Well, it must be getting close to the end of vintage as I'm beginning to (partially) get my weekends back. I also now have time to schedule in a long needed massage to soothe these aching muscles and I've just realised that we're a good way through the year already. Where have the last two months gone?
Looking back at my '23 vintage update from last year, things are certainly looking a lot rosier this time around. We have had our biggest vintage yet at Stargazer, as yields have been solid in the Coal River Valley and I think throughout Tasmania. Whilst it started early, we picked Pinot Noir at the end of March and Riesling early April which is about normal for us, although certainly earlier than the last couple of cool seasons.
We also picked a little bit of fruit from the vines that were planted in 2021, and whilst there wasn't a huge amount, all of the signs for the future are looking particularly promising. I'm especially excited about the Gamay which we are pressing off this week; the fruit tasted great and according to David Lloyd (ex Eldridge Estate in the Mornington Peninsula and newish Tasmanian resident) it looks varietal with some trademark spice and white pepper.
It has however been a little bit of a bittersweet vintage as it is vineyard manager Bryn's last harvest with us. He and his partner are heading to Portugal and new opportunities there for the next year. I'm incredibly thankful to Bryn and the hard work he has put in to both the vineyard and the wines over the last five years, and will be very sad to see him go. In the meantime, Lindsay Knapp who has been working for us part time in the vineyard for the last year will move to full time and start powering through the pruning in June - just as well she loves the great outdoors and is used to the cold hailing from Nova Scotia!
All of our hard work was recognised recently with an inclusion at number 47 in The Real Review's 2024 list of the Top Wines of Australia, one of only three Tasmanian wineries in the top 50, the other two being fellow Coal River Valley winemakers Pooley and Tolpuddle - clearly the Coal River Valley is where it is at!
There will be more updates coming your way in the next few months particularly regarding the release of the new vintage wines, as I'm either sold out or very close to being sold out of last year's releases. Keep an eye out also for a new website (and hopefully an easier shopping experience) and cellar door updates - we are getting very close to turning dirt with the latter!
As always, thanks so much to all of you beautiful people who have continued to support me and Stargazer by ordering directly and welcome to new mailing list people who have recently jumped onboard.
