The 2007 season started with an extra cold chilly winter, this ensured good vine dormancy and promoted an even bud burst in Spring 2007.

The warmer than usual October weather, together with good subsoil moisture, subsequently promoted hardy even growth in the vineyard.

The canopy continued to bloom during November with the mild weather dominating. A gradual reduction in soil moisture occurred during November and December, checking succulent growth and ensuring a low disease pressure growing season.

Flowering of the vines in early December proceeded rapidly achieving a faultless bunch set. We then took the decision to undertake early and substantial crop thinning, hence setting the vines on a path to produce lower yields and higher quality grapes.

The consistently hot weather in January encouraged maturity producing excellent flavours. We then made the decision to undertake a second round of thinning in some blocks, as it was necessary to bring yield back to guarantee complexity and intensity of flavour.

Excellent weather conditions prevailed allowing us to adopt an almost organic spray program throughout the vineyard, with no insecticide or botrytis sprays applied.
Our vineyards are almost organic due to the wonderful
dry maritime climate in Granton which ensures against disease, together with our recent investment in a state
of the art sprayer and leaf plucker.

Our healthy well-balanced vines grew beautifully through the colder than usual month of February, which had the effect of slowing the rate of ripening.

The flavours of the grapes developed ahead of time in the vineyard this year, allowing us to pick slightly earlier to produce a fresher more structured wine, without sacrificing fruit concentration.

Harvesting began in late February for sparkling bases, whilst harvesting of our table wines commenced in mid March, finishing with the late varieties in mid April.

Overall I believe the quality of every variety in our vineyard this vintage is outstanding and I am very excited and eager to see how these wines develop.