A late start to harvest for Margaret River Wine Region

The 2019 vintage has started two to three weeks later than normal, due to cooler spring and summer weather conditions. Since August, Margaret River temperatures have been slightly cooler than annual averages recorded between 2010-2018. Yields look lower than last year but with diligent vineyard management practices, consistency in the quality of Margaret River Wine is expected.
Margaret River Wine Association Chief Executive Officer Amanda Whiteland said “The mild, cooler weather experienced during late 2018 has been quite beneficial for ripening, and the heavy rain incident in January 2019 was very timely due to the later season, recharging the soil water and setting the vineyards up nicely.”
Voyager Estate Winemaking and Viticulture Manager Steve James says: “We are very happy with the Chardonnay fruit that we are currently harvesting. This recent spell of nice warm weather has really moved things along quite significantly. The temperatures, whilst not hot, have been very conducive to high functioning of the grapevine and, I believe we are on track for another excellent season.”