2014 Australia Vintage

Regional commentaries in the WFA report generally centred on great fruit quality despite tough weather during the growing season. In the Barossa, good winter and early spring rains filled the soils, with July to September rainfall 20 per cent above average. A windy spring gave uneven set and poor yields in some varieties, then in November, with flowering underway, unseasonal frost events caused almost complete loss of fruit for some vineyards. Late spring and summer were dry and warm, with significant heat records set: October had 56 per cent of average rainfall, November 11 per cent, and January's maximum temperature was 2C warmer than normal. A 17 January fire two kilometres west of Eden Valley was controlled, and Eden Valley and Barossa Valley vineyards escaped immediate damage and smoke taint. Barossa Valley floor harvest began with whites in the last week of January and the first reds in the first week of February. On Valentine's Day 100-150mm of rain fell in 24 hours, and that rain and the cool weather after it slowed the rest of vintage to an almost leisurely pace, with harvest continuing until after Easter.

• Barossa: October had 56 per cent and November 11 per cent of average rainfall
• Barossa: unseasonal frost caused almost complete loss of fruit for some vineyards
• Barossa: 100-150mm of rain in 24 hours on Valentine's Day slowed the rest of vintage
• National crush 1.70 million tonnes, 7% below 2013 and on par with the 7-year average

Riverland growers battled hailstorms, bushfires, frost, disease, pests and record rains, yet winemakers described an "above average quality harvest". In the Barossa, Yalumba head of winemaking Louisa Rose said at the time of the report that quality was looking very good with lower than average crops, and that the reds were rich and varietal with dense colours.

• Riverland: winemakers described an "above average quality harvest"
• Barossa: quality looking very good with lower than average crops, said Yalumba's Louisa Rose

In the Yarra Valley, abundant winter and spring rain gave an even bud burst, but cool, wet conditions inhibited flowering and yields were lower than average. Warmth returned in January and harvest dates were on par with a normal year; moderate days and cool nights brought fruit to optimum ripeness at lower sugar levels. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay had reduced yields, while Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon benefited from a warm, dry finish. In the Hunter Valley, perfect ripening conditions followed heavy November rains, with lots of sunshine, no 40 degree plus days and little rain in January and February.

• Yarra Valley: flowering inhibited by cool, wet conditions; lower than average yields
• Yarra Valley: harvest dates on par with a normal year
• Hunter Valley: no 40 degree plus days, little January and February rain

The Margaret River vintage was warm and dry, with cool evenings enabling the fruit to ripen consistently. Harvest for most producers began in late January rather than the early February norm, and Semillon beat Sauvignon Blanc to the finish in some cases. Spring storms reduced Chardonnay yields by up to 40% at some vineyards, and a mild summer with cool nights meant grapes held their acids.

• Harvest began in late January for most producers
• Spring storms reduced Chardonnay yields by up to 40% at some vineyards
• Warm and dry with cool evenings; fruit kept natural acidity