been 36,590 tonnes, making the 2020 crush 21 per cent below the five-year average.

Dry conditions during spring reduced the vigour of vines, while several days of very high winds in late November were seen to reduce the berry set of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo which were flowering at the time.

The summer of Vintage 2020 was a tale of two summers. Our “first” summer, the month of December, was the hottest on record.

December’s hot weather had vines showing signs of water and heat stress much earlier in the season than they would typically but also suppressed Powdery and Downy Mildew and there were very low levels of disease this vintage.

Fortunately, to break the record hot weather, the northern Australian monsoon season started at the start of January, and temperatures over southern Australia dropped correspondingly. We had 13 consecutive days below 30°C from 15–27 January. This was the longest such run in January since 1992 and longest in summer since December 2008. The mean average temperatures were 1.2 °C below average.

The start of February saw a monsoonal rain band move over South Australia and the McLaren Vale Wine Region experienced 20-30mm during three days of thunderstorms. It was just enough summer rain to freshen up vineyards, without the unwanted side effect of berry splitting and then botrytis bunch rot.

This trend of cooler weather continued through February and it proved much cooler than average, with no maximum temperatures above 35°C for the first time. February is “normally” the hottest month.

Grape picking took 5 weeks to complete starting at full pace in the first week of March and ending at the start of April. The report from winemakers on wine quality has been good, with winemaking made easier by cool weather and lower tonnages allowing for close attention at the winery.

OVERVIEW OF VINTAGE STATISTICS

The reported crush of winegrapes from McLaren Vale was 28,751 tonnes in 2020, down by 13 per cent compared with the 2019 reported crush of 33,055 tonnes. Over the past five years (up to 2019), the average crush for McLaren Vale has been 36,590 tonnes, making this year’s crush 21 per cent below the five-year average. Compared with the other major regions in SA, McLaren Vale had a relatively small reduction and reported a larger crush than the Barossa Valley and Langhorne Creek for the first time since 2004, and was second largest region by volume in the state in 2020.

The total estimated value of winegrapes from McLaren Vale in 2020 was $56.5 million compared with $59 million in 2019. The decrease in production was partly offset by an overall increase in the average purchase value of grapes, which increased by 10 per cent from $1771 per tonne in 2019 to $1951 per tonne.

There were increases in average prices for the three largest varieties: Shiraz up by 8 per cent to $2107 per tonne, Cabernet Sauvignon up 12 per cent to $1998 per tonne and Grenache up by 16 per cent to $2156 per tonne. The average value of Grenache was higher than Shiraz for the first time.

The price dispersion data shows an upward shift in purchase prices, with 47 per cent of red grapes purchased at $2000 per tonne and above, compared with 26 per cent last year.

According to Vinehealth Australia data, the total vineyard area in McLaren Vale as at 30 April 2020 is 7349 hectares, compared with 7337 hectares in 2019. The total area is around 100 hectares less than it was 5 years ago.

Playdates for parents: South Australia’s best kid-friendly cellar doors

Warmer weather calls for a relaxed drink and nosh at one of South Australia’s great cellar doors – but where are the best spots to take the kids too? Here are our top picks.

“Our children are part of our life, why wouldn’t we want them to be happy and content doing things we like to do?”

James Hook is one of a growing number of cellar door owners who are keeping mums and dads happy by catering for their little ones, too. The winemaker, who runs Lazy Ballerina with his partner Miriam Bourne, welcomes families to his Dingabledinga property – between McLaren Flat and Kuitpo.

“We started out as a cellar door, but, as life changes, you find things going in a different direction,” James says. As well as whipping up crowd-pleasing pizzas, Lazy Ballerina offers plenty of lawn and nature play for kids to explore (and tire out their little legs).

But wineries aren’t the only ones heeding to the call.

Swell Brewing Co. Taphouse has fast become a favourite since opening in McLaren Vale 12 months ago, with lawn games, a vast array of craft beer on tap, and food for both big and little kids, cooked up by two of the Fleurieu’s best chefs – Todd Steele and Glenn Worrall.

It’s drinks-led dining ideal for summer months, when Mum and Dad want to enjoy some play dates, too.

These are our top picks.

FOR A GROUP

LAZY BALLERINA

This is the kind of place you herd a group of friends and their kids for a catch-up without the hassle. Picture a big beautiful garden, with tables scattered across the lawn making it easy to watch little ones roam. Owners James Hook and Miriam Bourne are hosting twilight dinners with live music for three Fridays in summer, starting December 20. Bookings here are essential – the owners don’t let it get
too crowded.

