A POSITIVE grape growing season is forecast for Coonawarra vineyards despite a spout of hot weather and lingering bushfire smoke, Vigneron’s president Peter Balnaves says.
Despite the threat of smoke from the nation-wide bushfires, Mr Balnaves said the smoke had not had any visible effect on grapes growing along the Terra Rossa strip.
However, the invisible smoke can cause a smoky odour or taste to the wines during the fermentation process.
“Smoke affected berries can be difficult to spot with the affects not able to be seen on the outside,” Mr Balnaves said.
“There has been concerns surrounding the smoke, which has hung around the area.
“We are not aware of there being any issue in the line of sight because the smoke that we have seen in the atmosphere has been quite high.”
Mr Balnaves said a variation of weather during the season had slowed grape growth, with growers expected to catch up in coming weeks.
Harvesting is expected to occur in late February to early March.
“People have managed their water well, which shows the importance of water allocation and access to good quality water,” Mr Balnaves said.
“We are very lucky to have had another good season and we look forward to what is to come.”
