As harvest draws near, the vineyard is alive with activity - from meticulous fruit sampling to last-minute preparations, all in pursuit of the perfect pick. Head of Viticulture, Mike Saunders, provides an update ahead of next week when the first grapes will come in.

"The golden spell of weather continues, and harvest is inching closer. We began sampling select Chardonnay blocks this week, and it looks like the first pick may be just around the corner!

Juices from yesterday’s samples are showing lovely concentration, with acidity dropping quickly. This can be influenced by thinner canopies and increased sun exposure, as well as crop load. Careful timing will be key to ensuring balance and freshness in the wines.

Tim and I are walking the blocks daily, tasting fruit and sampling to pinpoint the perfect moment to pick. After seven months of nurturing, it’s all about precision now - no pressure!

Meanwhile, the Vineyard Team has stretched every last scrap of netting across the vines as birds continue to target the fruit. With fewer natural food sources this season, even unexpected visitors have been sneaking in. If you hear clapping and calls from the vineyard, that’s the team in action, keeping our grapes safe.

Harvest prep is also well underway. Trailers are being serviced, the harvester is getting a thorough check, and the Winery Team is busy cleaning bins and prepping presses - there’s a real energy in the air.

Over in Broadvale Block 7, our young vines are thriving now that the kangaroos have been netted out. We’ve selected the strongest shoots and begun guiding their growth. As the season unfolds, we’ll continue hand-weeding and training them, deciding post-harvest whether to cut them back or let them reach wire height. Watch this space.

Looking beyond harvest, we’re already planning for the vines’ winter dormancy. Soil tests from last year have helped us craft a custom organic fertiliser blend, ready to be applied as soon as picking is complete. Autumn’s root flush is a critical growth period, and ensuring the vines have everything they need now will set the stage for an even, healthy budburst next spring. We're always thinking a season - or two - ahead!"