THIS year's vintage has been a solid one for many grapegrowers and winemakers despite below average yields, with many regions across SA reporting excellent fruit quality.
In the Riverland, the majority of grapes have been picked according to Riverland Winegrape Growers Association chair and Sherwood Estates director Brett Proud, Loxton.
Mr Proud said while most growers would struggle to reach their average yields due to factors like water issues, frost and pockets of hail damage, early reports of quality were promising.
"Once the original heat went, the growing season has actually been relatively mild and from our experience the quality of the grapes has been quite good," he said.
"We haven't had enough rain to create any disease issues and from what I here the winemakers are quite pleased with all the grapes coming in.
"The growers that have invested the time and effort, water and fertiliser into growing a good crop would probably hope to get about 90 per cent of their average yield."
Mr Proud, also an independent member of Wine Grape Council of SA, said a major influence on this year's crop for many growers was the price of water, an issue which may shape planting trends moving forward.
"The growers who were exposed to the temporary water market would have been significantly challenged with their cash flow, which puts next year's vintage at risk because I'm sure there's a lot of patches that are not viable at high water prices," he said.
"A lot of growers will be thinking long and hard about whether they continue producing grapes from those lower-yielding, lower-prices varieties."
In the Lower South East, Elders Naracoorte viticulturist Fil Farina said most vignerons would be aiming to finish their harvest by Easter.
White grape varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling were the first to be harvested in late February, with yields slightly down but excellent quality.
Mr Farina said cool, overcast and windy weather during flowering in November affected the fruit set of red grape varieties Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, causing slightly lower yields compared to average, but quality was excellent again.
"Mild daytime temperatures, along with cool overnights during late February and March allowed grapes to ripen slowly, developing great flavours and colour profiles," Mr Farina said.
"There has been no smoke issues down this way compared to other regions and disease pressure has been minimal.
"It could be a classic vintage for reds, especially in the Coonawarra and at Wrattonbully."
Coming off a low rainfall year, combined with poor conditions for set and flowering, led to reduced yields in the Barossa, but Barossa Grape and Wine Association chief executive officer James March said a "fantastic ripening period" meant it would still be an exceptional vintage for the region.
"Vintage is progressing pretty well in terms of timeframe, with most grapes having been harvested and winemakers busy now in the cellars managing fermentation and pressing out," he said.
"Winemakers are reporting amazing quality. There looks to be amazing colours and aromatics, beautiful natural acidities and outstanding quality.
"We're looking at a very reduced yield across the board but the quality has been just fantastic.
"We've had mild, long warm days but cool nights with no significant pressures like heat waves or rainfall."
The story is similar at McLaren Vale with reports of lower yields than previous seasons, but promising quality.
Vintage is mostly finished, with only some later ripening red varieties being picked.
Dry weather conditions throughout spring and summer resulted in vigilant irrigation by growers, alleviating the onset of heat stress in most vineyards. Mild weather during harvest meant disease pressure was low.
Gemtree Wines co-owner and viticulturist Melissa Brown credited the accessibility of the region's recycled water program as a factor in the good health of vineyards during a hot end to the year.
"The season has had its ups and downs but overall we have fared well," she said.
"While there were some very hot days in December and early January, having access to the recycled water program eased the potential onset of stress in vineyards."
Ryecroft and Longline Wines winemaker Paul Carpenter highlighted the "trilogy of McLaren Vale reds" as standout varieties to watch this vintage.
"Grape quality and resultant wine quality looks particularly promising in Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache," he said.
"Shiraz at this early stage looks to be the star of the vintage with moderate crops and smallish berry size heading for concentrated flavours."
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