Vintage 2015
We are delighted to report another high quality vintage for 2015 although not without some contrasts. On the plus side, a somewhat mild summer gave quality is quite literally great, with all varieties show outstanding colour and fruit character.
On the other hand, as Mother Nature decided we couldn’t have our cake and eat it, so yields are well down, around 30% below average, the result of an early budburst and wet Spring, which resulted in fewer bunches that flowered badly. The low yields have been a source of fun and frustration. The winery crew have been enjoying the luxury of a few days off and even a bit of surfing. Meanwhile, the French Expeditionary Force, otherwise known as the backpackers, are immensely frustrated by the lack of work, limiting their extra days for their Working Holiday visas, not to mention cash in their wallets.
Cyclone Olwyn loomed over us right at the end. These things rarely affect the Margaret River region, although Cyclone Alby, in 1978, still lives in the memory of all Western Australians who witnessed it. This event aside, strong winds are, fortunately, rare. Rain is our biggest concern such happened in 1989, by far Keith’s most difficult vintage. This year, after giving us a pause for concern, Cyclone Olwyn went easy on us, delivering only 30mm. We had all but finished, with only Cabernet Sauvignon still on the vines and even that was half finished and in the fermenters. The remaining sections were not fully ripe and so we decided to wait it out and hope for the best.
In the end we have been lucky.