● Food: A $40 “let us feed you” lunch kicks off with a seasonal produce platter (think housemade dukkha, cheese and dips) and pizzas through the afternoon. It’s $20 for kids under 15 and free for under 7.

● Drinks: James makes the wines and they cater to most tastes, from a sparkling to a shiraz. There’s also Swell beers and cider, and Vale Ale.

● Kids will love: Climbing logs and ball games. There's also plenty of shade and Sunshine Ice Blocks.

2019 Vintage Report

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2019 Vintage Report by James Hook

Wines made: Shiraz, Grenache, Viognier, & Non-Vintage Sparkling Wines.

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The McLaren Vale wine region relied on its advantage, natural and constructed, to have a successful vintage for 2019. Specifically, proximity to the moderating temperature influence of the Gulf St Vincent, reliable spring rainfall, and access to multiple irrigation sources and helped vineyards cope with a challenging dry and hot season.

The reported harvest from McLaren Vale was 33,038 tonnes in 2019. Over the past five years (2014-18), the average crush has been 36,492 tonnes. This year’s vintage was 9 per cent below the average.

The growing season rainfall from October to the end of March was 142mm, compared to the average of 172mm, the deficit in rain occurring during summer. The dry conditions posed significant challenges for local grape growers. A lack of summer rain meant the irrigation was important to make up for the shortfall. Using timely irrigation, firstly to develop a canopy large enough to sustain vineyard crops, then maintain the health of vines until harvest was vital.

Disease pressure (governed by rainfall, humidity and temperature) was very low for this vintage compared to the 2017 Vintage, our last season with above average rainfall, and other seasons with serious issues (1993 – downy mildew, 2011 - botrytis).  

There were two specific extreme weather events that did significantly alter vineyard development and ripening. Firstly, there was an intense hail storm in late November. The storm saw high speed winds buffet vines and hail fell leaving scars on some fruit. Then in late January we experienced our hottest daytime temperature since January 2009, 45oC, plus several days in late February where the temperatures were about 38oC.

What was fruit like at harvest? Good, but there wasn’t as much of it as we’d like. At harvest vineyards in the McLaren Vale wine region generally had lower yields of fruit with more intense flavour. Vines had more open bunches, which weighed less than average.

The collective "we", the McLaren Vale grape and wine community, live and breathe our “big three” red varieties (Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon). Shiraz accounts for approximately 60% of our harvested tonnage. Cabernet Sauvignon is 19% and Grenache is 5%. Shiraz yields were significantly down, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache held better. For the second season in a row, our late season varieties (Mourvèdre, Montepulicano and Nero d’Avalo) held well until they were picked in late March.

Grape picking took just over 4 weeks to complete starting at full pace in the first week of March and ending at the end of the month. The report from winemakers on wine quality has been good, and winemaking was made easier by lower tonnages allowing for close attention the winery. Winemakers could use extended ferments if they required as there was little pressure to turn fruit into wineries compared to bumper years.

The combination of hail in November, a dry summer and hot weather in January and February is expected to reduce the overall size of our harvest compared to recent years. The 2019 McLaren Vale vintage yielded 33,038 tonnes of winegrapes, which was a 9% decrease compared to 2018 and roughly 9% below the five-year regional average.

Kuitpo Kollective: Social Pics

Thanks for helping us with this great event. The first Kuitpo Kollective was a big success. Thanks to those who enjoyed the day with us for our afternoon wine market.

Out in the vineyard on the hottest day of all time

Video blogging on the hottest day of the year with Gill Gordon Smith.

Forest of Riches

There’s something about Kuitpo. The pine tree-packed corner of the Adelaide Hills is home to a collection of little known vineyards producing some of the best grapes in the state. But the spotlight will soon be shining on South Australia’s hidden gem.

Winter time in the vineyard...

Did you know next vintages crop (Vintage 2019) is already here? The fruit for next year is currently kept tightly packed inside the grapevines winter bud. The grape bud keeps next Vintage safe through frost, hail, wind and anything else winter can throw at it. Inside the bud wooly material packs tight around the

These buds will burst in spring around the start of September revealing their true form. 

Winter buds. 

Did you know you can look inside a grape bud under a microscope and see the next seasons bunches? During winter scientists check the health of the next vintage by looking for signs of damage or disease inside grape buds. A trained eye can see this bud is healthy and has two potential bunches. Bunches packed tight inside the bud have a scientific name, inflorescence primordia, which means the “earliest form of flower”.

