Oranje Tractor Wine

Oranje Tractor Wine vintage report 2007

Pam Lincoln of Oranje Tractor Wine has sent the following report from Albany in the Great Southern Zone of Western Australia.

Dry as a dead dingo’s…u know the rest!

The often damp south coast was delightfully dry this season, bringing vintage forward a massive 6 weeks earlier than last year, and about 2 weeks earlier than ever before. Also, the harvest was compacted with only two weeks between the first varieties picked (Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, and Pinot nior) and the second lot (Shiraz and Merlot).

Fruit quality is good, and in our vineyard the most disease-free it’s ever been. Yields are slightly below average…primarily due to wet and windy conditions at fruit set. It’s a little too early to tell about wine quality, but I’d gamble on saying it’s gonna be good or better.

My impression from around the neighbourhood is that this is likely to be the case across the region. April rains often wreak havoc or at least force us to pick at a time less than desired, so having the fruit off by now is good for the ticker!

We’re making a Rose (Shiraz), Port (Pinot noir), Sparkling Riesling (called Sparkplug), German style Riesling (Half Trocken), and Merlot. Some of these are new, some not….but none due to seasonal conditions.