Top Drops to come! Geelong Wine Growers Celebrate Vintage ’09 Silver Lining

Geelong wine growers are celebrating! Despite record low yields, vintage 2009 is being heralded as delivering a true silver lining - producing some of the best fruit quality this region has ever seen.

Geelong Wine Association Executive, Robyn Fitzpatrick said although most vineyards reported an average 40% reduction in yields, the majority were thrilled with fruit quality and were looking forward to releasing some exceptional wines.

Ms Fitzpatrick said reduced yield vintages often brought exceptional results from vines because of the resultant increase in grape varietal nuance intensity and structure.

Scott Ireland of Provenance Vineyard, agreed, saying that the fruit quality of season 08/09 was outstanding.

“Natural tannin structure has never looked so powerful and fine which has enabled the use of winemaking techniques often dreamt of - it is rare fruit that facilitates their application and this vintage, we’ve got it!” Mr Ireland said.

Amongst other vignerons cheering Vintage ’09 were Peter Slattery of McAdams Lane, who said “this year’s harvest was our best yet!” and Richard Austin of Austin’s Wines who said “we had our lowest yields ever but exceptional quality.”

Douglas Neal of Paradise IV said his vineyard had “the perfect vintage!”

“We managed to avoid damage from the heat wave as our fruit had not veraised when the wall of heat hit in late January. A cool February and March ensured a slow ripening with all varieties reaching perfect flavour ripeness at low baumes in April,” Mr Neal said.

Ms Fitzpatrick said the Geelong region should also count itself lucky that it was fortunate enough not to be badly affected by the horrendous natural disasters that have gripped the country in the last 12 months.

“Our grapes were not affected by smoke taint or fire damage in any way, so we are truly blessed. In addition, although water supply has been an issue, most Geelong vineyards have implemented state-of-the-art water management systems so that grape nutrition and nurturing has not been compromised,” she said.

“Vintage ’09 will see some tremendous local wines emerge – we are talking multi-award winning, serious wines so I would recommend people look out for them – those who know their wines will seek the Geelong region out.”