A dissected grapevine bud from the inside. 

Looking at buds under a microscope is tricky so we collect samples from the vineyard and bring them back to a laboratory where we have special tools and lights. 

Why is these bud brown on the inside? Both buds have started to die, turning “necrotic”, which means it will not shoot out in spring and produce grape like we want!  Grape buds die because of environmental factors like water stress, or sometimes they have disease or microscopic insects chewing on them. 

Budburst. Grapevine buds will burst in spring around the start of September revealing their true form. 

2018 Vintage Report

Following up on 2017 with another classic year

Vintage Report by James Hook

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Wines made:

Shiraz, Grenache, Viognier, & Non-Vintage Sparkling Wines.

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Harvest at the Rosedale Vineyard: Sellicks Foothills: McLaren Vale Wine Region. 

As the newly juiced wine is being put into barrels to begin maturation, we can now pass comment on the season. 

The reported harvest from McLaren Vale was 35,650 tonnes in 2018, compared with 44,153 tonnes in 2017 – a decline of 19%. Over the past five years, the average crush has been 36,408 tonnes. This year’s vintage was very similar to the average.

The vintage in McLaren Vale is being touted as producing wine of excellent quality. The collective "we", the McLaren Vale grape and wine community, live and breathe the “big three” red varieties (Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon). The big three combined are around 80% of our wine production. Each of these were suited by the season.

Fruit around Kuitpo and Hope Forest (technically in the Adelaide Hills Wine Region with a mix of grapes that includes cooler climate varieties like Pinot Noir) also when very smoothly. 

At this early point we are scoring the vintage between 8/10 and near perfect. The best sites are going to be as good as our region produces.

The wine quality was set up by having a good wet season in 2017 which mean healthy vines, but a dry season this year, which prevented excessive vigour or disease problems.

Summer and early Autumn were unusually dry, there was as little as 10mm of rain from 1st of January to picking in the middle of March. Fortunately McLaren Vale growers have access to multiple water sources, including recycled water, which allows for timely irrigation - and sites in Kuitpo thrive in drier seasons. 

Favourable summer ripening weather with daytime temperatures in the high twenties, with cool nights, led to fruit in great condition at picking. The good condition of fruit going into the winery allowed winemakers the freedom to take time and give full care in the winery.

Crop yields were 15-20% down on Vintage 2017 which was a bumper crop compared to average. The yields recorded this year are in line with the averages picked from 2010 to 2016.  

Lazy Ballerina 2017: People's Choice Business of the Year.

We are very pleased to announce we were awarded The People's Choice Business of the Year at the McLaren Vale Business Association Awards, sponsored by SeaLink.

Thanks to all of YOU who voted.

With love and appreciation to Paul and Pat Hook, John and Evenlyn Bourne (our parents), plus our friends who help at the business; Suzy Lincoln, Mel Hage, Tim Cox, Josh Cuffley, Katie Cameron, Hannah Moncrief, and Lucinda Martin.

Thanks to our family Elizabeth Hook, Sarah-Jane Hook and Jeremy Picton-King. Davis Bourne and our sister in Darwin, Lydia.

For yummy food we use and recommend, 'Our Place', Willunga Hill, Matchett Productions, Baylies Epicurean Delights, B.-d. Farm Paris Creek, Kommon Grounds Coffee, Howie Hill Farm and Beerenberg Farm.

Grape growers and winemakers Inkwell Wines, Rusty Mutt, WayWood Wines.

For technical help, inspiration and advice PCS Accountants, Fleurieu Figures, Chilli Chocolate Marketing, DJ's Growers and Winey Kids.

Tasting Note from Arnie: Sydney

Tasting Note from our client Arnie, a long term Lazy Ballerina collector. 

 "Last night I opened the very first bottle of 2007 Shiraz of the dozen I bought from you back in 2008.

WOW just WOW, what a wine. I know you said that it would cellar well but I wasn’t expecting this.

It still is a baby and the fruit concentration is amazing and all the acid and tannins are there to support it.

It was just sublime on the nose even as soon as I opened it. I quadruple decanted it and it didn’t even blink an eye, I saved half of it in a half bottle and gonna try it tonight.

I think I won’t touch remaining 11 bottles for another decade.

Kudos to you making just a wine at a such price point.

I just can’t imagine how 2007 Sellicks Foothills Shiraz ( got 6 bottles) of gonna turn out if ordinary Shiraz is this good?

Keep the good work going."