The harvest is all over, the wines are either in tank or barrel, but is the 2011 vintage finished? Not quite yet. This is the time of fine tuning, filtering, blending and barrel ageing, as we take the fruit of 2011 and convert it into the best wines they can be for you to enjoy.

Loading the Crusher - Cabernet 2011 - Jo supervising Steve

The last harvest was the Nebbiolo, on Friday 25th March. There was much relief from us all that the season was over. It has been one of our hottest on record, which at times meant we were under the pump to get the fruit picked before the worst heat of the day. Mark doesn't like hot fruit.

  

One of the other difficulties experienced by us this season was because WA had such hot weather, both day and night, our chiller system was working to it's max, to keep wines cool. When we got talking to other winemakers we discovered we weren't alone.

  

Overall Mark is very happy, and the 2011 wines are looking good. The whites are almost finished including the Arneis, which we know many are eagerly awaiting. An advantage of the hot weather is that we had a season of minimal disease pressure, so fabulous clean fruit full of flavours. It is going to be interesting to see how they progress.

  

Easter is almost upon us and we are now in the process of getting post harvest jobs done around the vineyard,giving the vines some nutrients before they shut down for winter, and tidying up around the place. Our son Bailey will be helping out these holidays getting some painting done around the cellar - the timbers are long over due for a re-oil! He is off to Europe for school in October so is working to pay his way - probably sounds familiar to any of you with children.

  

We wish you all a safe and happy Easter with your families and friends, and look forward to catching up again soon.

  

Warm Regards, Mark & Pippa