Our Estate

• Bud Burst: Generally even, following a dry winter-spring pattern and warm seasonal outlook.
• Frost: A late frost event affected parts of the vineyard, reducing yields in some of the lower-lying blocks. The impact was contained, and Weathercraft was still able to harvest a viable crop.
• Rainfall: Summer was drier than average across much of Victoria, though later autumn rainfall brought some relief after the main ripening period.
• Temperature: Above-average summer temperatures and several warm spells encouraged steady sugar accumulation and required close canopy and irrigation management.
• Disease Pressure: Generally moderate to low through the drier summer, with vigilance still required around any isolated rainfall events.
• Note: Expect wines with concentration and clear varietal definition, shaped by lower yields, warm ripening conditions and careful picking. The whites should show freshness, line and precision, while the reds are likely to carry depth, structure and generous fruit without losing site detail.

• Bud Burst: Generally within the expected seasonal window, following a dry year across much of Victoria.
• Frost: Frost pressure was not the dominant feature of the vintage, though localised spring frost risk remained part of normal vineyard management.
• Rainfall: Below-average rainfall through much of Victoria, with summer notably dry across many areas.
• Temperature: Warm to hot conditions compressed the ripening window, bringing harvest decisions forward and requiring careful attention to fruit balance.
• Disease Pressure: Lower than in wetter La Niña seasons, with the main pressure shifting from mildew control to canopy balance, water stress and picking timing.
• Note: A fast, warm vintage that rewarded timing, precision and decisive vineyard work. Expect wines of clarity, energy and strong varietal expression: whites with vibrant acidity and fresh, detailed fruit; reds with boldness, depth and structure held in balance.

• Bud Burst: Early-season growth was steady, supported by mild conditions and plenty of cloud cover through spring, which helped keep nights cool.
• Frost: A late spring frost threatened the vineyard, and some nearby sites suffered significant losses. Weathercraft was fortunate to avoid major damage, allowing Chardonnay to come through strongly and produce our largest harvest to date.
• Rainfall: December and January brought heavy rain during the critical flowering period for some red varieties, creating uneven set and reducing potential yield in parts of the vineyard. From veraison, conditions turned dry, with an extended period of little to no rainfall.
• Temperature: Cool nights early in the season gave way to a dry, warm ripening period with several heat events. Ripening accelerated quickly, compressing the white harvest and bringing picking forward by around two weeks.
• Disease Pressure: Rain and humidity through flowering and early summer required careful vineyard attention, but the later dry spell helped preserve fruit quality. Disease pressure was managed well, with Chardonnay emerging as a particular strength of the vintage.
• Note: Expect 2024 wines with precision, freshness and strong vineyard definition. Chardonnay looks especially compelling, combining concentration with line and natural acidity, while the increased Pinot Gris crop allowed for a new Beechworth barrel-fermented expression with greater texture and depth. Reds were more affected by flowering conditions, but carefully selected fruit should show balance, savoury detail and site character.

• Bud Burst: Bud burst and early growth unfolded under the influence of a cooler, wetter La Niña season, with steady vine development but fewer warm, dry windows than usual.
• Frost: Frost was not the defining pressure of the vintage. The greater challenge was the persistence of cool, wet conditions through the growing season.
• Rainfall: Rainfall was frequent and at times relentless, increasing humidity across the vineyard and requiring close attention to canopy health, airflow and disease prevention.
• Temperature: The season was cooler overall, slowing ripening and extending the growing period. Near-perfect February conditions helped finish the fruit beautifully, particularly for varieties able to ripen within the cooler season.
• Disease Pressure: Disease pressure was higher than usual, with mildew and mould risk elevated by persistent moisture and humidity. Some early disease pressure, while we awaited the arrival of a smaller sprayer, reduced yields slightly in a couple of varieties.
• Note: Expect wines with freshness, restraint and superb natural acidity. The cooler season favoured finesse over weight, with whites showing line, tension and clarity. Albariño gained greater texture, while selected reds carried more whole-bunch complexity. The vintage also marked the first appearance of Grenache and Mourvèdre in the winery, destined for our 'Trilogía' Amphora GSM.

• Bud Burst: Slightly later bud burst compared to 2021, but still within a typical range.
• Frost: Occasional frost events, but mostly managed effectively to avoid significant crop loss.
• Rainfall: Higher than average rainfall, leading to increased humidity and higher disease pressure, particularly mildew.
• Temperature: Cooler overall temperatures with fewer hot days, resulting in a slower ripening process.
• Disease Pressure: Higher than usual, requiring vigilant vineyard management to mitigate the impact of mildew and other diseases.
• Note: Despite the challenges, good quality wines with more restrained fruit profiles and much higher acidity were produced. Cooler conditions and careful management resulted in wines with finesse and longevity potential.

