Charlotte Varcoe
PROMINENT figures of Coonawarra got down and dirty last week celebrating the beginning of the 2023 vintage season.
Celebrated at Coonawarra’s Siding, more than 60 people gathered to bring in the new season.
The launch ceremony was brought back after a number of years with Coonawarra and district community members, wine industry stakeholders and dignitaries coming together to acknowledge and celebrate the significant time in the region.
Doug Balnaves performed on his beloved bagpipes after a Welcome to Country with Coonawarra Vigneron’s executive officer Hugh Koch leading the ceremony.
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride, Wendy Hollick and Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll took part in a traditional grape stomp while Greg Clayfield and Bruce Redman marked the occasion by smashing a bottle of the previous year’s local wine to symbolise the end of the 2022 season.
Mr Koch told the Penola Pennant he has since received positive feedback about the ceremony from the Coonawarra community.
“This is the first time we have done a vintage launch for a fair time and having 60 people there was great for a first year and it was great to get people back together again,” Mr Koch said.
“We have had positive feedback since the event and it was a good opportunity for people to take time out and reflect on what they have achieved over the last year.”
He said attendees also appreciated being able to discuss past years and the future of vintage with each other and with key stakeholders in an informal setting.
“The morning tea created an environment where people could discuss issues with Mr McBride or Mr Noll as well and it was great to have an environment where that could occur,” he said.
“The overall feeling on the morning was really positive and it provided a good opportunity to reflect on past years as well as those who have laboured in Coonawarra.”
Speaking on the 2023 vintage for the region, Mr Hugh said it was looking like a traditional Coonawarra vintage with grape picking due to begin in April.
“The last few years grape picking has begun in March but this year it will begin in April and that is because there has been quite a wetter spring and then we went from wet and cold to good flowering,” Mr Koch said,
“When we rolled into summer in was warm in December and January but then cooled right back and as a result of that and longer autumn days, the grapes have set really well.”
He said even though this year’s yield would be more moderate than previous years, quality grapes and product was expected yet again.
“The next two weeks are critical but so far we are looking good for 2023 and the Coonawarra cabernet as we know is still very popular in the United States, Canada and other countries and we have a number of labels in those countries already,” Mr Koch said.
“However majority of what is sold is in Australia and New Zealand and what we’ve found is there has been some real issues about wine supply in the world but we find quality always sells.”
He said the Coonawarra region has not had a bad vintage since it began its official recording in the 1960’s which was due to the climate on the region allowing for quality grapes.
“This continues to put Coonawarra on the map and helps keep jobs and increases tourism,” he said.
