2024 Vineyard update with Stuart Pierce

October was a beautiful month at the Harvey River Estate vineyards.

Spring is a very critical time in the vintage for us here; we are busy with a lot of site visits to inspect the vines. It is a time where we are looking at the shoots and getting a good read on the balance of the vines as we move into the ripening months.

Soon – we will be turning our focus to the canopies; looking at the fruit bunch numbers, and the leaf structures is very important.

To create the best environment for even and consistent ripening of fruit – we need to make sure there is a good balance of light and air flow.

“This year we had a record-breaking early start to vintage – we were pulling white fruit off the vines in January – it was just unbelievable,” said Winemaker Stuart Pierce.

“While there are always going to be predictions and theories about the ripening period – you just cannot buy into them too much. It is more important to watch the fruit and walk the vineyard – get a first-hand read on what is happening.”

If the 2024 vintage taught us anything – it is to expect the unexpected.