21/02/2026
This week we took our first samples of Shiraz and Grenache for vintage đ
Itâs been a very different lead-in. Not one weâve experienced before. The weather has definitely kept things interesting⊠and unpredictable.
We had decent winter and spring rain through 2025, and a mild start to summer. But lately, itâs been heatwaves and dry conditions. Since December, weâve had just 5mm of rain. Eighty-two days and counting!
Like us humans, the vines have really felt the heat. Even the irrigated blocks have started dropping leaf. Normally, in hot and dry seasons, we see vines race through veraison and sugar levels climb quickly. But this year, that didnât happen. Whether it was the timing, the extreme heat, or the crop load, the vines went into survival mode. Sugars barely moved. They shed leaves. They even sacrificed whole bunches to save the rest. Something weâve never seen before.
With milder weather and careful irrigation, theyâve come through it and now? Theyâre building incredible flavour đđ»
So today, the 19th of February, when in some years weâve already finished picking, Lloyd took the first samples.
The Shiraz is looking good. The canopyâs thinning, but the fruit is ripening nicely. Thereâs a bit of bird damage, which is actually a good sign. If the grapes are smelling and tasting sweet, the flying rats wonât stay away. The roof-mounted laser is fighting its annual losing battle. We just need it to hang in there a little longer.
And the colour in the juice? Thatâs a beautiful indicator that harvest is very close.
Grenache had a tougher time. Wind during flowering meant poor fruit set, so bunches are a little more gappy. Like an Englishmanâs smile. Lloydâs half-English, so we can say that đ
As expected, itâs a couple of BaumĂ© behind the Shiraz. But what it lacks in sugar right now, it more than makes up for in crunchy acidity and freshness.
With a big band of rain forecast for Sunday, everyone across the Barossa is staring into their crystal balls and figuring out the plan for next week đź Weâve booked the hand pickers to get some fruit off for rosĂ©.
The organised chaos of vintage is almost here.
Happy vintage, friends!đ·
