Vintage Reports

Every vintage is challenging, however Vintage 2008 seemed to be a little more difficult than those of the last few years, due to the extreme changes in weather.  Despite challenging conditions, the fruit quality obtained this vintage has been very good.

Overall, the white varieties’ flavour profiles developed faster than the baumè levels allowing the winemakers to craft wines with fresher varietal characteristics and lower alcohols.  The red varieties on the other hand ripened extremely quickly,  creating wines with nice ripe fruit characters and vibrant colours.   Beelgara’s total crush for 2008 was 11,654 Tonnes, an increase of 8,690 Tonnes from the 2007 vintage

Vintage commenced on 31st January; one of the earliest vintages in recent years.  Early season rainfall was cause for considerable trepidation amongst both growers and winemakers.  Most of the above average rainfall for January fell in the latter part of the month, and all the rain for February fell at the beginning of the month.  Some of the white varieties, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, were harvested early to avoid any incidence of disease and ensure the fruit was in its best condition.  Come March, the weather dried up and the temperatures soared to unseasonally high levels.  This in turn created pressure on intake at the winery with nearly all the red blocks ripening at once.  Shiraz became the priority in order to prevent grapes shrivelling.  The last red was harvested on the 31st of March.

Chief Winemaker Rod Hooper was very pleased with the outcomes of  Vintage 2008 across both white and red varieties.  The alcohol content of the white wine produced this year is lower than previous years due to the earlier harvesting.  Chardonnay stood out from the perspective of our Chief Winemaker Rod Hooper.  “The Chardonnays were a highlight of the 2008 Vintage. The wines crafted this year are elegant and well balanced with lower alcohol levels. Very different to the Chardonnays of previous years that have been overly broad and very alcoholic” he said. Sauvignon Blanc also looked very good, exhibiting passionfruit and gooseberry aromas, typical of cooler climate Sauvignon Blancs. The palate shows excellent fruit weight and length with passionfruit and tropical flavours. The sparkling wine produced during the 2008 vintage has also been a success.  The wine shows nice green apple aromas and flavours characteristic of sparkling wine.

The warm weather in March ensured the fast ripening of the red varieties. There was no concern with regards to baumè targets not being reached. “Shiraz once again was the outstanding red variety produced. The Shiraz showed amazing berry fruit characters and richness with vibrant colour”, Rod Hooper said. “Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot also look good.  The ripeness of this fruit is at its optimum and any green tannin or leafy characters are not apparent”, he said.

For a year that looked good for Botrytis infection the Semillon block nominated for the dessert wine took its time in becoming affected.  The heat on the back end of vintage slowed this process.   A few showers through April helped to increase the levels of Botrytis infection.  The fruit was hand picked on 13th May and harvesting of the Botrytis Semillon concluded the 2008 Vintage.

Vintage 2007

Beelgara viticulturists and winemakers were optimistic about 2007 vintage; some even declaring this to be the region's best in over a decade.

Chief Winemaker, Rod Hooper, reports that, while quantity was down overall when compared to recent years, there was been a significant - and directly proportional - lift in quality. Rod attributes this reduced harvest to decreased availability of water, cool-to-moderate spring weather resulting in a slow start to shoot development, and low sub-soil moisture level during those months.

The quality of the grapes this year, says viticulturist Geoff Bray, is "great" despite being "logistically challenging" with both red and white grapes coming into the winery at the same time. Notwithstanding these challenges, Geoff maintains the fruit is extremely clean and disease-free.

Winemaker at Beelgara for 12 years, Danny Toaldo, was especially impressed with the brilliant colour of the reds and the exceptional quality of varietal character of the whites this vintage. To summarise ... the reds are outstanding in terms of colour, ripe fruit expression and tannin development. Similarly, whites are displaying greater depth of flavour and purity of varietal fruit characters than in recent years, although fruit from some Semillon vines was only half that produced in previous years. Judge for yourself when the fruit from the labours of our hard-working growers is transformed into distinctive wines of uniquely Riverina flavour - proudly bottled under a Beelgara label.

Vintage 2006

A mild, wet Winter and mid Spring storms, ensured good fruit set. Unusually warm weather late December ensured crops levels remained manageable. Vintage began approximately two weeks later than the previous year, with aromatic and light bodied white varieties commencing on the 9 February and the first medium bodied reds harvested on the 22 February. Weather conditions through harvest remained warm and dry allowing harvest to continue through to the middle of May with little pressure.

Vintage 2005

The 2004/2005 season started out with an early budburst. Seasonal growing conditions were ideal, with Spring and Summer being relatively dry and cool. Vintage began ten days earlier than last year. Ideal ripening conditions continued with warm days and cool nights and drier than average conditions during March. Crops yields were variable, although generally down on average, and down significantly on last year. The variability in yield and cool weather resulted in a long ripening period for each variety. However, varieties ripened concurrently making a relatively condensed vintage. Fruit condition and quality was generally excellent with the ideal season. High colour levels were found in red varieties. Disease levels were lower than average.