Vintage Report 2026

Vintage 2026 was a cooler, later season, with a long, steady ripening period allowing fruit to develop gradually while retaining good natural acidity.

Winter and spring rainfall was relatively solid, supporting soil moisture, good vine growth and healthy early-season conditions. The weather then dried out considerably, with very little rain through January and February. By this stage, the vines were beginning to feel the prolonged dry conditions, and irrigation from the dam was used where needed to maintain vine balance.

Rain finally arrived in March, when much of the fruit was approaching maturity. While the rain added some weight to the berries, it also increased disease pressure. With fruit close to maturity, the timing of the rain made careful vineyard selection and picking decisions important.

The cooler conditions extended the ripening period and allowed flavour to develop steadily rather than rapidly. Yields looked healthy early in the season, but smaller berries brought the final crop back to moderate levels. Potential and final alcohols were generally on the low to medium side.

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc were picked in early-mid March, followed by Riesling, Gamay and Shiraz after the long weekend. Despite the challenges of the late-season rain, the fruit generally showed good flavour, acidity and structure, with careful picking allowing each block to be harvested at the right point.

The early impressions are of a distinctly cooler-season vintage. The wines show bright, pure fruit, strong natural acidity and fine structure, with freshness and detail rather than weight. Chardonnay looks detailed and tightly framed, while Pinot Noir has good perfume, freshness and structure. The lower alcohols and natural acidity contribute to a sense of balance and restraint across the wines.

Vintage 2026 was not without its challenges, particularly the prolonged dry period and late-season rain, but the cooler conditions and extended ripening window gave us the opportunity to pick with precision. On early evidence, the vintage has delivered a refined and classical expression of the Moorabool Valley, with freshness, detail and balance at its core.

We look forward to seeing how the wines develop over the coming months.