CropWatch

Slow Ripening

Vintage 2022 is slowly progressing. In this episode, Gill Gordon Smith and James Hook catch up to answer why ripening is slow and what is the reason for green berries in bunches this season?

La Nina Declared

James and Gill discuss the declaration of a La Nina weather event and what that means locally for the McLaren Vale wine community. The risks from downy mildew and bunch botrytis are discussed. What is the difference between botrytis noble rot and the destructive bunch rot?

Welcome to Vintage 2022

The CropWatch podcast returns for Vintage 2022.

 

In this episode, Gill and James discuss the value of Grenache in the McLaren Vale Wine Region, what we can learn from the European Vintage currently underway, and how the wine community should “play the season, not the forecast.”

Vintage 2021 in Review

While the harvest is not quite picked, James and Gill discuss why Vintage 2021 is already being classed as excellent. They also speculate on how Vintage 2019 and 2020 will be remembered, and what 2022 could bring. 

No disasters here

James Hook and Gill Gordon-Smith discuss how summer is proving to be mild and dry for McLaren Vale grapegrowers, but there is likely to be flooding elsewhere in Australia over the next two weeks.

Downy Mildew: What Makes and Outbreak?

Live from the vineyard, Gill Gordon Smith and James Hook discuss what makes a downy mildew outbreak.

1- Not knowing there is a problem.

2- Not being able to access vineyard to keep up protection.

3- Not having access to post infection (eradicant) fungicide when needed.

2021 Vintage - La Nina

La Nina is expected. What does it mean for McLaren Vale? Wet conditions are likely to continue and this is looking like a vintage of rain and fungus; rather than one of heat waves and berry burn.

Note: At the start of this Podcast James welcomes you to the start of Vintage 2020. He knows it is Vintage 2021!

2020 Summary

Recorded at the start of Winter 2020, James Hook reviews the Vintage for McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association.

The weather conditions through winter to autumn harvest, are considered and key viticultural points are discussed.

Highlights include the lack of rainfall in August 2019 limiting the creeks from running and preventing flooding, springtime frost risks, hot and windy weather in November and extreme heat in December.

Talking About Vintage 2020

Gill Gordon Smith and James Hook drove around our region as harvest enters its last weeks. They keep their talk focused on Vintage 2020!

Gill asks some of the frequently asked questions from this season including going into detail about Rust Mite. What is a rust mite? What does rust mite damage look like? How long has rust mite been in the McLaren Vale Wine Region?

Summer In Spring, Spring in Summer.

Recorded on January 24th during a cool period after rain, James and Gill discuss how the vintage is looking later than typical. Topics addressed include how there has been very little berry splitting seen, rain reducing the risk of smoke taint and prospects for harvest 2020.