What is a normal season anyway?
I am sorry it has been a while since I last posted. While the usual excuse could be that things have been rather hectic, I must say that I have been trying to get my head around the current season, what it has been dishing up and what it means for the 2008 vintage.
In a previous post you would have noticed that I was optimistic that the season was to be another early one with strong , early bud burst. How quickly things can change. I will try to explain what has happend over the past months and how it has impacted on the vines.
September: Good initial growth was due to a mild winter and then September dished up a very wet month with 27/30 wet days and the second wettest month - 170mm. This ensured good soil moisture levels and above average minimum temps and average maximum temperatures.
October: Things didn’t change much during October. Well the first half at least. Temps were below average, while the rain did stop, resulting in vine growth slowing. It wasn’t until the final week that a more normal spring appeared which lead into November.
November: Records around the state were set as the hottest November on record was achieved. In Margaret River the maximum temp was 1.5C above the long term average while next to no rain was recorded. As expected the vines “took off” again and flowering occurred in excellent conditions. Looked as though things were back on track.
December: Yes it turned again. It appears as though winter has returned with days and nights being unseasonally cold. There have been 9 wet days so far and the maximum temp is a staggering 3.1C below the long term average!! Vine growth has been luxuriant and for those trying to slow it down, it has proven to be impossible.
Everyone is looking forward to some warm to hot conditions for the rest of December, January and into February. If not I would be predicting that vintage will be at least 2 - 3 weeks later than normal - what ever normal is these days!!
Vines look great, fruit set has been excellent, however slowing down growth will prove difficult. This will mean more summer hedging and continuing vigilance on the disease front.
Come on summer where are you?
Vineman
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