The 2024/25 growing season was very dry with rainfall less than half of the long-term average. Early budburst, combined with the dry conditions resulted in extremely high frost risk and some vineyards were impacted by frost damage during a cold spell in September.

Vintage 2025 caught Langhorne Creek producers slightly by surprise, being one of the earliest on record with picking starting in late January. The harvest period was also condensed with Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon ripening together in some vineyards, as well as it being one of the earliest closing vintages in living memory.

Despite these initial challenges, 2025 will be recorded as an outstanding year for both red and white varieties from Langhorne Creek. Warm days, low spring rainfall and dry conditions leading up to harvest resulted in excellent fruit condition and reduced disease pressure.

The dry conditions meant close water management was critical over the growing season with producers utilising their block monitoring and irrigation capabilities to the full. Post-harvest irrigation was also critical to ensure vines were well positioned leading into dormancy.

Smaller berries, good fruit weight and structured tannins were key traits of the Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Shiraz showing lifted aromatics and elegance in fruit character. It was an excellent year for Malbec, in both yield and quality, with lovely freshness in aromatics, excellent concentration in flavour and firm tannins. Exceptional flavour development was also reported in the white varieties with punchy expression and lovely, balanced palates. With sugar accumulating quite fast in the fruit, attention was needed on flavour development rates as they seemed to build later in the ripening cycle.

Most producers finished picking in mid- to late-March and enjoyed the rare treat of having an Easter break. Overall, the wines of 2025 will be remembered for their great fruit concentration and vibrant aromatics.

Thank you to Nicole Brasier from Bleasdale Vineyards, Rebecca Willson from Bremerton Wines and Greg Follett from Lake Breeze Wines.