Eden Valley Vintage Report 2013

The 2013 vintage will be remembered as the driest, earliest and quickest vintage in memory.

The 2012/13 growing season was extremely variable in all aspects, with 2012 rainfall in the Barossa Valley the fifth driest on record [& even less so in the Eden Valley].

The flowering period was particularly volatile, with a number of violent lightning storms damaging the emerging inflorescences.   This, combined with the dry conditions which continued into December and January, led to poor fruit set in most varieties.

A heat spell of temperatures over 33 degrees from 12-18 February caused many vineyards to lose more of their potential yield, and baumes jumped dramatically, [prompting harvest to begin] in mid-February with Riesling and other white varieties.

Nine days above 30 degrees in early March (the third longest run ever of above 30 degree-days in March), meant that much of the Eden Valley Riesling and Shiraz ripened early and was picked in the first two weeks of March.

Yields were generally below average, but quality looks strong.   Riesling harvested early retained both natural acidity and great flavours, while Shiraz is probably the standout red variety from the region.

Quoted [with edits] from 2013 Barossa Vintage Report prepared by Barossa Viticulture Technical Group chairman, Nigel Blieschke, & Chief Winemaker, Yalumba Wine Company, Louisa Rose published in  The Leader, 8 May 2013