Wine
2024 Vintage Report
Before we wrap up the 2024 Australian wine vintage we need to answer this important question – What month is vintage in Australia?
From mid-January to end of April, the vineyards around Australia are filled with people picking at the crack of dawn and late at night. They’re taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and rushing the fruit to the wineries where it’s expertly handled to become the world-class Aussie wines that we all love.
Each growing season and vintage is different, and every region has its own highlights and difficulties. This year, like most, has been a mixed bag with extreme weather systems experienced in some regions while others endured a historically dry winter or a warmer than usual spring. Many report that yields are down, however, the quality of the fruit has been described as excellent.
We caught up with some of your winemaker friends, and our expert Tasting Panel, to ask them about the challenges that were faced, how this vintage compares to previous years, and their forecast for the 2024 wines we can look forward to enjoying.
HUNTER VALLEY AND GREATER NEW SOUTH WALES
Update by Will Figueira, Wine Selectors Panellist and Wine Show Judge
It was a very early vintage for both reds and whites everywhere in the Hunter Valley and Greater New South Wales. In fact, many producers finished picking their last grapes at the same time this year as they had only just started, last year.
A warmer than usual and early spring brought ripening forward earlier than most vintages, and the fruit quality was extremely good in most regions and sub-regions across New South Wales. The only real issues were around Canberra, were some producers experienced significant frost issues that damaged large parts of crops in late spring 2023.
Whether you prefer white or red wines, a 2024 wine from basically anywhere in New South Wales is going to deliver quality in spades – a very strong year,
- Will Figueira, Wine Selectors Panelist and Wine Show Judge
Update by Stuart Hordern, Chief Winemaker Brokenwood Wines, Hunter Valley
In the Hunter, yields across all varieties were lower than average. Semillon was particularly impacted, with the preceding three wet winters (2020, 2021 and 2022) and a historically dry 2023 winter all taking their toll on vine health and yield. Oakey Creek Vineyard suffered more than most; these seasonal conditions, coupled with a hailstorm in November, severely impacted yield. Despite this, we will have a complete make of Single Vineyard Semillons, with the early favourites being Tallawanta, a small make of Oakey Creek and, of course, our Hunter Valley Semillon blend.
With regards to reds, our Hunter Shiraz came on quite quickly. This was due to a combination of this late January heat and smaller yields due to the dry winter. Despite this, our Shiraz came in at optimum ripeness with good natural chemistry considering the late heat. Most of our Shiraz landed in the winery at 13.8-14.4 baumé, which we have not had since 2019. Despite the low yields across the Valley, our reds held up better than the whites. The last of our Hunter Shiraz was harvested on the 5th of February which is the earliest I have finished harvest in the region. In the very early days, the highlights are Graveyard Vineyard and the best Mistress that we have seen in several years.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Update by Adam Walls, Wine Selectors Tasting Panel Co-Chair, Wine Show Judge, 2019 Len Evans Tutorial Dux
Most of the South Australian regions experienced an extremely dry growing season, and an extensive cold snap caused frost problems for multiple areas in late October.
Frost, the lack of rain and poor weather during flowering has resulted in lower yields, however, the dry and consistent weather during picking resulted in a vintage of high-quality fruit.
When the time comes to opening and enjoying bottles of South Australian wine from the 2024 vintage, the quality of the vintage will be quickly realised. The volume may be down in some regions, but quality has made up for any deficit in quantity,
- Adam Walls, Wine Selectors Tasting Panel Co-Chair, Wine Show Judge, 2019 Len Evans Tutorial Dux
Update by Gwyn Olsen, Senior Winemaker, Henscheke, Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills
We are seeing sensational fruit expression this vintage – the whites are showing pure and intense primary fruit flavours and stunning acidity because of mild, dry summer conditions, especially the Rieslings. The red varieties are looking breathtaking, with impressive colour and intensity of fruit character. Early parcels indicate densely structured wines, with perfectly ripe, bright fruit and well-balanced acidity. Shiraz and Grenache have been the standout varieties so far.
Focusing on canopy health in the vineyard has been vital to producing vibrant fruit this season, and this attention to detail has thankfully resulted in perfectly poised fruit for flavour and tannin ripeness with evocative aromas.
VICTORIA
Update by Matt White, Wine Selectors Head of Buying
The 2024 vintage began with a relatively benign season from September to November,
characterised by stable weather and persistent cloud cover, which moderated evening
temperatures.
However, December and January presented significant challenges with heavy rainfall, reaching up to 70mm, during the critical two-week flowering period. Vineyards situated
downhill fared better initially, while those uphill faced a tough season marked by wet and humid conditions, leading to widespread downy mildew and unusually, small patches of bacterial inflorescence necrosis.
Following the challenging period in December and January, there was a seven-week stretch without rain, commencing at veraison. This prolonged dry spell, coupled with two significant heat events, resulted in high levels of titratable acidity (TA) and pH, rewarding winemakers with a deft hand.
Despite the heat events, which accelerated ripening and compressed the vintage into a
shorter, more intense period, little crop damage was reported. Harvest occurred approximately two weeks earlier than usual, around 16 February, compared to the typical start date of 1 March. This pressure to expedite harvest contributed to exceptional colour, intensity and pleasing flavour profiles.
Chardonnay is looking especially smart with Pinot Noir adding layers and complexity
to the vintage. Other red varietals are progressing at their usual pace, with expectations of being in tanks by mid-April.
Overall, wineries with vineyards spread across the region experienced mitigated risk, highlighting the importance of diversification in managing vintage and climate challenges.
Although vintage 2024 across Victoria presented many winemakers with a multitude of
weather challenges, most regions will end up making outstanding wines including Sparkling as well as the mainstream varieties – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz,
- Matt White, Wine Selectors Head of Buying
Update by Rob Dolan, Owner and Winemaker, Rod Dolan Wines, Yarra Valley
From rain and flooding in December to the dry spell that followed in the first week of January, this vintage season threw us some curveballs. However, our dedicated team rose to the occasion with determination and passion.
The 2024 vintage was all about growth and depth of flavour seen across the board. Despite the ups and downs of Mother Nature, our vineyards flourished, yielding grapes of seriously high quality and intensity. It was a season that tested us but ultimately rewarded us with wines that speak volumes of the resilience of both the land and the people who tend to it.
Our Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have shown outstanding potential, promising wines of richness, complexity, and finesse. However, it was our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that are looking like the true standouts, boasting elegance and pure fruitiness – like a love letter to the Yarra Valley terroir.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA – MARGARET RIVER AND GREAT SOUTHERN
Update by Dave Mavor, Wine Selectors Tasting Panellist, Winemaker, Wine Show Judge
A warm and very dry growing season in Western Australia resulted in one of the earliest vintages on record. Occasional heat spikes during the harvest led to short picking windows as the grapes ripened quickly. Regular watering was required to maintain vine canopies. The yields were low but the whites now in tank are aromatic, and the reds are strong and deeply coloured.
It was another low-yielding vintage in Western Australia, and although 2024 wines will be
in short supply, you can be assured of outstanding quality, as usual,
- Dave Mavor, Wine Selectors Tasting Panellist, Winemaker, Wine Show Judge
So, there you have it, a brief rundown on vintage 2024 by some of our wonderful Aussie wine producers. A big round of applause for all their hard work and dedication in bringing us such fantastic quality wine. While they’re now toiling away in the winery, we just need to sit tight and wait patiently to sample the fruits of their labour.