Vintage Information

1998 Vintage Report - Barossa Valley

July was very dry in the Barossa, with rainfall since the new year barely half average and soil moisture profiles unchanged since vintage. Fortunately, the rains came in August and was the perfect prelude to bud-burst and a wet September even brought run-off into dams. October returned to very dry conditions until the end of the month, when falls of between 70 and 100mm restored the balance.

In spite of the erratic changes through winter and spring, and some minor damage from wind and frost, the Barossa had a good start. The earlier part of the harvest took place in mild conditions and a heat wave towards the end of March didn't interrupt the flow.