2007
Despite the most severe spring frosts in 30 years, many of the riverside Vineyards in the Tamar Valley have produced yields above average.  Over all locations and varieties, a global average of 8 tonnes per hectare appears to be within our sights.  The harvest in the Tamar Valley commenced around the fifth of March, which was 10 days earlier than average but in line with the very warm 2006 year.  The earliness of the start was provoked by an unusual run of days in excess of 30° in mid-to-late February. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for sparkling was harvested in very good condition and the fruit has, in most cases shown perfect sparkling numbers with around 10 1/2 baume and 10 to 14 g per litre of acidity.  Next the early aromatic varieties such as Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer were harvested in the second half of March with very good perfumes and fruit composition.  Our main variety, Pinot Noir, cranked up in the last week of March with the majority picked around the first week of April at ideal figures of 13 to 13 1/2 baume, good flavour and acidity. Subsequently riesling has been picked and was the only variety showing a little botrytis as a result of our only rain incident late in summer (a fall in late February.)  Also on the first of April, we harvested our first ever crop of the Spanish grape Alvarinho, coming in with ideal figures of  around 12.5 baume and 7.5 g per litre of acidity. At the time of writing, we have just completed the harvest of sauvignon blanc, which of all varieties has cropped the heaviest this season, and again produced fruit of high-quality.  2007 has been marked by a very dry, mild and sunny autumn which has enabled us to pick most of the harvest under dry conditions.

2006
The early season was pretty normal with good fruit set and crop levels very much in line with what we wanted. The summer was dry and sunny but not particularly warm. However, fruit ripened very quickly and we were picking fruit for sparkling wines by early March. Fruit for table wines usually aren’t ready to pick until early April but this year they were ready by mid March and by Easter (14/4) all the picking was virtually over. It was one of the earliest and shortest vintages we have ever experienced. One exception was Riesling fruit for our Botrytis style. Autumn stayed mild and dry so we just left the fruit out there and eventually picked the last of it on 31/5 at a very ripe 25° Bé Outstanding varieties from the vintage - it is still a bit early to make too many predictions but at this stage Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir look promising and the Botrytis Riesling looks exceptional.

2005
Build up to vintage was almost ideal with fine, mild, sunny weather throughout summer and early autumn. Fruit set was good with a very even crop of small bunches and berries. There was virtually no rain during vintage and fruit was picked in terrific condition with excellent ripeness levels and beautiful natural balance. Fruit intensity of the whites is fantastic and the reds are showing deep intense colour and loads of flavour. Really an outstanding vintage. Outstanding varieties from the vintage - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.

2004
Could only be described as a ‘difficult’ vintage. Cool summer weather delayed picking by 2 weeks but fruit showed excellent retention of varietal fruit flavours and great balance. Unfortunately we then got fairly constant rain for 10 to 14 days and ripening the later varieties was a battle. Another year where vineyards carrying crops that were too big for their vines to handle really suffered. Aromatic whites at Tamar Ridge were excellent. Outstanding varieties from the vintage - Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay.

2003
An ‘almost but not quite’ perfect vintage. Summer and early autumn provided almost ideal conditions - fine, mild and dry. Flowering and fruit set were excellent and crop levels were in balance. Two days of solid rain in early April slowed down ripening but dry conditions quickly returned so no real damage was done. However, the season had turned and daytime temperatures were cooler with the result that fruit picked later in vintage did not reach the ripeness levels we wanted. Overall the wines were leaner and more elegant that the big ripe styles of 2002. Outstanding varieties from the vintage - Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay.

2002
One of the warmest and driest vintages in northern Tasmania for many years. Some wet and windy conditions during flowering had led to quite poor fruit set so vines were carrying a small crop. Conditions then turned hot and dry resulting in very small berries and low bunch weight. White wines tended to be riper, fuller and more alcoholic than normal but the reds were outstanding with great depth of colour and fruit intensity. Outstanding varieties from the vintage - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay.

2001
On the cooler side and with a bit of rain. Those vineyards carrying too big a crop struggled to ripen fruit. Good vineyard practices allowed us to harvest sound quality fruit with good levels of ripeness. Wines were a little lighter in style but with good fruit intensity. Outstanding varieties from the vintage - Riesling.

2000
A long, mild sunny vintage that remained dry throughout and produced wines with full, ripe fruit characters and great balance and structure. Acknowledged as one of Tasmania’s best Pinot Noir vintages. Outstanding varieties from the vintage - Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon.

1999
Quite a cool year with intermittent rain through the first half of vintage. The latter half of vintage was mild and dry. Produced wines that were crisp and delicate. Outstanding varieties from the vintage - Riesling.

1998
A warm sunny year with a particularly long, mild autumn. This allowed us to leave later ripening varieties on the vine to achieve optimum ripeness. Outstanding varieties from the vintage - Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc.