Adelaide Hills – 2017
Extremely heavy winter rainfall and ferocious spring winds and hail set up one of the most challenging vintages we have ever experienced at Lenswood. Flowering was late, occurring in December rather than November, in rare calm and sunny weather which set us up for good yields. The conditions post-Christmas were characterised by elevated evening temperatures, heavy rain every four days, foggy mornings and low day time temperatures.
Harvest started in March; three weeks later than usual. By Easter, all Adelaide Hills whites and our pinot noir were safely in the winery, and in excellent condition despite 760mm falling during the growing season. This was a vintage saved in the vineyard by the outstanding work of the Adelaide Hills viticultural team under extremely trying conditions. The Noble Gewϋrztraminer, merlot and cabernet were all picked in May. Results exceeded expectations, and the flavours in the wines defy the conditions in which they grew and ripened. The Lenswood vineyard continues to show enormous resilience, and the soil health no doubt plays an important role in the beautiful wines created in 2017.