Vintage 2020 in full swing during lockdown!
During these unprecedented times, it is worth remembering that when this is all over and we emerge from the other side, we will still have wine!
Without meaning to make light of a serious situation that is threatening to overwhelm our health system, disrupt families, destroy businesses and affect many peoples health, I am confident that this crisis will have a positive affect on the future of humanity and "reset" the way in which we think and exist on this planet.
I am reassured that despite this current calamity, the sun still rises in the morning, the wind still blows and the rain still falls (sometimes!). If we have these three things, then we can still make wine and here at 3DE, we have been busy doing just that!
On March 16th, we harvested the 2020 Tempranillo grapes, 2 weeks later than last year. It has been a difficult season over the entire region resulting in reduced yields of up to 60% in some places. The generally accepted reason for this is that on 21 Nov when the grapevines were in full flower, we experienced a hideous weather event, with 40 degree temperatures, and ferocious winds that lasted most of the day. This resulted in severe damage to the vine flowers resulting in poor and inconsistent pollination. Despite the reduced yields, the fruit quality was good and will hopefully result in some delicious concentrated wines.
As of writing today (March 30th, 2020) we have our 2020 Tempranillo, as well as a small portion of Grenache and some Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre/ Mataró) safely in tank and will be pressing some Shiraz and more Monastrell in the coming days. We also managed to source another parcel of Grenache fruit (570kgs) that is currently on cold soak awaiting yeast inoculation in a few days.
With the combination of Tempranillo, Grenache, Monastrell and Shiraz, we are hoping to create some exciting Spanish inspired blends in 2020 including a GSM (Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre)
In other 3DE news, the new Monastrell vineyard is doing well and has survived the harsh summer with the loss of only 3 vines. So far this year we had some welcome rainfall, including 43mm on Feb 6th and another 85 on March 4th! As a result, the property has "greened up" quite a lot which has provided an alternative food source for the kangaroos and wallabies and they have mostly left the new vines untouched. All the dams and tanks are now full..which has never previously happened during Summer/ Autumn.
The weather is changing but as usual, autumn brings some beautiful sunsets and still evenings. A perfect environment to self isolate!
Stay safe everyone and see you on the other side.
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