Our 2019 growing season was not without its challenges. Winter started unusually warm and dry but took a turn late in the season with sustained temperatures below -20 C arriving in February. Vines suffered from a range of winter damage. As a result, drawn out and uneven bud break was evident in several of our vineyard pockets. Conditions turned more favourable in May allowing delayed shoots to catch up. However, rain set in towards the end of June and periods in July, keeping the vineyard team on their toes regarding crop protection and canopy work.
A warm and dry August gave us ideal ripening conditions and set us up for harvest to begin on schedule. Despite the seasonal struggles the first grapes destined for our sparkling base were picked on September 5th in perfectly healthy and ripe condition. Dodging rain showers throughout the rest of September, harvest continued until early October. Although yields are shy from 2019, the wines have so far emerged as beautifully nuanced with restrained alcohols and purity of fruit.
