The 2021 Vintage in Coonawarra has the hallmarks of an incredible vintage, with superb conditions and fruit of outstanding quality and quantity being harvested. It was an extended vintage with picking of white varieties beginning in late February. A break between the white grapes and red harvest saw the two main red varieties in the region, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, being picked at very similar times. The peak harvest for the region began in early April, following the Easter break, and continued until mid-May when the last of the regions’ signature variety was harvested. The season was mild with very stable weather conditions. The temperatures during the growing season were mild with only minor fluctuations and no major rainfall events. Dry conditions continued right through summer, and consequently, berries remained relatively small with thick skins. Coonawarra did receive several small rainfall events during the growing which was beneficial to the general vine health and soil moisture. These climatic conditions lead to long and steady increases in maturity levels, allowing winemakers to pick at optimum levels for ripeness and flavour. The 2021 Coonawarra vintage was free of disease, drought, and smoke taint. Based on the mild summer, and the colour and aromas that are coming through in the finished ferments, 2021 points to an exceptionally good vintage with lovely firm acidity in the whites and good fruit expression and tannins across all reds, which at this early stage, will translate into wines that have excellent cellaring potential.