As a viticulturist I always have one eye on the weather. After a very dry first half of the year the past few months have seen above average rainfall and as a result the soil is totally wetted up and the dams are nearly full. As a consequence of the wet ground bud burst this year is slower and later than recent years. Whether this translates into a later vintage will depend on the weather we get in the next three months.
Frost is always an issue at this time of the year. There was a very light frost on September 17th but at -0.7deg C it was not cold enough, for long enough, to do any damage to the new shoots. When the temperature stays below -1.0 deg C for several hours we start to get concerned and if it gets to -3.0 deg or less then we know we are in trouble. October 31st is generally considered to be the end of the frost risk period so until then we keep our fingers crossed.
Springtime in the Yarra Valley is always a special time of the year. Blackwood wattles are starting to come into bloom and wildflowers are in abundance. In our bush block flowering Bulbine lilies and Greenhood orchids have been precious finds.
Blue tongue lizards are starting to come out from their winter sleep, seeking out warm rocks around the property and one of our resident Echidnas has been seen foraging on ants and other insects in rotting timbers.
By this time next month the vine growth will be racing away and we will have the first estimates of crop for the harvest next year. Let’s hope it all looks good.
Jamie.