2020 has been one of the more challenging vintages we have had in our 23 years of growing grapes.
It started with a widespread frost shortly after bud burst which damaged about 75% of the crop. The vines regrow after frost, but the number of flowers (which become grapes) is always a lot smaller. During flowering there was a cold spell, which further reduced the number of flowers that set as grapes. The very dry period through Christmas and January reduced the growth of the berries when they are swelling. Then it turned wet for a while, and the rain threatened to ruin what was left at of the crop. Fortunately a warm dry spell took hold for harvest. Harvest finished on the 28th April, which is 2-3 weeks later than usual.
Some varieties (Cabernet and Viognier) had almost no fruit. Pinot, Shiraz and Chardonnay had enough to make useful quantities of wine. We harvested about 1/3 of our usual crop for the year.
If all of that sounds like a whinge its not intended to be. What’s happened to us is pretty typical for vineyards throughout the region. Farmers occasionally have bad years, and this is one of ours.
Also spare a thought for the wineries that have been burnt out in some regions. Or the ones that won’t harvest any grapes because of smoke taint from the fires. In the words of Monty Python, “we were lucky !”.
If there is one positive, the fruit we did pick looks very good. Yields are low and the fruit is clean. I expect the wines will be really nice. The cooler vintage will mean the wines will be more elegant than usual.
Roll on vintage 2021 !!