Orchards without irrigation look stressed and sizing fruit will be difficult. Irrigation in many sites continues despite the fact we have had good rains as growers try to replenish the subsoil. Irrigation continues in many vineyards for the first year using overhead travelling guns. Shoot growth is slowing down. Bunch thinning and some hedging has started.
Growth is better on young vines as they look after the recent rains.
Irrigation in many vineyards has added pressure to the NOTL Irrigation System but committee continues to find ways to bring water to the growers. Earliest areas have harvested Sovereign Coronation with high sugars and good colour. The past week has been much cooler with lower than average seasonal temperatures. Nighttime lows near ten and daytime highs in the low twenties have been the norm. Rain has come as both general showers and thunderstorms in the past week.