As the year draws to a close, we look back at a challenging season and harvest in the vineyard.
This is a chance for the vineyard to catch a moment of rest for the soil, vines and the team behind it. For many growers, particularly in the South East, this year was a battle against the forces of nature, as weather patterns made for one of the most difficult growing seasons in recent memory. Fluctuating humidity, consistent rainfall and mild temperatures created the ideal conditions for disease, highlighting the need for vineyard expertise and localised knowledge.
Downy mildew and botrytis, common diseases in wet and warm climates, were aggressive in vineyards across the region. Frequent rainfall led to canopies and alleyways remaining damp for long periods of time, creating the perfect environment for sporulation and increasing infection rates for these pathogens.
Even with diligent canopy management, the disease pressure was relentless. Leaves and clusters that should have been sunlit and ventilated instead found themselves continuously exposed to high moisture levels. Growers who typically follow sustainable or organic practices faced especially high pressures, as reduced options for chemical intervention meant that timing and precision were everything.
Spray programmes designed with meticulous timing to keep diseases at bay were put to the test under these conditions. Intermittent rainfall created a need for adaptivity with rescheduling spray applications, ensuring good coverage and timing of preventative chemicals, as well as additional leaf removal by targeting basal leaves and ensuring maximum airflow. Many growers increased their rounds of canopy thinning and leaf removal, working to keep disease at a manageable level.
Beyond disease, this year’s weather patterns made for a nerve-wracking ripening period as well.
The grapes developed more slowly than usual, with some varieties lagging in sugar levels while others reached ripeness only to risk the damaging effects of early autumn rains. Achieving balanced ripeness became a difficult equation that required growers to weigh the risk of prolonged hang time against the possibility of dilution, botrytis or pest damage.
Many vineyards adjusted their harvest dates at the last minute, some opting for an earlier pick in the hope of preserving quality while others held on, hoping the rain would hold off and sunlight would prevail. The harvest itself was marked by unpredictability. When dry spells came, pickers had to act quickly, gathering every available hand to bring in the fruit at optimal ripeness before another round of showers. In some cases, selective harvesting became necessary, with clusters less affected by mildew picked first to prevent the spread of disease to the winery.
The silver lining of this challenging season is a crop that, while smaller, carries unique potential. Though this year’s grapes faced obstacles, the adversity has lent itself to some unexpected qualities. Many winemakers are noticing concentrated flavours and nuanced profiles, thanks to the selective harvest and careful sorting.
Reduced yields can often intensify flavours in the wine, and there’s hope that the stress endured by the vines will translate into wines that express a powerful character and a story of resilience.
For now, the vines and vineyard teams can rest. While the disease pressure tested everyone, it also revealed the strength of the team and the knowledge that a difficult year can still produce wines with character and depth.
As the soil begins its winter slumber, growers are already thinking ahead, considering how they’ll adapt and prepare for future seasons with renewed dedication. The quiet of the vineyard in these final days of the year reminds us that each season, no matter how difficult, is part of the ongoing journey in the pursuit of great wine.
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