The Spring of 2006 was memorable for being one of the coolest in nearly 50 years.
A very cool September, October and November delayed the bud burst and the growth that was to follow.
We suffered from an unexpected, and hence, unprotected late frost with temperatures getting down to -1.5 degrees. A low of 1 - 4 degrees had been forecast so our Martinborough Township vineyards sufferedfrom medium damage.
Flowering in December was uncharacteristically cool with daily temperatures only reaching a high of 10 degrees on occassion. This unfortunately led to a poor fruit set and consequently was a significant contributor to large crop losses; The lowest Growing Degree Days over flowering in the last 6 years.
Summer, however, was perfect. Warm and dry with no Autumn rain which lasted well after harvest. Whilst crops were significantly lower this season, the fruit quality and flavours were great.
2006 VINTAGE
A warm spring with good winter soil moisture ensured good vine
growth and health, while relatively settled conditions at flowering
meant a good fruit set.
Spring gave way to a hot dry summer, which carried right through
from December to February allowing great ripening and a rather early
start to harvest on the 15th of March.
Some periods of cooler weather and rain did eventuate during the
early Autumn, which slowed and extended the ripening on the remaining
fruit. However the quality held well and we were able to pick at
the desired ripeness for all varieties, finishing with a late harvest
pick on the 10th of May.
The fruit retained good balance and great flavour right through
and we are very happy with the quality of the 2006 wines.
2005 VINTAGE
With a cold winter and frequent dumpings of snow on the Tararuas,
it was nice to have a settled spring in which good budburst and
even shoot growth occurred.
Everything was progressing well with many people around town looking
forward to a dry warm summer when we were hit by three cold weekends
in a row in December right during the crucial time of flowering.
This left us with a low crop level across most varieties and vineyards.
So for the second time in the last three years, mother-nature had
set our crop level meaning we had virtually no fruit thinning to
do and instead we could put all our energies into getting the vines
into the best shape for the upcoming summer. And what a summer it
was - with the weather from the first week of January right through
to mid March being idyllic: warm, settled and dry.
This was the summer that we had been waiting for. Everything was
looking in fantastic shape leading into harvest until.....
Just when we were getting ready to harvest the rain started and
Martinborough was subjected to another flood similar to the one
that struck in February 2004. All we could do was sit and wait for
the rain to stop. When it did stop we were able to leave the grapes
on the vines for a few days of drying out to allow any dilution
that had taken place to drain from the vines. We did however see
our crops reduced by one half in some blocks with lots of our lovely
small berries splitting under the pressure.
Conversely, the result of the small crops remaining to maturity;
was the reward of concentration, great structure and flavour.
The first grapes were harvested on the 1st of April and harvesting
carried on steadily through to the end of April. The wines all look
very good with the Pinot Noir showing amazing depth in colour and
very structured tannins.
2004 VINTAGE
The 2004 season started promisingly without the frost events of
2003. Conditions at flowering were warm and settled. Typical hot
and dry weather took us through to early January and just as were
considering irrigating... down came the rain! Martinborough was
isolated by flooded rivers and tormented by high winds.
However there was no damage to our well established vines and careful
viticultural management prevailed. The more normal rainfall patterns
in March and April but cooler than average temperatures delayed
harvest by several weeks. This extended ripering period through
into April allowed for great flavour development. The result is
some fantastic fruit with intense flavour and good balance. The
wines are showing great definition and quality is high across the
board. We expect the 2004 vintage wines to cellar well.
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