VINTAGE 2024 IN THE BLACKWOOD VALLEY
Records were broken in the Blackwood Valley for Vintage 2024. It will be remembered as one of the earliest, fastest, and most compacted vintages in recent times. Vine growth stages, from budburst to flowering, flowering to fruit set, fruit set to veraison, and veraison to harvest were all completed in record time. Some wine regions in WA had two vintages in the same year which is extraordinary!
This was all due to lower than average winter rains for 2023, combined with higher than average temperatures all through spring and summer, and topped off with consistent warm easterly winds all through Summer. Soil temperatures at budburst were high, so vines woke up early and raced away, and did not stop until harvest. As a result, most varieties were harvested 4 weeks earlier than average.
The consistent warm conditions put extra pressure on the vines and, because of this, yields on average were down 30%. Vines that received water through irrigation still performed well, but yields were still down.
The Marri blossom this vintage was very heavy, and the trees put on a fantastic display of white flowers. It was also early and timed perfectly with ripening grapes. Because of this there was no bird damage at all, as they had plenty of Marri nectar to eat.
Harvesting of white grapes started very early in February and 95% of reds were harvested by the end of February. The fast and early vintage put a lot of logistical pressure on wineries and harvesting contractors, trying to keep up with ripening fruit. Red varieties were ready to harvest before whites were finished, putting extra pressure on wineries trying to fit everything in.
Vintage 2024 in the Blackwood Valley will go down as early and fast. With warm days, no rain and lower yields it still resulted in beautiful ripe, clean fruit with great concentration of flavours. Once again we look forward to fantastic wines from Vintage 24.
Mick Hester – Owner and Vigneron – Upper Blackwood Estate Vineyards
Photo credits to Mick Hester
Quotes from Winemakers Andrew Dawson and Marie- Pierre Dussault
“The whites have great fruit concentrate and flavour with surprising acidity considering the conditions. The early dry season meant the reds could hang out for optimal flavour and tannin ripeness, reds across the board have great concentration and depth of flavour”. Andrew Dawson, Winemaker Yeah Wines
“2024 vintage presented itself early and certainly brought a few challenges with the warm weather and dry summer. The Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of two vineyards and the aroma blows us way with its delicious tropical nose, especially pinapple. The Viognier was picked riper than last year which should produce a deeper flavour of apricot and honey. It is developing partially in oak, partially in tank. We are really satisfied with the wines and can’t wait to see how they will develop over the next few months” Winemaker, Marie-Pierre Dussalt Sunnyhurst Wines.
Pictured left to right: Gene from Ironwood Estate receiving his ‘Best Shiraz’ Award from BVWIA President Craig Nield.
West Australian Boutique and Single Vineyard Wine Show Celebrates 20 Years of Excellence
Boyup Brook 6th December
The Blackwood Valley Wine Industry Association (BVWIA) annually presents the Western Australian Boutique and Single Vineyard Wine Show, a hallmark event that has been at the forefront of showcasing the finest wines from the local region and small producers across the State, for over two decades.
This year’s edition, sponsored by My Vintner and the Shire of Nannup, was a celebration of exceptional craftsmanship in the wines and diversity across WA’s wine regions. The event, held at the Nannup Recreation Centre, hosted an impressive line up of WA wine industry experts including; Tony Davis, Damian Hutton, Ryan Aggiss, Feleasha Prendergast, Liv Maiorana, Matt Godfrey, Phil Hutchison, Ulrika Larsson, Jen Bound, Andrew Bretherton.
The panels judged an extraodinary 240 entries from a unique blend of Blackwood Valley Geographical Indication (GI) wines and entries from Western Australian Boutique producers (defined as those who annually crush less than 250 tonnes), as well as Single Vineyard wines from Western Australia, where there is no restriction on the size of the winery entering these distinctive wines.
“We are thrilled to reach this significant milestone for the WA Boutique and Single Vineyard Wine Show. This event has become a showcase of excellence, highlighting not only the quality of wines produced from the Blackwood Valley region, but also the talents of small producers from across the State. We extend our sincere gratitude to major sponsors My Vintner and the Shire of Nannup and the generous support from Vineline, Vine Torque, Breight Group, Ease, AHA, Boyup Coop and SWAT.” said Craig Nield, President of the BVWIA.
