what’s been happening in our vineyards
MARCH update
Out in the vineyard, things are running a little slower than usual this vintage, though nothing to worry about. The grapes are still coming along beautifully, quietly building those layers of flavour, acidity and tannin that make Coonawarra reds so special.
We’ve been keeping a close eye on vine and soil nutrients, topping up where needed to make sure the vines have everything they need to finish the season well. The weather has been kind too, with a few welcome showers amongst the sunny days, which is exactly what we like to see at this time of year.
We’re expecting to harvest our reds around mid-April, and we’re looking forward to seeing how this one shapes up.
FEBRUARY update
Out in the vineyard, the season has been quite dry, which is good news on the disease front. We’ve been keeping the water up to the vines and things are tracking along nicely. Coonawarra is in that quiet-before-the-storm phase. The picking and winemaking activity is still relatively calm, but it won’t be long before the region shifts into full vintage mode.
One of our favourite things about this time of year is the arrival of travelling winemakers and cellar hands who make their way to Coonawarra for vintage. It brings such a wonderful mix of nationalities and cultures to the region, and we are lucky enough to have some staying with us at the moment. Safe to say there is never a dull moment around here!
January update
First things first – our thoughts and hearts are with our Victorian wine industry mates who’ve been impacted by the recent fires. The wine industry brings its challenges at the best of times, and we’re hoping everyone rallies around those affected during this difficult period.
Back here in Coonawarra, we’re deep into summer mode in the vineyard. The vines are doing their thing beautifully. We’re constantly monitoring their moisture and nutrient levels to make sure they’re channelling all their energy exactly where it needs to go: into those developing berries.
We’ve had a proper mixed bag of weather (surprise, surprise), but the lack of humidity has been brilliant as it means virtually no disease pressure. For those playing at home, that’s exactly what you want to hear heading into vintage.
Things are looking promising as we head into the last month of summer. We’ll keep you posted as vintage approaches.
december update
Mother Nature sure has been throwing everything at us lately. We’ve had an extreme mix of rain, sunshine, and warmth, sometimes all in the same afternoon (classic South Australian weather, right?). But the vines are absolutely thriving, so we’re not complaining.
We sailed past the frost risk (the frost fans are finally getting a well-earned rest!), budburst has happened beautifully, and now we’re watching and waiting for flowering. It’s running a bit fashionably late compared to other years, but it shouldn’t be far away at all.
This is honestly one of our favourite times of year in the vineyard. There’s something magical about seeing the lush green leaves against the brilliant blue sky. It’s a reminder of why we love what we do. The vines are healthy, happy, and showing all the early signs of what should be another great vintage ahead.
november update
It’s been a cracker of a spring in the vineyard! We’ve had that perfect combination of rain followed by sunshine and a few warm days. While we all love the sunshine more than the rain, the vines are absolutely loving it.
Our sheep have been doing the rounds, munching away and keeping everything in check. They’re better than any mower, and they fertilise as they go, so that’s the ultimate win-win situation.
I think the best news of the season is the frost fans have stayed relatively quiet. After all that nervous checking last month, it’s brilliant to just watch things grow without holding our breath every morning.
All in all, everything’s tracking beautifully for vintage 2025. We’re cautiously optimistic and totally keeping a lid on it (we don’t want to jinx it!), but the vines are telling us it’s going to be a good year.
october update
The weather gods have been kind to us this month! We’ve had a brilliant mix of rain and sunshine, and the vines are absolutely thriving. Those tiny shoots from last month? They’re now proper little branches with leaves unfurling everywhere.
Best news? We’ve managed to dodge most of the frost (touch wood!). After all that nervous weather-app checking in September, it’s such a relief to see those delicate new shoots coming through unscathed.
We’re keeping up with our fertiliser regime to make sure the vines have everything they need as they hit this growth spurt. It’s a bit like making sure teenagers get enough food when they’re shooting up – except our vines are way less moody about it!
There’s something really special about this stage. The vineyard has gone from those first green hints to proper leafy rows, and it reminds us why we love what we do. Fingers crossed the good weather sticks around!
september update
The vineyard is in full budburst mode right now and honestly, it never gets old seeing those first green shoots pop up after winter. We’ve had some gorgeous warm days lately, and with the rain we got recently, the vines are absolutely loving life.
Spring in Coonawarra is always a bit of a rollercoaster though, we’ve already copped a couple of frosts (cue the nervous vineyard owner checking weather apps at midnight!). So far so good, but we’re definitely keeping our eyes peeled.
We’ve just finished giving the vines their spring compost and seaweed treatment. Think of it as a green smoothie for grapes, all of those nutrients help build strong cell walls, which means healthier vines and better fruit down the track.
It’s such an exciting time watching everything come back to life. We’ll keep you posted on how things progress from here to harvest!
August update
Out in the vineyard, the last touches of pruning have now been completed, and we’re already starting to see the first little suggestions that Spring is on its way, with beautiful wildflowers beginning to emerge down the rows.
