News
Katnook Gala Nights at the Opera. March 2016
Katnook is proud to offer its customers an exclusive opportunity to meet the stars of Opera Australia's "Pearlfishers" as part of our annual VIP Gala Nights at the Opera series. In 2016, join us in Sydney on March 3rd or Melbourne on May 26th.
THe evening includes A reserve seating, a program, VIP interval drinks at which Katnook new releases will be served plus the post performance private meeting wiht the stars. See our events tab for more details and how to book. Places are strictly limited.
Vintage 2016 In the Bag
Vintage is in the bag for another year and what a great year it was. Katnook Viticulturist, Chris Brodie elaborates on the growing conditions. "Katnook had an ideal lead up to Vintage 2016, with above average temperatures for the early part of the season (especially October), and the driest spring and summer for many years, maybe on record.
Harvest started on February 5th 2016, our earliest vintage yet, with the harvest of pinot meuniere, then chardonnay and pinot noir for sparkling wine base – followed by whites. Red varieties were picked throughout March with harvest ending on 31st March.
We had occasional, light rain during vintage which, with water from our high quality ground water resources, helped sustain the vines and fruit quality. Cabernet sauvignon quality is particularly exciting.
There were no frosts or disease in the lead up to harvest, nor any weather extremes. Good quality fruit growth and near perfect crop load balance resulted in a pleasing vintage."
Senior Winemaker Wayne Stehbens reports that, "2016 was our earliest start to vintage on record and it was a year of ‘firsts’.
-the first time all the white wines have been picked by the end February.
-the first time we have picked red grapes (other than sparkling base) in February (on the 29th).
-the first time we have finished picking all grapes by 31st March.
The cooler nights and days experienced in early March slowed down the maturities of red grapes, thus greatly enhancing colour and flavour retention.
Our early predictions of above average quality for white wines were accurate. Sparkling wines and the whites – chardonnay, riesling and sauvignon blanc - have great balance, pleasing varietal flavours and aromatics.
The red wines at this early stage have excellent colour, generous flavours and persistent tannin structures, adding balance and weight.
Overall, I rate 2016 as a well above average year."
Comments (10)Aircraft Assisting Coonawarra Vineyard Quality
A new project, partly funded by the SA State Government, is helping Coonawarra vignerons reduce vine water stress and improve nutrient status, giving even better quality wines. The Innovative Coonawarra Grape and Wine Incorporated Project is being undertaken at 21 vineyards including Katnook.
The collected data includes chlorophyll levels, vine canopy temperatures and vine growth. It is being converted into maps on a block by block basis. Coonawarra viticulturists are using the technology with the assistance of researchers from the University of Adelaide.
Project leader and viticulturist at Wynn’s Coonawarra Estate Dr Cath Kidman said information collected in the early stages of the project is already having a positive impact. “We’re now gaining ‘real time’ information which means that growers can potentially make strategic irrigation decisions a whole lot earlier than previously possible,” she said. “This is all about working as a community to innovate and enhance grape and wine quality, whilst conserving Coonawarra’s precious groundwater.”
Katnook Estate Vineyard manager Chris Brodie said the initial flyover revealed some areas under stress. “In response to that information, we replaced 50 irrigation lines and a second flight indicated that the affected vines are already showing signs of recovery,” he said. “Access to actual vine water stress information in a timely and relevant way means that our company can use water more efficiently and potentially improve the quality of our wine.
“I think the information obtained from this project will provide many unforseen benefits. I can use this data in so many ways, enabling me to undertake actions this year and in coming years.”
A final report on the results of the trial flights and data gathering is due next month. In 2014-15 South Australia’s Gross Wine Revenue was $1.78 billion, with the state’s winemakers producing 507 million litres of wine worth $1.6 billion. In 2014-15 the farm gate value of grapes rose by 11% to $470 million.
04/05/2016 at 8:48 AM
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Vintage 2016 looking fabulous!
Katnook Vineyard Manager, Chris Brodie explains, “We have had an ideal lead up to Vintage 2016, with above average temperatures for the early part of the season and the driest spring and summer for many years, maybe on record. Harvest started on February 5th 2016, our earliest vintage yet, with the harvest of pinot meuniere for sparkling wine base, followed closely by the whites.
Red varieties were completely harvested by the end of March. We had occasional, light rain during vintage which helped sustain the vines and fruit quality. There has not been any frost or disease in the lead up to harvest, nor have we had any weather extremes. We’ve enjoyed good leaf quality and fruit growth, as well as near perfect crop load balance. 2016 is shaping up to be an excellent year.
Meanwhile in the winery, Wayne Stehbens says, “ Although our earliest start to vintage on record, indications are that we have above average quality for Katnook white wines. Ripe varietal flavours developed at low sugar levels in the whites, meaning we can expect good varietal distinction at lower alcohol levels in the final wines.
Sparkling wine and all still white wines fermented evenly and were finished by the end of March. The cooler nights and days experienced in early Marchslowed down the maturities of red grapes, which was great for colour and flavour retention.
Early indicators are that we are in for some great 2016 wines in bottle.
01/04/2016 at 4:07 PM
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Official Wine for Melbourne International Jazz Festival
Katnook Founder's Block has again been selected as the official wine for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, (MIJF) - the largest Jazz Festival in Australia. The Festival is the perfect partner for our fruit driven Founder's Block wines - which like Jazz are lively and designed for immediate enjoyment.
The 2016 Festival runs between 3rd to 12th of June across Melbourne’s recital and concert halls, public squares, jazz bars and clubs. The Festival will also develop a unique program Jazz-Out-West in Footscray and utilise key live music venues in the area. With its 19 year history, the MIJF has reached new heights and introduced audiences to the full jazz experience with over 300 jazz artists from Australia, USA, Norway, Puerto Rico, Israel, Ethiopia, Italy, Brazil, India and Poland.
On June 10th, Katnook will host a VIP back stage tour for our customers before Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Septet perform live. See our events page for more details.
Click here to check out all the MIJF program.
Katnook Gala Nights at the Opera
Katnook is proud to offer its customers an exclusive opportunity to meet the stars of Opera Australia’s “Pearlfishers” as part of our annual VIP Gala Nights at the Opera series. In 2016, our first gala night was in Sydney on March 3rd and our next one will be held in Melbourne on May 26th.
The evening includes pre show dinner and wine, A reserve seating, a program, VIP interval drinks at which Katnook new releases will be served plus the post performance private meeting wiht the stars. See our events tab for more details and how to book. Places are strictly limited.