Harvest 2021

A warm early start to the season was punctuated by frosty spring mornings. The period from budburst to flowering was warmer than normal with slightly higher rainfall, leaving soils moist and resulting in strong canopy growth. Flowering began in late November and this coincided with two weather events that would have a marked effect on the 2020-21 season…

From the 18th of November to the 1st of December, Martinborough was hit with a cool and wet southerly conditions, 112mm of rain falling over this period. This reduced the flowering and setting of the fruit and the vines would go on to produce incredibly small bunches. The summer fluctuated between cool periods and intense warmth, leaving the season tracking just above average in terms of heat accumulation.  From late January strong winds gusting up to 52km/hr sapped the soil moisture reserves, further reducing berry size and increasing canopy stress. February and March were settled, with one of the longest dry spells over harvest we can remember. 

June 2020 saw the arrival of Braden Crosby as vineyard manager following the retirement of our much loved Gerry Rotman. Braden and his wife Gabrielle own a small boutique vineyard nearby, called On Giants’ Shoulders, and bring a wealth of experience. The vineyard team also saw the addition of Albie Feary as tractor operator.

Due to border restrictions, we were worried about our shortage of vintage interns and pickers —young travellers on working holiday visas normally make up around half of the picking team. When harvest began in March, the effect of the very cool spring on the critical period of flowering became evident. Bunch weights were very light and bunch number per vine low. Harvest 2021 is one of the smallest we have seen for many years but the quality of aroma and tannins is exciting. The lack of seasonal staff ended up not being a problem as the crop was so light.