NATURE CAN BE TOUGH WITH HAIL, FROST, DROUGHT and NOW FIRE
Nature Can be Incredibly Beautiful, but also Tough
VINTAGE 2025
2025 - DRY, WARM, a return to traditional summers
There has been much talk of the mild, some would say cool vintages from 2021 through 2023. Even 2024, notwithstanding a few hot days, was relatively cool. But they were all dry, drier than average. So when we entered the 2025 growing season, the moisture levels in the soils across the Barossa Valley were very low. Rainfall has been significantly less than normal, we are in drought. Temperatures have been warm, but the key concern for grape growers has been moisture or the lack of (this was a factor in the previously discussed frosts that have already impacted the expected crop from the 2025 vintage).
With at least 2 months before vintage commences, supplementary water is at a premium. Growers are concerned, but the vines look healthy albeit many are carrying a lower crop than expected due the the October 2024 frosts events.
WITH DRY WEATHER COMES FIRE RISK
Dry soils can and do put pressure on crops including vines, but also come with an increased fire risk in the driest state on the driest continent. On the 2nd of January 2025 we were slashing the Estate Vineyard, removing excess natural grasses as we typically do at this time of year. We cut the grass at a higher than normal level at this time of year to reduce the risk of sparks that are a risk when using a slasher in vineyards. However, it appears a spark started as a small spot fire which quickly spread from the bottom of block 6 up to block 8 and ultimately across the fence line into our neighbour’s grazing property.
The fire
We always work in the vineyard when there’s low temperatures and low wind, which was extremely important as the fire moved slowly in the Northerly direction, away from buildings and the vast amount of our vines. The CFS and the local farmers and community of the Barossa are unfortunately very familiar with fire fighting but this meant they were quickly onsite. With the assistances of a number of trucks, planes and helicopters, they managed to get the fire under control and out in less than hour. Some of our neighbours and local farmers were onsite within a few minutes with their own fire fighting equipment. The work of these community members was truly incredible and was the key factor in minimising the damage to us, our neighbours and the people further afield.
vines are incredibly resilient
Vines have an incredible capacity to live and produce year on year for decades and even centuries when grown on their own roots. They face all the elements, rain, wind, drought, heat, cold, and pests and disease. Often human inputs are their biggest threat. Our old Estate Vineyard in Stone Well has been repeating the annual cycle for close to 100 years. We hope that it to continue doing so for at least that time again.
THE RESULT
Most of the vines in Block 6 (Shiraz) and Block 8 (Field Blend) have suffered damage. A small number have not survived. The 2025 crop for the vines that have not been badly burnt will be dropped on the ground. All surface vegetation, dripper lines, equipment such as moisture monitoring and some infrastructure have been damaged. We will replace the equipment, reapply the mulch, but the focus will be on helping the vines rebalance and hopefully recover for future vintages. Experience in the Hills in recent events would suggest that the vines, although hardy, can be impacted beyond the visual signs. Time will tell - it will be a slow process but a process that we are sure will be worth the result.
Some vines did not survive but we are hopeful that most will recover
Fortunately, much of our Estate Vineyard and all of our buildings and those of our neighbours were left unimpacted. We anticipate that vintage for these blocks will continue unimpacted. The fire was low to the ground and relatively short lived meaning that we do not anticipate any issues with those blocks not directly impacted nor the resulting wines in the years to come. We have been fortunate and will continue to refine our techniques as we go forward.
With some hard work and some rain, the vines will hopefully recover
what next
We have already started the remediation program for the old vines up on the hill. Dripper lines have been replaced, we are getting some water out. Next week we will replace some damaged equipment, we will remove the 2025 crop, and then assess the vines. We would anticipate the need to reprune many of the impacted vines to give them every chance to recover ahead of the 2026 growing season. Time will tell, but we hope that long term impacts will be limited to a few vines in the wrong place at the wrong time.