Vintage 2012 - Geelong vignerons celebrate "A little gem"

Geelong vignerons are celebrating the culmination of Vintage 2012 with the prediction that wines emanating from the region will extend Geelong’s reputation as one of Australia’s premiere wine producing regions.

Across the board, local winemakers are genuinely excited about the quality of fruit and varietal intensity from this year’s harvest.  With fermentation processes well underway, the resultant wines are already shaping up to be seriously impressive – Vintage 2012 will be an enduring, signature year for Geelong Wine.

The 2012 viticultural season delivered a fine, moderate ripening period, ideal for colour development, fruit flavour and intensity, particularly in the aromatic whites which should display some striking varietal characteristics.  Whilst yield across the region was generally lower than the long term average, climatic influences saw a slightly earlier harvest than 2011 with vines progressing through to full ripeness whilst maintaining natural acidity.

Another particularly positive aspect of Vintage 2012 was that disease pressure was minimal in the lead up to harvest.  Unlike previous vintages, the season was relatively kind – there was neither drought or extended periods of intense heat or wet to contend with.

Later ripening reds such as Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon enjoyed the consistency in ripening period with rich, bold varietal intensity apparent.  The earlier picked reds, such as Pinot Noir and Merlot, are also shaping up well in terms of complexity with some great cool vintage influences shining through as well.

One of the wonderful things that sets the Geelong wine region apart is that it embraceds three dynamic sub regions – The Bellarine, Moorabool Valley and the Surf Coast.  Each sub region boasts its own unique micro climate and ‘terroir’ which impact upon ultimate wine offerings.  The result is that wine lovers can visit Geelong and be tantalised by an incredibly broad range of palate nuances – delicate fingerprints of each sub region, yet all part of one greater region.