WIMMERA winemakers are praising an ideal growing season for the outstanding quality of this year’s grapes.
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Noradjuha-Quantong Football Netball Club members contributed to the region’s grape harvest, while raising money for the club.
Club members have picked grapes at Norton Estate Wines for the past two weekends, finishing on Sunday.
Norton Estate Wines owner Chris Spence said it would possibly be one of the best vintages the vineyard has ever produced.
‘‘With the sauvignon blanc, the quality of the fruit was excellent, as were the yields,’’ he said.
‘‘The flavour of our red grapes – the shiraz and cabernet sauvignon – was also superb.
‘‘We had very even yields across the vineyard, after a near-perfect growing season.’’
Mr Spence said a cool spring and start to summer made for an ideal season.
‘‘The cooler temperatures helped with the flowering and fruit set,’’ he said.
‘‘Then the heat in the past few weeks helped ripen any unripe fruit.’’
Mr Spence said picking was now complete, about a week ahead of schedule.
He said the grapes had been transported to Great Western, where they would be turned into wine.
‘‘It will be a vintage to look out for,’’ he said.
Mr Spence thanked the Noradjuha-Quantong Football Netball Club for its time.
‘‘It is the 12th year they have picked for us and they did an outstanding job,’’ he said.
Club president Tim Kelly said picking grapes was a great fundraiser for the club.
‘‘It’s a day that everyone can get involved with, from juniors to older members of the club,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s also a great opportunity for people to get to know new members.’’