HARVEST is under way at Redman Wines, with the first riesling and pinot grapes picked this week.
With vignerons around Coonawarra preparing for a busy vintage 2019, Redman Wines winemaker Dan Redman said the vines looked promising.
“The whites have started coming off along with some pinot grapes for our rosé,” he said.
“Our red grapes are looking really good but we still have a week or so until they’re ready to go.
“We have noticed the sugars are starting to creep up but there’s still high acidity and low pH, so they need a little bit longer on the vines.”
In the past week, the Limestone Coast has seen an unseasonable heatwave with some days reaching over 40 degrees.
This weather change could have spelled disaster for the wine region, but Mr Redman said the vigernons were well prepared.
“I think we were all aware of the incoming heat so we prepared well for the week,” he said.
“Driving to and from work you can see the canopies are holding up well around the vineyards.
“The grapes are well protected and I do not think it has really had much of an impact on vintage.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Mr Redman said Coonawarra wine lovers can expect a great vintage this year.
“I think things have gone fairly well over the growing season and are looking really promising for harvest,” he said.
“You know everything comes with its complications and no vintage is 100pc perfect, but things have gone pretty well this year.
“I think it’ll be a great year for Coonawarra wine.”
