Vintage 2023
Though vintage 2023 was a challenging season for grapegrowers and winemakers alike it has allowed their skills to shine, and we expect to see elegant McLaren Vale wines that express terroir.
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Ben Pridham
Summary of Vintage 2023
- The McLaren Vale wine region experienced good winter rains filling the soil profile in readiness for spring. Continued wet and cold conditions through out spring delayed budburst and resulted in slower shoot growth. Spring rainfall was higher than the McLaren Vale winter average. Multiple rain events during spring resulted in increased disease pressure and inflorescence loss, some varieties being more affected than others.
- Flowering occurred in late November and weather was mostly cool, wet, windy and cloudy adversely impacting on fruit set in across the region. With the advent of summer, rainfall stopped abruptly and conditions for December, January and February were dry and mild with only a few days above 40oC.
- The combination of late flowering and cool summer conditions resulted in a late harvest period. Once again cool wet autumn conditions combined to further slow ripening and prolong vintage.
- In summary vintage 2023 was cool and wet, harvest was later than usual, and yields were well below average. Whilst this has been a challenging season for grapegrowers and winemakers alike it has allowed their skills to shine, and we expect to see elegant wines that express terroir.