Since the last weekend in November, we have had no less than 225mm of rainfall. When I look back at earlier Cork Club newsletters in which I nervously describe the vulnerability of our vineyard to drought, and the critical lack of water that has characterised our last few vintages, it is quite extraordinary to consider how things can change so rapidly. The abundance of spring rainfall has led to tremendous growth in the vineyard canopies, and very healthy looking vines. The dams overflow every time it rains, and we haven’t even thought about irrigation. The birds are chirping, and the kangaroos and breeding like mad, in fact the grounds are so lush the property looks like it belongs somewhere in New Zealand…

However, there is a flip side to all this rain and good fortune. Because the rows between our vines have been as wet as Vietnamese rice farms for two weeks now, our Vineyard Manager Scott Ling, has been unable to get the tractor through to apply preventative sprays. Subsequently, we are seeing small outbreaks of Downy Mildew on new vine growth. Thankfully, Downy is the lesser of the two Mildews (Powdery Mildew has a more significant impact on wine quality), so we are not at the panic stations yet. In fact there are far more worrying stories emerging from growers around the valley that have vines suffering from both Mildews and are starting to see the dreaded Botrytis mould spread over young grape bunches that have been damaged by hail.

It has been decided that we have had enough rain for the 2007 / 2008 season, and providing the conditions dry out we should have a good vintage with above average yields. If it doesn’t dry out, then we may well be looking at our first wet Hunter vintage since 2001.

Matt Burton