2015 Sauvignon Blanc

Crop levels of 2.4kg/vine were close to our long term average. It was another early ripening year with full flavour development. Hand picking occurred in cool weather on the 5th and 6th of March. Heat degree day summation for the year was 1250 putting it close to our long term average of 1270 Heat Degree Days (HDD). Our vines are now 28 years old and show the benefits of maturity with good balance of crop and leaf plus more stable crops. A significant rain event occurred between the 7th and 12th of January with 63mm of rain which helped our dry grown vines. We had the benefit from a generally mild summer with one hot spell in late January which was pre veraison and thus had no flavour impact. Our vines are now 27 years old and show the benefits of maturity; lower vigour, good balance and stable crop loads. A significant rain event occurred on the 13th and 14th of February with 127mm of rain. Dry-land management I am sure significantly helped the vines to withstanding damage from this rain.Their deep roots are less affected than conventionally irrigated vines and they do not respond with a surge of vine growth or berry swelling. Thus they tend to continue to ripen their modest crop without the flush of extra water. Harvest occurred on the 13th and 14th of March.