2001 was our first vintage at Grace Vineyard.  Although we experienced minor frost in early April, we were not concerned because we knew that young vines would perform better with a lighter crop.

May began with good rain setting the vines up for a successful flowering, followed by fruit set and berry expansion.

June, July brought us warm sunny weather with just the right amount of rain to ensure a reasonable crop. We were feeling confident.

By August night temperatures had begun to decline ensuring that ripening would be gradual and sugar and flavour accumulation would be balanced by good acidity.

With pests and disease well under control we began picking white varieties in September at 21.0 Brix (% sugar).  Harvest of red varieties commenced later the same month and we were well pleased with colour and flavour attributes.

All in all a very satisfactory and pleasing result for our first vintage.