Pruning is over and has been completed to a very high standard. Good rainfall events have been occurring which is giving the soil a really good soaking. Weed control is very pleasing and additional pre-emergent will be applied over the next month undervine to give the weeds a final farewell. Midrow cover crops are excellent and competing against weeds in the inter row area.

Shots from THV I (top) and THV II (below)

The dams have been filled at THV in preparation for the 2009 vintage; unfortunately the water allocation is only 2% at this point in time, but this is likely to increase as the season progresses. In another pleasing sign, mud can be seen on the vineyard which has been absent for a long time. Pruning is progressing well and is on track for timing and budget. The mid-row cover crops look really good and weed control is again excellent this year.

Murray River Irrigation News Update

The 2008 debrief is occurring where each variety and block is evaluated for costs of production, revenue received and net profitability. With this data we are formulating our management plans for 2009 to ensure that all areas of the vineyard are maximising their profit potential. In anticipation of another dry season we have already purchased a significant quantity of cheaper irrigation water which will be used to fill up the dams over winter.

Vintage is complete on both Tanunda Hill properties. Final crop tonnages will be around 1,840 for THV11 and 1,110 for THV2. Towards the end of vintage some of the fruit was picked very ripe due to the heat wave and bottleneck in the wineries and as a result there was some weight loss as grapes dehydrated. It was a challenging finish to the season with unprecedented heat for mid March and vines struggling with the hot weather.

Harvest is in full swing on both Tanunda Hill properties; our crop estimates are proving to be relatively sound this season with estimates of 1,800 and 1,100 tonnes from THV1 and THV2; an estimated increase of 600 and 400 tonnes on each vineyard from 2007. Fruit quality is very good with numerous compliments from the winemakers visiting the properties. The winemakers have been particularly impressed with the canopy, fruit quality and vine balance. The entire crop is sold under beneficial grape purchase agreements with reputable wine companies.

Vintage is just around the corner with Chardonnay and Tempranillo to be harvested within the next 10 days. The past month has been relatively dry and as a result the vines have been irrigated around the clock to ensure appropriate soil moisture through the ripening period. Pests and Disease have been controlled, the canopy is functioning well and the fruit is ripening steadily. Final crop estimation has revealed that bunches; particularly in Shiraz, have not filled out as much as we had hoped for and there may be some reduction in total crop. Fruit quality is really good, particularly in Shiraz and Cab-Sauv.

The Tanunda Hill vineyards look fantastic. Good vine health, canopies and appropriate crop loads are auguring well for a profitable season. The odd sprinkle of rainfall on the vineyard has certainly helped the crop. Additional water has been purchased on the temporary market at quite good prices; we now have enough water secured to get through vintage. Weed control has been good and the vineyard is shaping up well for what is likely to be a slightly early vintage.

Unfortunately the weather is continuing with the unseasonably low rainfall. South Australia has just recorded the driest September for 20 years, Despite the lack of rainfall the vineyard is looking fantastic with excellent early spring growth. There have been some light rain showers over the last couple of weeks, but they have had little impact given the dry and very windy conditions.

The spring weed control program has been successfully completed and the vineyard is looking neat and tidy.

The preventative fungicide program is underway. At this early stage the potential bunch numbers for the coming vintage look encouraging.

Approximately 6 inches of rainfall in the Barossa Valley over the last month or so.The soil amelioration and cover cropping programs have been completed and all attention is now focussed on the coming pruning program.BIL water is now being taken into the storage dams on site.

THV 1 & THV 2

At last some decent rain. THV received approx 100mm over three days at the start of last week. Although not a drought breaking event, it was a welcome event none the less. The working program was put on hold as the vineyard was too wet for any major activities. This has given the staff a welcome opportunity to take some well earned leave. Fertiliser spreading and post vintage repairs will be the main focus moving forward in the lead up to the pruning season.

THV 1 & THV 2

Vintage was, as expected due to the conditions, down on the previous year in THV. The total crop was 1,177 tonnes, as compared to last years 1,750. The acquisition of additional water prevented further losses as experienced by many other local Growers. Regionally the crop is expected to be down by 50% or more. THV2 fared a little better with its second crop totaling 680 tonnes up from the first crop of 550 tonnes.

 With vintage over the current work activity is focused on soil amelioration and seeding of cover crops. The weather cycle is well and truly settled in Autumn mode with most of the leaves falling. No major rain yet but some showers have been forecast for the coming weeks.

THV 1 & THV 2

Vintage is now complete. A record for the earliest start and finish. Despite the low tonnes, fruit quality has been very good with positive feedback coming from the winemakers. No significant change in the weather pattern yet, although there is a distinct Autumn chill in the air. There is a slight lull in the work program now before commencing the post vintage trellis repairs and autumn soil management program

THV 1

THV 2

The second parcel of Grenache is scheduled to be harvested later this week which will complete the harvest for THV2. Post harvest irrigation and fertigation is being carried out as required.

THV 1

Vintage is all but finished at THV1 with only the Petit verdot and Block 3 Cab. Sav. remaining. It is expected that vintage will be complete by the end of the week. Fruit quality has been very good, however overall yields have remained very low. The weather continues to remain warm and dry.

THV 2

With the Grenache scheduled for harvest this coming Friday, the vintage is expected to completed by the end of the week. As for THV1 the fruit quality has been very good, however the overall yields were lower than expected.