FROM THE GRAPEVINE

Vintage 2009

Where does the time go? Again the seasons have marched us from ’08 to ’09 and onward ever onward. This year’s harvest is complete and so, the cycle begins anew. And with the passage of times comes change inexorable.

The end of 2008 saw a changing of the guard at Mt Jagged. A new Vineyard Manager, a new Vineyard Supervisor and a new Winemaker were bought into the fold adding fresh ideas, new techniques and extra flavour to Mt Jagged’s time honoured traditions.

But change as much as you want there are still the constant challengers with which to contend – birds, bugs and blasted weather. The birds are good for eating the bugs but they also eat the grapes. You can see the birds in the vineyard all summer long as they listen to the booming noisemakers and watch the fluttering scarers, while they chatter to their mates perched atop the arms of the scarecrows. There are other ways to deal with them but the only way you could get the dog, Jackie, to chase them off, is to tie a tennis ball to each and every bird!

The weather, well, it must be endured. Changes in temperature and rainfall throughout  South Australia have seen disappointing failure of many a vineyards’ crops this past year. However, given Mt Jagged’s uniquely cooler, elevated, northerly facing aspect and being blessed with our own natural spring fed water supply, we were able to sidestep the more destructive elements of a harsh summer and produce a fine harvest.

And as the last truck takes away the last grapes for 2009, the vines will take their seasonal cue. The leaves will colour and fall ready for pruning … here we go again.

Cheers

IN OTHER NEWS..

From the USA:

2008 Vino Challenge

Silver Medal 2001 Mt Jagged Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon
Bronze Medal 2003 Mt Jagged Chardonnay

2007 Vino Challenge

Trophy and Gold Medal for Mt Jagged NV Sparkling Red

2006 Vino Chalenge

Silver Medal NV Sparkling Red
Silver Medal 2003 Single Vineyard Shiraz
Bronze 2004 Bullock Road Chardonnay

Vino Challenge, http://www.vinochallenge.com

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