• Bud Burst: Early bud burst led to a longer, more even growing season.
• Frost: Frost pressure was minimal, reducing the risk of damage to young growth.
• Rainfall: Rainfall was well balanced through the growing season, providing adequate soil moisture without creating excessive disease pressure.
• Temperature: Mild conditions and few extreme heat events allowed for steady, measured ripening.
• Disease Pressure: Low overall, supported by balanced conditions and good vineyard airflow.
• Note: A near-perfect vintage, producing wines with excellent balance, vibrant natural acidity and clear fruit definition. The stable season supported intensity without excess, giving the wines freshness, structure and beautifully formed tannins.

Bud Burst: Within the normal seasonal range, following a dry and warm lead-up.

Frost: Frost was not the defining issue of the season.

Rainfall: Dry conditions carried into summer, contributing to vine stress across many Victorian regions.

Temperature: Warm to hot conditions were compounded by the broader Black Summer fire season and the increasing risk of smoke exposure.

Disease Pressure: Traditional fungal disease pressure was comparatively low in the dry conditions, but smoke exposure became the critical risk.

Note: A difficult vintage defined by heat, smoke, COVID disruption and uncompromising quality decisions. At the height of the bushfire season, Weathercraft was evacuated, with the nearest firefront around 13 kilometres away as the crow flies. On 5 January, visibility was so poor the vineyard could barely be seen from the homestead, just 200 metres away.

The decision was made that month to drop all Beechworth fruit to the ground, allowing the vines to redirect energy into carbohydrate reserves for the following season. While some producers chose to make wine, Weathercraft chose not to bottle estate fruit from this vintage. A small parcel of Yarra Valley Pinot Noir kept wine in the cellar and in the market while the estate moved through the following years without a 2020 Beechworth release.

What followed was equally testing: the arrival of COVID, shifting markets, disrupted sales channels and the constant need to adapt. For a young estate, the years after 2020 required patience, resilience and no small amount of gymnastics. Quality remained the line we would not cross.

Bud Burst: Generally even, with good early growth supported by careful vineyard management.

Frost: Frost was managed through the season, with cool nights remaining part of the vineyard’s natural variability.

Rainfall: Below-average rainfall across much of Victoria contributed to a dry season, with vine balance and soil moisture becoming important considerations.

Temperature: A warm year overall, with hot spells and accelerated ripening pressure requiring close attention to picking windows.

Disease Pressure: Fungal disease pressure was lower than in wet years, though dry conditions brought their own challenges around vine stress, canopy balance and sun exposure.

Note: A warm, dry vintage that produced wines of concentration, structure and ripe fruit definition where vines remained in balance. For Weathercraft, 2019 was especially significant for Syrah: the first Reserve Syrah was made in a traditional French style, using whole bunches in open ferment, alongside a Shiraz made in a more Australian style from fully crushed fruit. These wines have long since sold out, but they are still occasionally requested by those who remember them.

• Bud Burst: Even and relatively early, supported by warm seasonal conditions and strong early growth.
• Frost: Frost was not a defining regional issue, allowing the season to progress with relatively even vine development.
• Rainfall: Although the broader season was warm and comparatively dry, late spring brought significant rain and localised flash flooding across parts of north-east Victoria. The Golden Ball Bridge over Hodgson Creek on Beechworth-Wangaratta Road was badly damaged and closed after the flood event, underscoring the intensity of the weather in Everton Upper.
• Temperature: Warmer-than-average conditions encouraged steady ripening and concentration, with the season favouring sites able to maintain vine balance through both dry periods and sudden rain events.
• Disease Pressure: Generally low to moderate, with less persistent humidity than cooler wet seasons. Well-drained sites were better placed to move through the late spring rain without prolonged vine stress or excessive disease pressure.
• Note: A strong, structured vintage for well-managed sites. At Weathercraft, the vineyard and farm held up well through the late spring flooding, helped by the considered underground drainage installed before establishment. The wines reflect the resilience of the site: ripe, concentrated and firmly built, with depth, structure and balanced fruit expression.

• Bud Burst: Supported by strong winter and spring rainfall, leading to healthy early-season growth and strong vine balance.
• Frost: Frost pressure was not a defining feature of the vintage, allowing the season to progress with confidence.
• Rainfall: Abundant winter and spring rainfall helped carry the vines through summer, providing good soil moisture without compromising the steady ripening period.
• Temperature: A milder, slower season, largely free from major heat spikes, allowed for long, even ripening and excellent flavour development.
• Disease Pressure: Moderate early-season moisture required attentive vineyard work, but the dry, steady ripening period supported clean fruit and strong quality.
• Note: A near-perfect Beechworth vintage and the first commercial release of wine under the Weathercraft brand. The season produced wines of finesse, structure and excellent natural balance, including a Rhône-like Syrah that set the tone for the elegant, refined and site-driven wines to come.