Welcome to a new year!

… and the calm before the vintage 2019 storm (so to speak). We’re officially in that nervous phase of waiting for the vines to do their thing and crossing our fingers that the weather behaves itself from here on in.

Rob has been keeping himself busy though…

• The next batch of 2015 Sparkling Pinot Noir has been disgorged and labelled ready for inclusion in our January Jockey Club pack.
• Preparations for bottling the 2017 Chardonnay and Fume Blanc in a few weeks.
• The hunt continues for Somerled worthy Shiraz for a 2018 version of our most sought-after wine.
• Checking out the quality of Kym Anderson’s tempranillo – looks like we’ll be heading back to the Adelaide Hills for the 2019 Picnic Races Red!
• and, we have ALL been waiting with bated breath to find out if there have been any lasting effects from the early frosts and recent hail damage.

What is the latest on how the vines are coping?

I’m glad you asked!

I just received the latest CropWatch report from the Adelaide Hills Wine region in my inbox and here are a few key points…

• At this stage, the region appears to be 2-3 weeks behind the 2017/18 season.
• Vines are still growing rampantly in most vineyards. This is actually pretty unusual at this stage of fruit development. Growers will need to make sure that trimming doesn’t create additional problems such as sunburn.
• Rainfall has been down in 2018 (only 72% of the long-term average). If heat waves are predicted, then growers will need to ensure they pay close attention to soil moisture to minimise vine stress. 
• The cold weather we had a flowering has caused significant crop loss (although it’s still too early to tell exactly how much). Losses are greatest in the lower, colder areas of most vineyards. 
• The good news is most vineyards in the Hills do not have downy mildew infections. And current conditions do not favour the development of new infections.
• However, the active vine growth is creating deep, sheltered canopies which are a high risk for development of powdery mildew.

The Inaugural “From the Horse’s Mouth – Somerled Wine Education Blog” Super Quiz Update!

And the winner is…

No one!

You were clearly all busier than I gave you credit for over the Christmas/New Year period because not one of you had time to complete the “Inaugural From the Horse’s Mouth Super Duper Wine blog Quiz”! And I don’t blame you to be honest.

OR… perhaps it’s because I got a little carried away with the questions and scared you all off!

So, I’ll tell you what… how about I give you a shorter, more achievable version of the quiz?!

At least then you will have half a chance to come away with the grand prize of two bottles of Somerled Sparkling (one white and one red!)!

Take two…

1. Who writes the “From the Horse’s Mouth” Blog? 
2. What name is given to Sherry in Australia?
3. How many vintages did Rob celebrate this year?
4. True or False. Rob gets his Pinot Noir grapes for the Sparkling, Rose and dry red from Summertown?
5. What does MLF stand for?
6. What is your favourite Somerled wine?
7. What is Heather’s favourite wine and what does she like to eat with it?
8. How many times has Rob fallen into a fermenter?
9. Rob uses Pinot Noir for how many different wines (in any given vintage)?
10. Name one country the Moody’s have visited this year and why?

But that’s not all…

If you get just ONE question correct, you’ll go into the draw. 

So, what are you waiting for? Submit your entry before the next blog is published (Friday 11th at 12.30pm) for your chance to add some sparkle(ing) to your 2019!!