Barossa Valley – 2022
Above average 2021 winter rainfall helped to refill soil profiles and the cool, slow start to the growing season resulted in budburst occurring slightly later than average. A frost event occurred on 11 October impacted the northern Barossa Valley and was followed by an extreme hail event on 28 October, which crossed the Barossa Valley. A wetter end to spring supported the regrowth of the hail damaged canopies, but significant crop potential was lost. Cold and wet weather mid-November coincided with flowering in much of the Barossa Valley region, which impacted fruit-set and potential yields. December and January provided a burst of summer heat without any extremes, however by the beginning of vintage another severe weather event dealt a deluge of rain and even more hail to some parts of the region. The mild and dry conditions that followed were ideal for the later-ripening varieties. The cumulative impacts of the season’s weather events resulted in lower yields across the region. The 2022 wines show great aromatics, balance of acidity and a bright core of flavour, with grenache the standout variety of the season.