Ask any winemaker what is the best vintage and they will usually tell you it’s the current one they are selling! But 2013 is looking like it is going to be another great year. And this is on the back of the unforgettable 2012 which some have said is the best in a generation.
At present, we only have a few more weeks left of the current vintage, then all the fruit will be picked and the winemaking process underway. In Barossa our previous winter was very dry, with only half our usual rainfall. This meant subsoil moisture was well down, and irrigation was required at a much earlier stage.
Talking to a few wineries around the Barossa wine region has indicated that yields (amount of fruit harvested per hectare) has been very variable. A few producers have indicated that they have harvested only ten percent of average yield! Most have harvested 75% of average yield, with a few fortunate producers having an average year in terms of tonnage produced.
While volume produced seems to be slightly lower around the region, everyone seems to be very happy with the quality. It has been a nice dry vintage, with a hot spell early on. This has sped things up in the vineyard, resulting in a very quick and slightly early harvest. Vintage has been a 2-3 weeks earlier this year. The berries have been quite small, so expect more intense flavours, with great colour and firm tannins in the reds. It will be interesting to taste the flavours given the quicker ripening season.
If you plan to visit the Barossa Valley, just check our travel guide here and if you are planning a tour we have some enticing wine tour options of the region.
Written by: Jason, Winerist’s Barossa regional expert and fabulous tour guide!