2014 Regional Vintage Report MARTINBOROUGH / WAIRARAPA

Martinborough / Wairarapa - Back to back vintages of exceptional quality!
 
Vintage Report 2014

For the second year in a row the weather gods have been kind to us. Following on from the outstanding 2013 vintage, the 2014 season differed slightly in terms of weather patterns but the wines in their youth look potentially as good.
 
A warm spell of weather in late August meant budburst started a week earlier than normal. Thankfully there were very few cold nights during spring and the wind machines were barely used as frost were uncommon. Weather conditions continued to be favourable right through spring and into summer meaning flowering and fruit set were some of the best this region has seen. This gave us uniform bunches and slightly higher than average crop levels (a change from our normal very low yielding years). Fruit thinning was carried out by most growers to gain concentration.
 
The settled weather continued throughout summer and harvest started for most growers in mid-March, some 2 weeks earlier than average. Warm dry days throughout the second half of March meant a very rapid harvest. Well over 90% of the grapes were picked by the 1st week of April which was a blessing for us as rain started on the 6th April and continued off and on for 3 weeks. 
 
All in all it was an excellent season - one of the earliest on record, with ideal weather throughout the first three weeks of harvest allowed most blocks to be picked in great shape. So far the Pinots in barrel look rich and complex with lovely acidity and great tannin structure. Only time will tell just how good they are compared to the impressive 2013s.
 
GDD – 1142, longterm average – 1075
Rainfall – 566ml, longterm average 496ml (Oct – May)
 
 
 
Paul Mason
Winemaker

 
 
 
For more information on the Masterton|Gladstone|Martinborough Regions:

WAIRARAPA WINEGROWERS ASSOC INC

Tania DeJonge
Secretary / Treasurer 
Phone: +64 27 6411517
wgtn.winegrowers@xtra.co.nz
Postal Address: 
c/- 15 Cologne Street, Martinborough 5711 
 
 
 


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