The Silver Lining of Vintage 2011
Announcement posted by Reschke Wines 17 May 2011
The silver lining of the wine vintage that has been described as the ‘worst on record’ is it has allowed wine companies who have powered through the storm to shine – one strong survivor being Reschke Wines of Coonawarra.
With harvest having just been completed for the majority of vineyards across Australia, reports on the 2011 vintage at best have been dire with late-hitting fungal diseases such as botrytis forcing many wine producers to dump tonnes of fruit. In some cases, whole vineyards were rendered useless with either flooding or infection beyond salvation.
Amidst many casualties, Reschke are an example of few wineries that have been fortunate enough to preserve an excellent quality vintage whilst maintaining a respectable degree of sustainable viticulture.
Of the vineyards that have emerged with wine-worthy fruit, many have had to use vast amounts of chemical sprays to ward off disease while the fruit was on the vine. Winemakers have had to use all their skills to deal with the effects of processing botrytis affected fruit in the winery.
Reschke’s policy of sustainable viticultural practises means fewer sprays and healthier chemicals being used including Copper and Sulphur as a preventative spray rather than some of the systemic and heavier residual sprays on the market.
Managing Director Burke Reschke attributes the good fortune partially to location and climate, with a lion share of credit going to his dedicated team at Coonawarra including Manager Guy Stratford and Viticulturist Mary Kennedy.
“Hand pruning has allowed for open canopies to provide optimum sunlight. Sunlight is absolutely the best natural fungicide. While we had to use some spray on the vines, we do try to only use natural sprays and fortunately did not need to apply nearly as much as other wineries. Good timing definitely helped,” says Mary.
“Because disease favours big bunches and big canopies, it was kept further at bay by keeping yields low. In all, I can comfortably say that we have an excellent quality vintage for 2011.”
“A very difficult year... The weather websites were almost constantly on our computer screens, with constant flicking between them in the hope that one site would have better news than the other. When a break in the weather appeared, it was all hands on deck to get through the vineyard and ultimately produce the best possible harvest from what has been called the worst season in our lifetime… (by people much older than me!)” says Burke Reschke.
According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) research report 11.3, while the relentless rain led to larger berry size, the “damp humid conditions resulted in increased outbreaks of disease (such as downy and powdery mildew) in both the warm and cool regions, with flooding adversely affecting production in parts of Victoria. An increased incidence of botrytis late in the season may cause further damage to grapes before the harvest is completed. Potential reductions in quality may also result in wine being rejected after crushing if it does not meet specific requirements” April 2011.
About Reschke –quality without compromise
Despite the high Australian dollar, a continuing national wine surplus, increased costs in winemaking and lower margins, many winemakers are refusing to sell out, and refusing to cut corners to make a quick dollar. This Australian attitude is a tribute to Brand Australia, despite many Chinese and other foreign buyers lining up to obtain an Australian winery while the quality of the wines is so affordable.
The Australian wine industry has ways of regulating itself in terms of quality standards, with wine media constantly sorting “the premium from the plonk”, as reported on Channel 10 on April 1, 2011:
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEudep7PrBs>
Reschke Wines of Coonawarra is one such winery, with a dedication to quality that borders on obsessive. Managing Director Burke Reschke will spare neither expense nor detail in the vineyard or winery to produce wines of exceptional ilk. As General Manager for Burke at the vineyard, Guy Stratford sees it all first-hand.“Some find the term obsessive compulsive confronting due to the stigma that it may invoke however when it’s applied to the style of company Burke Reschke has developed it becomes likeable, addictive even. The mandate isn't just "bigger is better" as those of us whom know Burke are more realistic, moreover it's simply about being the best. This obsession started from the ground breaking design of the Coonawarra vineyards, including state of the art watering systems through to the obsession to detail of the vineyard management, hand pruning, natural element sprays and the use of the best French oak. These elements combined with tenacity, dedication and vision are the essence of the Reschke ethos,” says Guy.
“Even in the difficult years, I intend to take the best of Coonawarra to the world”, says Burke.
While the Reschke property has been in the family for 100 years, Burke released his first wine – Empyrean - under the Reschke label in 1998. The 1998 Empyrean went on to achieve a top score of 96/100 points in James Halliday’s ‘Top 100 Australian Wines’, and multiple other gold awards such as Blue-gold the Sydney International Wine Awards in both 2003 and 2004. The brand has continued with excellent credentials.
This sensational Cabernet Sauvignon based classic is particularly impressive given the fact that it is Reschke’s first effort! - Robert Parker Jnr.
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