News

JAMES HALLIDAY WINERY RATING - 5 Stars for the sixth year in a row!

2011 BAROSSA NAB GOURMET WEEKEND

The 2011 Barossa NAB Gourmet Weekend was a roaring success yet again for Gibson Wines. Just over 2000 people came out to enjoy the funky sounds of Cousin Leonard, mouth-watering food by Semaphore pantry and our range of award-winning wines.

GIBSON FOOD AND WINE DINNER - BRISBANE 2011

Bravo Bar-B-Que.......Another top location for a Gibson Dinner!!

We had another successful Gibson Food & Wine Dinner last night at the outstanding Bravo Bar-B-Que Restaurant in Fortitude Valley. Rob and Carol entertained 30 of our valued customers at this top location. The food was magnificent and the Gibson Wines went down a treat, as always! A great time was had by all. Watch this space for the next Gibson Food & Wine Dinner.

GIBSON FOOD AND WINE DINNER - SYDNEY 2011

Aqua Dining.........What a place for a Gibson Dinner!!

25 supporters enjoyed.....
2008 EV Riesling
NV Sparkling Merlot
2001 Reserve Merlot
2002 Reserve Merlot
2002 Gibson Shiraz Cork Vs Cap - The cork is best now but watch out for stelvin in 5 or so!
2005 AOVC EV Shiraz... Wine of the night!
2007 AOVC MV Grenache... Lovely!
2008 Dirtman Shiraz... Popular!

What a spot !!

GREAT SHIRAZ CHALLENGE

We have had great success at the Great Shiraz Challenge. Barossa Shiraz took out the top 3 places and 8 out of the top 10, with our very own 2008 EV Old Vine Collection Shiraz taking out number 2, just pipped by Hently Farms "The Beast" as the best of the competition AND our 2008 Dirtman Shiraz came in at 8th in the best under $30 class. Get in quick, stocks are limited!

WINE PARTIES

 
Wine Party opportunities available. Contact Kelly on 0407717886

For more information on news and events in the Barossa visit the Barossa Grape & Wine website. 
 

SUNDAY FUNDAY

Our Sunday Funday on the 23rd of October was a raging success. Hundreds of locals and visitors from interstate came down to enjoy the celebrations and help Gibbo celebrate his 60th. The weather was perfect for the occasion, the Bald Eagles rocked the crowds, Owen Andrews catering supplied delicious platters for all and our Gibson wines were flowing! It was a brilliant day had by all.

2011 VINTAGE REPORT


GROWING SEASON


Temperature

The mean temperature (the average of daytime maximum temperatures and overnight minimum temperatures) for South Australia for 2010 was equal to the 1961-1990 mean of 19.5°C. In comparison, 2009 was the warmest year on record with temperatures 1.3°C above average.

Rainfall

Main disease influencing rain events were 45 mm on Sept 4th and 74mm on Dec 7th; This caused the early outbreak of Downy Mildew in some parts.


VINTAGE

Rainfall

Autumn 2011 rainfall was above average (the 10th wettest autumn on record), with the state receiving approximately 1.7 times the long-term autumn average. The strong La Niña event in the Pacific Ocean was weakening throughout autumn, with conditions in the Pacific returning to neutral toward the end of May. Rainfall totals were above average across the state in March, average to below average in April, and then average in May as conditions in the Pacific returned to neutral. Rain events were Feb 5th ,12th;16th and 18th giving a record amount of 92mm and also another 90mm between the 20-24th March created ideal conditions for the development of Bunch rot fungi; April and May up to 12th were dry, suiting the late harvest at Eden Valley in particular


Temperature - Autumn

Maximum temperatures were up to 2°C below the long-term average across South Australia for the whole of autumn 2011, with this autumn being the second coolest on record following the autumn of 1955. In March, maximum temperatures were up to 4°C below average across South Australia, with South Australia recording its coldest March on record as a result. Conditions tended closer to average in April where average maximum temperatures were within a degree of average, and cooled again in May with average maximums up to 2°C below the long-term average in the west but within a degree of average elsewhere.

Mean temperature
Recent years since 1999 in the Barossa have seen a 1 degree rise in mean temperature in the 2 warmest months being January and February. This is equivalent to a climate change from Rhone Valley to Bordeaux or Shiraz suited climate to a Cabernet Sauvignon climate. This year respective means for warmest months Jan Feb Mar Apr were 23 ,21.8,17.5,14.95 compared with Mean temps of 22.2; 22.1; 17.5;15.4 Degrees Centigrade. A cool February and April The respective means for the formative part of the growing season in Sept, Oct, Nov ,Dec were 10.5 degrees;14;17;19.1 compared to Means of 11.3;14.1;16.8;19 A cool September and November gave excellent conditions for berry set and potential yields were underestimated exacerbating the late ripening of Shiraz under severe disease pressure. Conditions for agrochemical application and efficacy were poor and hence costly physical means were used to mitigate lasses and maximise the quality of the grapes taken to the winery.


2012 Season -

30/09/2011 - A good bud burst has now occurred on all varieties and some shoots are now 10cm long. We will put our organic sprays on when the weather fines up next week.

2/11/2011 - We're 80 mm above average rainfall at this time. The humidity is giving good conditions for strong growth. The vines are about to flower and we seem to be free of frost damage. The potential crop is average to above average in most of our varieties and extra effort is planned in the areas of soil moisture depletion to control growth.

 2/11/2011 Pre-flowering Merlot

Isabelle Petit Verdot 30/09/2011

How Organic is that! 6/11/2011

Beauty in Shiraz at Burkes Hill - Eden Valley

14/11/11 Flowering underway in Eden Valley Riesling  and Barossa Merlot...good conditions ..important time for establishing berry number and size and style at harvest...dont need storms or hail or disease now

30/11/2011 - 100 year old Barossa Shiraz thriving in 2011

12/12/11 - Gold dust among the prize-winning Riesling

18/01/12 - The colouring of the Red grapes is underway. Merlot at Isabelle vineyard is currently at 25% coloured and the fruit is in good condition. We are expecting thunder storms over the next week.

1/2/12 - We think it's their 100th......What an innings! And may to go!!

10/2/12 - Currently crop thinning 9.5 Merlot due to some retarded fruit because the Merlot looks great this year and we don't want dilution from the seasonal variation. The Old Vine Shiraz is progressing well with deep black color and 11 Baume (20 Brix) of sugar. The flavors are now starting to show and if the weather predicted next weekend allows, we will have some lovely grapes to play with. Expect to harvest Pinot Gris from Kersbrook at 24 Brix next week or early the following week. Exciting!!