2023 WA BOUTIQUE AND SINGLE VINEYARD WINE SHOW TROPHY WINNERS
Vinline Mobile Bottling Best Chardonnay
Nikola Estate 2022 Regional Margaret River Chardonnay
Boyup Brook Co-op Best Sauvignon Blanc
Millbrook 2023 Regional Sauvignon Blanc
Breight Group Best Riesling
No trophy awarded
Best Other Single Variety White Wine
Aravina Estate 2022 Block 4 Chenin Blanc
Best White Blend
Hamelin Bay Wines 2023 Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc
AHA Viticulture Best Shiraz
Ironwood Estate Wines 2021 Shiraz
Vine Torque Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Windance Estate 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Other Single Variety Red Wine
Birdie 2023 “Arthur or Martha” Nouveau Grenache
Best Red Blend
Hamelin Bay Wines 2022 Cabernet Malbec
Best Rosé
Borrello Vineyards 2023 Tempranillo Rose
Best Sparkling
No trophy awarded
Best Sweet Wine or Fortified
No trophy awarded
Shire of Nannup Best Blackwood Valley White Wine
Bunderra Estate 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
Shire of Nannup Best Blackwood Valley Red Wine
St Johns Wine 2022 Crush Shiraz
Ease Business Services Best Alternative Variety
Birdie 2023 “Arthur or Martha” Nouveau Grenache
Vine Torque Best White Wine of Show
Nikola Estate 2022 Regional Margaret River Chardonnay
Breight Group Best Red Wine of Show
Ironwood Estate Wines 2021 Shiraz
Shire of Nannup Most Successful Blackwood Valley Exhibitor
St Johns Wine
My Vintner Most Successful Boutique Exhibitor
Lenton Brae
My Vintner Best Wine of the Show
Nikola Estate 2022 Regional Margaret River Chardonnay
For a list of the full Wine Show results please click here , for media enquiries, please contact:
Craig Nield
President Blackwood Valley Wine Industry Association
[email protected]
0427 522 826
About BVWIA
The Blackwood Valley Wine Industry Association (BVWIA) is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the Blackwood Valley wine region, fostering a sense of community among its members, and showcasing the exceptional grapes and wines produced in the area. With a focus on sustainability and excellence, BVWIA plays a pivotal role in supporting the local wine industry.
The following dates apply to the 2021 WA Boutique Wine Show, the 2021 WA Single Vineyard Wine Show and the 2021 Blackwood Valley Wine Show:-
- Entries Open – Friday 27 August
- Entries Close – Friday 1 October
- Wines Delivery Closes – Friday 5 November
- Judging – Thursday 25 and Friday 26 November
- Awards announced Saturday 27 November
The Wine Show dates have been altered from the usual October dates due to the Wine Show of WA moving to a similar time slot to our previous dates.
The Judges for the WA Boutique, WA Single Vineyard and Blackwood Valley Wine Shows are:
- Kim Horton of Willow Bridge (Chief Judge)
- Erin Larkin, wine journalist (Panel Judge)
- Kym Tyrer of Galafrey Wines
- Paul Dickson of Thompson Estate
- Lance Perkin of Heaford Glen
- Foni Pollitt of Mayfair Lane
The Associate Judges are:
- Emma Elliott of Liquid Mix and 100 Proof
- Sam Badger of Woodlands
- Sophie Ward of Naturalist Vintners
- Adriaan Foot of Ferngrove
328 wines have been entered in the 2020 Blackwood Valley, WA Boutique and WA Single Vineyard Wine Shows. 56 producers have entered wines from most wine regions in WA.
The wines will be judged on 15 & 16 October with the results released online on Saturday 17 October.
Wines can be entered in the 2020 WA Blackwood Valley Wine Show using the following:
Details are available by downloading this Schedule of Terms & Conditions
While CoVid-19 has presented challenges for events, the Blackwood Valley Wine Industry Association has continued planning for the 2020 Blackwood Valley Wine Show, the 2020 WA Boutique Wine Show and the 2020 WA Single Vineyard Wine Show.
Judging will be on Thursday October 15 and Friday October 16.
Invitations are now being sent out with wines to be delivered by September 25.
The judging panel will be led by Kim Horton, winemaker at Willow Bridge Estate.
Due to the CoVid-19 restrictions the public tasting will not proceed this year.
Tickets are now available for the public tasting event following the judging of wines in the Blackwood Valley, WA Boutique and WA Single Vineyard Wine Shows. All wines entered in the wine shows will be available for tasting. The event is from 5.00pm to 8.00pm on Saturday 19 October 2019 and entry is only $40 per person.
Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite
