VINTAGE 2023

The season started with unseasonably warm weather in June at the start of winter The cool conditions prevailed into spring although rainfall returned to more average levels.

The chilly weather delayed budburst by up to 3 weeks. The combined rainfall across October and November was the highest ever recorded for the period. The cool weather conditions continued into December but with minimal rain from Christmas until the end of March. The long ripening period has led to complexity of flavours and has produced an elegant style of wine from this vintage.

Therefore, flowering was three weeks later than average in early December, rather than mid-November, and reminiscent of the ‘old days’, harvest began in early March.

Cool weather conditions and solid crops slowed ripening, but minimal rain from Christmas until the end of March kept any disease at bay and led to a sound harvest of pristine, quintessential Clare Valley Riesling, showing fantastic flavour ripeness and natural acidity.

Rain in April delayed the harvest of red varieties. The long ripening period has led to complexity of flavours and has produced an elegant style of red wine from this vintage, with Cabernet Sauvignon looking to be the standout.