Vintage report, 2011

Well, what a year to deal with grapes, approx 150 mm of rain fell in Febuary/March creating all sorts of hassles with the harvest, and that was after a long cool and damp summer! Jamie Helyar, from whom we source a lot of our grapes advised he sprayed to combat mildew thirteen times, as against a normal summer when he would do it five to six times.

As a consequence we didn't harvest quite as many grapes, very disappointing to not be able to pick any Chardonnay, particularly after the 2010 went so well, I suppose there's always 2012.

We have been lucky with the Sauvignon Blanc, picking a bit more than the previous year, of surprisingly good quality, but when we went back the week after to take some more, the grapes had gone to a mouldy mush, we ended up tipping that lot out. The first pick is now ready for bottling, scheduled for the 25th, so the samples will be in the mail in June.

After the positive experience with the Florance vineyard in 2010, we followed up with some more grapes from there, but, once again due to the damp conditions, had to pick it a bit earlier than optimum, and were fortunate enough to score one good parcel of Shiraz, though nowhere near the quality of the 2010 vintage. That particular wine is progressing exceptionally well in barrel, the few members who have tried it were really impressed, we're really looking forward to showing it to everyone later in the year, as an example of what KI reds can do when all the little ducks line up, in terms of season, vineyard management and winemaking processes.

The photos accompanying this email is of the various ferments bubbling away downstairs in the work area, for 3-4 weeks it is a really colourful, and aromatic display of winemaking, make a point of calling in early March next year.

Winery location via Google

As ever, I am more than happy to discuss any aspects of our operation with any members who'd like to call, 0408393991.

All the best,
Colin.

Member :

Kangaroo Island Grapegrowers
& Winemakers Association