Catherine Vale Wines

Summer at Catherine Vale

Two summers in a row without rain! Reports keep filtering in that there is rain all around but here it’s like hot fat in a pan - it sizzles up and disappears. The ground is scorched dry with hardly a blade of green grass, except where some form of irrigation has been applied. The vineyard is looking good with a lot of green leaves - most fruit has been picked except the reds.

The thermometer on the verandah keeps reporting 40 degrees on most days. Thank heavens for air-conditioning!

2018 VINTAGE

Catherine Vale started picking on the 22nd of January for four days straight. The Chardonnay

came off first with sugar levels 13 % and above followed by Semillon 11.9% and Verdelho 13%. Arneis at 12% the next week. Crop levels have been greater than the lower Hunter with some reporting 20% down. Catherine Vale

is up 20%. Verdelho went from 5 tonnes last year to 6.5 and it has all been sold. Luckily, I have again been able to sell fruit, which according to the accountant is keeping Catherine Vale afloat. Audrey Wilkinson (Agnew Wines) purchased 12 tons of Chardonnay and 5 tons of Verdelho, with a smaller tonnage of Verdelho to Twin Bridges Wines and a bit to some amateur winemakers from Sydney.

This week Dolcetto is coming off for a sparkling red and odd bits for Hunter Wine Services with Barbera tagging along as per usual ready next week.

OVERSEAS VISITORS

On the 5th of January Kevin and Danni arrived from the US. Kevin is the nephew of longtime friend Janet from Washington DC. They stayed until the 28th

of January and are now in Victoria working at

ahostel.

They fixed most meals for the time they were here so I had a nice rest! Francois

and Nicolas arrived from France on the 25th of

January and are hoping to find a winery who needs assistance for vintage in the cooler areas of Australia. They have been doing work in the vineyard and are very good at cutting down all the dead trees I have in the area where I did the cool burn. Not easy in the heat!

RESIDENT DOG

“Basil”, Gavin and Bec’s Australian Bulldog has

been with me since

the 19th of January.

A lovely dog who is

liked by all. She,

unlike Ayesha,

preferred to walk or

run rather than ride

in the truck or on the

bike. She travelled

many miles following us. Unfortunately she returned to her family today.

LAUNCH OF 2017 WINES

An invitation to the wine launch is either included with the news or has been sent by mail chimp. I have decided after many years to make a small charge for the event. Hopefully you will still think it worth a trip to Catherine Vale. The small fee of $10.00 per person will assist with event organisation. The family looks forward to a good attendance and La Bomba Rock will help create the good atmosphere that we always experience at our annual event.

656 Milbrodale Rd, Fordwich NSW, 2330

Ph (02) 6579 1334Fax: (02) 6579 1299

Email:

WINE ORDERS

I thank all of you who purchased wines prior to Christmas. I will not include an order form with this news in the hopes that you will check the website and order receiving a 20 % Discount by using wine2017 or check the Bin ends for give aways.

A LITTLE BIT OF ITALY IN BROKE

This event is in its 13th year and due to a short fall in revenue, I have been organizing the event for the wine and tourism association. You will receive a flyer with information about what is happening at Catherine Vale for the event. Catherinevalewines.com.au has

information about gnocchi and olive oil and preserving workshops. Check out italyinbroke.com.au for more information. You can also book the dinner on the Saturday night with the meal being prepared by Il Cacciatore.

All the best for the rest of Summer. We hope to see many of you in March or April at Catherine Vale.

Yours in Wine

Wendy