The 2003 vintage started with near perfect spring conditions. Moist soil got the vines off to an early start helped along by the occasional shower resulting in healthy balanced canopies. Fine weather during flowering resulted in good set amongst all varieties with the exception of Sauvignon Blanc. However, due to carry over effects from last season the crop load was reduced slightly. This was manifested by normal number of bunches per vine but smaller bunch weights, overall reducing the harvest by approximately 10%. Dry conditions with long warm summer days ensured perfect ripening until one rain patch in early autumn. All the sparkling fruit, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio and most of the chardonnay and pinot were picked just before the rain. Due to our well drained gravely soils only a short delay of seven days was needed to dry things out and vintage was on again but with cooler conditions. The remaining 20% of the fruit came in excellent condition with little or no botrytis. Overall a pretty good vintage with good colour and flavour and elegant structure across all varieties.

The annual rainfall on our vineyard was about 16 inches.with higher acid and low pH levels. Our rigorous crop thinning regime really paid dividends this year allowing us to make wines with strong flavour and great balance in a cool year. Overall a good year providing elegant wines with some exceptional parcels of sparkling fruit and the best Merlot we have seen yet.

The annual rainfall in our vineyard was about 30 inches. Wine Details:

Wine Name: Pinot Grigio

Date Picked: 2nd April

Cropped at: @ 12.9 baumé kg/vine

Particulars: Beautifully ripened fruit

Wine Name: Riesling

Date Picked: 5th April, 1st May

Cropped at: @ 11.7, 11.3 baumé kg/vine

Particulars: Two blocks one with a little botrytis, the other none. Very citrus like.

Wine Name: Sauvignon Blanc

Date Picked: 18th March

Cropped at: @ 13 baumé kg/vine

Particulars: Small crop of well balanced fruit.

Wine Name: Chardonnay

Date Picked: 1st April

Cropped at: @ 12.9 baumé kg/vine

Particulars: Very clean elegant flavours

Wine Name: Pinot Noir

Date Picked: 27th March, 10th April

Cropped at: @ 12.7, 13 baumé kg/vine

Particulars: Clean fruit, soft, good flavour

Wine Name: Merlot

Date Picked: 24th April

Cropped at: @ 13.1 baumé kg/vine

Particulars: Good crop of ripe fruit excellent colour.