Hayes Family Wines - Vintage 2021 Diary - A Really Big Week!
Members Day, a Wonderful Vintage Day
Week 5
This week saw the Shiraz ripen in unison, with more than 50% of our intake coming in over Thursday and Friday. With a new moon, the best time to pick grapes, we saw a lot of action in the valley, but we got our grapes off with at times more than 50 hand pickers in action.
The results of picking have now moved to the winery, with pump-overs and pressing the priorities for a heavy work week ahead.
Fortunately we have had some temporary support, with my good friend Wayne in town to do some vintage work. We always appreciate help, particularly when they are as hard working as Wayne. His help this week has been invaluable.
Members Day
Each year over vintage we invite our members to join us for the weekend, to pick some grapes and share a few wines over lunch and dinner. These are wonderful events, great food and great company.
This year, we had Mark McNamara, one of Australia’s great chefs preparing the food. And the food was a perfect match to our wines. Join our club, and join us next year.
The Week Ahead
With a very tough week behind us, this week will challenge us in the Winery. With fruit due each day, the fermenters close to capacity, and much pressing ahead Andrew and myself will have a tough week. But with grapes like this we cannot complain. They look wonderful!