Vintage Report 2009

After a growing season that was defined by plenty of sunshine, and also plenty of rain we arrived at our start of harvest with very healthy vines and soil moisture levels dropping nicely.

The first harvest for Mehode Champenoise Pinot Noir grapes started on March 10 with nice flavours being seen. Nervous memories of a moist 2008 harvest were abolished after the last significant rain fell near the end of March. Between 25 March to 25 April only 5mm of rain was recorded at the Waihopai and Outpost vineyards, with abundant sunshine, moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights giving almost perfect picking conditions.

With most wines still fermenting, at this early stage the wines look very good. Lovely flavours are in evidence with all the aromatic wines, great acids and fine concentrated structures for Pinot Noir, and the promise of some rich and interesting late harvest wines. The range of flavours in the Sauvignon Blanc so far looks fantastic, with some outstanding fruit coming out of the home Waihopai vineyard. The harvest was a viticulturalists and winemakers dream, with almost unbelievably good weather and great fruit being produced, all that remains is to wait for the end result.