Winemakers Diary

The first of the month would normally bring a definite psychological adjustment as attention & focus swings towards the rapidly approaching harvest. However, the 2010/11 growing season has proven to be (euphemistically) “interesting”. Maturity is tracking about 3 weeks later than has been usual in the Yarra Valley for the last few years as wetter & cooler conditions keep the vines ticking over. They are experiencing such glorious conditions for growth that they seem to be more interested in producing leaves than diverting energy into the fruit. So we just have to continue positioning shoots & keeping the canopy open until the season turns & the vines steer their attention towards the grapes..

Conditions have proven consistently unpredictable with frequent rain & high humidity testing the endeavour of all the Yarra Yering crew. Over the past 6 months in the Yarra Valley, daily maximum temperatures have been well below the long term average, but the daily minimums have been higher which has dropped us right in the comfort zone for nurturing all manner of pestilence that could break-out & wreak havoc on the crop. It has been a relentless exercise in vigilance & pre-emptive action to help us “outwit, outplay & outlast” the disease spectre.
But, when all is put in perspective, our concerns are minimal compared to what has slammed other parts of the country this year.

We have just slashed the cover crop down for the 3rd time this season. Normally it would die off naturally when conditions became too hot & dry, but this year, like the vines, it is continuing to power on. The benefit is that it will be sucking up some of the moisture from the soil & providing competition to the vines.
For the early maturing varieties, we can finally see the finish line looming. Chardonnay, in particular, appears to have leapfrogged Pinot Noir in the last week & may well be ready for picking very late this month.
Despite the tribulations, it is shaping up to be a belter of a vintage. The vines are in the pink of health, & the crop is balanced & healthy. Historically, the cooler, wetter vintages at Yarra Yering have proven to produce amongst the most elegant, structured & ageworthy wines.
So we’re not far off putting our heads down & getting into it. By the time we come up for air again, it will be almost time for the May release of the 2009 vintage to our mailing list customers.

Hope to see you there.
Paul Bridgeman