The 2024 harvest in Australia

The wines of Central and Southern Victoria 2024 will be some of the top wines of the last decade alongside 2018 and 2014. 

After a challenging start to the growing season which included both floods and fires, 2024 produced near perfect conditions throughout the majority of the critical ripening period for most varieties in cooler climate regions. The rains stopped in late January with a dry, mild summer, and warm dry autumn. This produced fruit with excellent balance of colour, flavour, tannin, and balanced sugar levels. The unusual double of higher yields together with excellent Quality was achieved. Due to a lack of rain during the ripening period the season which started late finished relatively early with a steady ripening progressing each day.

vintage summary Lady’s Lane

The third of three years with La Nina conditions produced relatively wet winter and spring. On a dry grown site this produced ideal conditions for a strong, fruitful and even budburst. The growing conditions in through spring and early summer were challenging with frequent rainfall events and very vigorous canopy growth. Unusually for a dry grown vineyard, canopy trimming was required in December to control excess vigour. From February the conditions were ideal with mostly mild dry weather. The Lady’s Lane Shiraz block is comprised of three clones, and these were hand harvested between the 14th and 20th March. Baume levels ranged from 14.2 – 14.5Be. Picking the block in stages allows each parcel to be at its peak when harvested.

Vintage summary Pyrenees

The growing season in The Pyrenees started very similar to that of the past two seasons. However we were able to manage the vineyards relatively problem free until early December, unlike the past two seasons. The next six weeks would prove very difficult. From December and mid January the Pyrenees vineyards recieved approximately 175ml of rain as well as a hail event in early January. The timing of the rain meant that the vines started growing very quickly and it wasn’t long before the canopies were out of control which increased disease pressure. In early January a hail event occurred and affected both the Landsborough Vineyard and the Malakoff Vineyard. Unfortunately Landsborough was effected the worst, with losses of approx. 5-10%. Fortunately, in late January the rain ceased and made for a terrific ripening season with some beautiful cool and dry conditions.

Lady’s Lane Vineyard Shiraz, Heathcote VIC

fermentation with natural yeasts took place in concrete fermenters. The fermentation ran for approximately 1 week and an extended maceration in mid-April.

Great flavour and intensity of colour were seen across the site. Natural acid levels were balanced and did not require any adjustments in the winery. This is unusual for red grapes in Australia and the cooler season was a major factor of relatively high and ideal acidity levels. The wine is an intense blood red in colour. Dark berry aromas and flavours, the wine has a rich and full mid palate with a ripe solid tannin structure. The wine has excellent length and will mature well for many years given correct cellaring conditions.

Landsborough Valley Vineyard, Pyrenees VIC 
Chardonnay

After careful removing hail many damaged bunches in the vineyard our Chardonnay was hand harvested on the 29th of February. The grapes were pressed as soon as possible, and heavy solids allowed to settle for a few hours. The juice was filled to a mix of new, 1- and 2-year-old barrels for fermentation. Lees stirring occurs weekly. The nose shows hints of lime along with white peach on the pallet balanced with nice acidity and slight minerality. A partial malolactic fermentation is encouraged to soften the acidity of this cool climate Chardonnay.

Shay’s Flat Vineyard Shiraz, Pyrenees VIC

Harvesting of Shay’s Flat Shiraz occurred from 12th - 14th March 2024. Fermentation with natural yeasts took place in concrete fermenters, and an extended maceration for one month occurred before pressing.

The 2024 Shiraz of Shays Flat shows fantastic inky dark purple colour, intense dark berry and pepper flavours with natural acid levels that were balanced with only minimal adjustments required in the winery. The wine has a rich and full mid palate with a ripe solid tannin structure.

Malakoff Vineyard Shiraz, Pyrenees VIC

The fruit was harvested between the 3rd – 11th April 2024. Fermentation with natural yeasts took place in concrete fermenters. The fermentation ran for approximately 2 weeks and an extended maceration for one month occurred before pressing the wine late May. Gentle extraction by pumping over and long skin contact ensures elegant and fine tannins. Good colour, dark berry aromas and subtle savoury flavours, the wine has a rich and full mid palate.

Saddleback Shiraz, Pyrenees VIC

The fruit was harvested on 23rd March 2024 and fermentation with natural yeasts took place in concrete fermenters. The fermentation ran for approximately 2 weeks and an extended maceration for one month occurred before pressing the wine late May. Gentle extraction by pumping over and long skin contact ensures elegant and fine tannins. Excellent colour, dark berry and earthy aromas, subtle spices along with savoury flavours, the wine has a rich and full mid palate.

L-Block Shiraz, Pyrenees VIC

Hand harvested on 11th April 2024 the fruit from this small L shaped block was fermented with natural yeasts in a concrete fermenter. The fermentation ran for approximately 2 weeks and an extended maceration for one month occurred before pressing the wine late May. Gentle extraction by pumping over and long skin contact ensures elegant and fine tannins. Intense ruby colour, black fruits, hints of violet, the wine has a rich and full mid palate.



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