THE wine grape harvest has been fast and furious, and February was flat out, with the white varieties coming in with a rush – and with pleasing yields and high quality.
The earlier rains had caused issues, as they do, but also assisted in increasing the berry size from all the free nitrogen which came down with it during these little events.
We only have a couple of the Moscato producing varieties to complete in the next couple of days, followed by just a couple of the remaining Reds for which I have been able to find a home this year.
And then we will be harvesting the unsold patches to the ground.
I have also already started fertigating a few nutrients back into the vines, for them to store for next spring.
The two patches I have top-worked are already progressing well, although some 24D spray damage has restricted their potential – and that’s disappointing.
Because just a few cowboys who don’t care spoil it for everyone, and I see no reason why such a chemical – considering its volatility – should not be banned outright.
Hanging over all this is our wine industry is still hanging out for China`s decision, following a review on its imposed tariffs.
While we are not really expecting that much of a change if the tariffs are eventually abolished, such a formal announcement would still deliver our industry a renewed level of optimism at every link in the production chain.
Some people and companies in the industry are already fighting back through various marketing and packaging/wine style options, and at the same time, the growers themselves are simply pretty dumbstruck, wondering if they have a future.
If that sounds like you, or anyone you know, talk to your mates.
Meanwhile, it’s that time of the year again when Ollie the Orb looks to hide from the Mrs as she wishes to produce another few hundred kids.
He got wind of the issue when the Mrs started putting on heaps of false eyelashes and was searching for the lipstick.
Ollie escaped with his head last season, but a couple of his legs were chewed off.
He`s been hiding in the tractor for a month now, but thinks she is onto him after seeing small lipstick imprints on the glass.
Seven of Ollies’ Orb mates have joined him crouching beside Sam the snail and his ten mates, Roger and Rick the rabbits and even a few Bloke fruit flies have been in the tractor seeking refuge.
