2021 Chardonnay

Winter rainfall following the 2020 vintage was near average for the first time in three years so that soils filled to saturation point, but the spaced-out nature of the rainfall and drier than average July meant there was minimal run off for our dam. An anxious period followed with dry conditions for the third year running, hand in hand with frequent, moderate frosts in October and November. Despite frosts and wind, fruit set was good and the trajectory was for a much greater yield than prior vintages. Accordingly adjustments were made in the vineyard with shoot and bunch thinning in some blocks to ensure quality.

Summer was dry, but cool. Thankfully there were timely rainfall events during the growing season and importantly a crucial rain of 21mm at the start of veraison on 7 February providing enough moisture for the vines to adequately ripen their fruit through to an extended harvest that started on 13th March with Riesling and finished with Cabernet and Shiraz on 30th April. In summary the 2021 vintage shows great quality and a very welcome return to worthwhile yields across all varieties that will translate to excellent wines on the table and in the cellar. 2021, one to remember!