WIDESPREAD rain across the South East has been welcomed by the region’s primary prodcuers.
It follows weeks of uncertainty across the agriculture sector after a dry summer and autumn period, with some farmers “rolling the dice” when planting crops with no clear indication of rain.
However the gamble appears to have paid off with rainfall during May and now into June sparking renewed positivity across the primary produce sector.
Although the late rain was a concern for farmers, those in viticulture were pleased with the late onset.
Raidis Estate winemaker Steven Raidis said due to a longer than average season, berries were on the vines later in the year and the vignerons needed less rain to complete the harvest.
“It was obviously quite a struggle for farmers worried about what would happen later this year,” he said.
“But with the slightly different weather patterns this year, our grapes needed that bit of extra sun to ripen up before harvest, so a little less rain early on really helped us.
“If we had been seeing the kind of downpours we are getting at the moment back then, it would have made finishing vintage almost impossible.”
Given the different climate this year, the 2019 vintage is shaping as one of the best the region has produced in some time.
Mr Raidis echoed these sentiments, stating he was excited for the 2019 vintages to start being released.
“I think we had a cracker vintage this year and we are all pretty excited to release the final products,” he said.
“I am hopeful 2019 goes down as one of our best vintages on record, it has been a really interesting season for us here and everyone has been talking about the positives, so we are pretty happy.”
Now into pruning season, Mr Raidis has welcomed the rain, with a focus on getting moisture into the soil around the vineyards.
“We need this kind of rain at the moment to really hydrate the vines,” he said.
“It really gives the ground a good soak after a hot summer and helps refresh everything as we head into next year’s planning.
“It is not always great when you are out pruning and we have wet weather like this, but we love the rain so we cannot really complain.”