Our frost fans will be going out soon as we head into the start of Spring, bringing with it the promise of beautiful, clear days, though still with those characteristically cold nights. We’ve also been fortunate to receive quite a bit of welcome rain lately, bringing a definite sense of relief across the community – not just for us, but for many of our fellow agricultural industries too. Here’s hoping for some good Spring rains as well!
JULY update
Winter continues to work its quiet magic in the vineyard, and honestly, that’s still exactly how we like it! Our vines remain tucked up in their winter slumber, doing all the important behind-the-scenes work of recharging for the year ahead. The sheep are still our most dedicated employees, methodically making their way through the rows with the kind of enthusiasm we can only dream of having for our own winter tasks. They’ve perfected the art of staying productive while the rest of us are reaching for extra layers and a warming glass of red.
As we move deeper into winter, we’re gearing up for one of the most important tasks of the season, you guessed it – pruning! It’s a critical time when we’ll carefully shape each vine for the year ahead.
It’s still very much a case of patient waiting and watching, though soon that patience will turn to purposeful action. The vineyard knows its rhythm, the sheep are keeping everything in order, and we’re embracing this tranquil interlude before both pruning season and the growing season kick back into gear. Sometimes the best vineyard news is simply that everything is proceeding exactly as it should be.
JUNE UPDATE
Winter in the vineyard is beautifully uneventful – and that’s exactly how we like it! Our vines are deep in their winter slumber, storing up energy for the season ahead.
The sheep continue to be our four-legged vineyard crew, happily munching their way through the rows and keeping everything tidy. There’s something quite peaceful about watching them go about their work – they’re far more reliable than any mechanical mower and infinitely more charming!
We’ve had a welcome bit of rain this month, which has given everything a lovely drink. Of course, we’re never ones to say no to more – Coonawarra soils have an impressive ability to soak up whatever Mother Nature sends our way. So if anyone has any influence with the weather gods, we’re still taking orders for proper winter downpours!
It’s one of those times of year where the real work is simply waiting and watching. The vines know what they’re doing, the sheep are content, and we’re enjoying this peaceful pause before the excitement of spring awakens everything once again.
MAY update
While our vines are now relaxing and enjoying their winter snooze, we’re certainly not putting our feet up! As Coonawarra remains stubbornly dry, we are busy keeping up with the additional watering. So if someone could please organise a proper downpour, that would be great. We promise to reward you with a glass of something delicious
The sheep are roaming in and out of the vineyard, providing natural weed control and additional fertiliser. We’re also continuing to nourish the vines with our seaweed mix, ensuring they’re getting all the nutrients they need to thrive when the weather finally turns. Here’s hoping for some much-needed rain sooner rather than later to give everything a natural boost!
In the winery, our 2025 Cabernet and Shiraz are settling into barrel life quite nicely; We’re keeping a close eye on them as they gracefully mature. Early signs are promising, and we are really excited to see how they evolve over the coming months!
APRIL update
Harvest 2025 is officially complete at Koonara! All our grapes have been picked, and what a season it’s been. The vineyard has transformed into a spectacular autumn display, with leaves turning breathtaking shades of golden yellow and deep crimson across the rows.
We finally welcomed some much-needed rain at the end of Easter, giving our hardworking vines a well-deserved drink as they prepare for their winter dormancy. This moisture arrived at the perfect moment, but truth be told, we wouldn’t mind a bit more! We’re keeping our fingers crossed for additional rainfall in the coming weeks to thoroughly replenish soil moisture levels before the winter chill sets in. A well-hydrated vineyard heading into the cooler months sets the stage beautifully for next season’s growth.
While the vineyard enjoys a well-earned post-harvest quiet, the winery is buzzing with excitement as this year’s vintage begins its magical transformation from juice to wine. Our Cabernet is showing particularly promising characteristics in its early stages that has us all rather excited about its potential as it heads to barrel.
November update
Our vines are thriving, and spring has kept us on our toes! Over the past month, the vineyards have been a hive of activity. The compost has been spread, giving the soil a nutrient-packed boost, and we’ve treated the vines with a dose of wood vinegar to keep those pesky snails at bay (sorry, snails—this vineyard isn’t on your menu!).
We’ve been lucky to dodge a few frosty nights, with our frost fans working overtime to protect those tender new shoots. So far, so good! Our vines have been pampered with seaweed to improve soil health and root growth. We’ve also used fulvic acid to boost nutrient uptake, potassium to enhance flowering and fruit quality, and silica to strengthen the plant cells. Together, they enhance vine health, improve fruit development, and prepare the vineyard for environmental stresses.
Now, it’s all eyes on the summer months ahead, as we watch the grapes grow
October update
Spring has truly sprung, and the vineyard is bursting with life! The buds are continuing to pop. Our trusty frost fans have been working overtime, protecting those tender new growths, and so far, all is looking great – fingers crossed it stays that way!
Our compost has been settling nicely into the soil, helping to enrich and nourish the vines as we gear up for the growing season. A few large boots of rain have been a welcome relief after what’s been a pretty dry winter, giving everything a well-deserved drink
We were also lucky to miss that wild hailstorm over in Casterton the other day, only 60kms from us! Mother Nature certainly likes to keep us on our toes, but thankfully, we came through unscathed. Here’s hoping for smooth sailing ahead!
