It's got to be good

It's a cliche, but true; each year is different. February 2010 is just so different to Feb 09. It's also quite different to the long-term average. It's wetter, already we have exceeded the average for the entire month, with another 40mm falling on Thursday and Friday of last week.
It's also warmer.  The daytime maximum is averaging 31.6 °C, 2.2° above the usual 29.4°C. But the night time minimum is averaging 18.3°C,4°warmer than usual.
So despite the rain, ripening is progressing well. (See Current Baume')
The grapes look wonderful. Just as well too, because a number of customers have visited or are planning to visit the vineyard before harvest. I always say to other growers, home winemakers are just as passionate about their winemaking as career winemakers. (I don’t like “amateur” and “professional” when used as opposites. Amateur is not the opposite of professional. CFA volunteers are just as professional as career fire fighters and so too with winemakers).
The typical profile of the Shiraz Republic winemaker/customer is someone who comes from a family with a tradition of making wine, but who has significantly higher expectations about the quality of wine they want to make. Robert and Sarah visited yesterday. Robert hasn’t made wine for 10 years, but has memories of making it with his father and grandfather, but as Robert says “Frankly, it was crap!” Now he and some mates are trying to continue a tradition, but make wine that will match it with commercial wines. If I’m going to do it, it has to be good.
The Shiraz Republic aims to supply you with grapes that are second to none. With good fruit, clean equipment, and doing the winemaking tasks at the right time, a professional product should be everyone’s aim. There is plenty of grapes still available, but if you haven’t ordered yet, get your order in soon.