Nearly there ...

With the exception of Hoops’ extended maceration ferments we are close to wrapping up vintage 2011 here at RedHeads and it has certainly been an interesting one.

A cold, wet and late start exploded into sunshine and warmth and although the weather has turned back again now the meat of the work was done whilst basking in the sunshine (and moonlight), the only way to do it really.

There were a few problems along the way requiring some quick thinking and often instant reactions. These though are the things we come to expect during vintage time. You’d never hear of any producer having a faultless vintage and if you did you’d have to question how much they might have indulged themselves in last years barrels.

From fork-lifts warping and snapping under pressure and must pumps exploding to simply having to go fishing for a dip-stick in an open fermenter these kind of events can often be the highlights of a vintage and this year was no exception.

2011 was also a bit of a global vintage for us, mixed in with our resident RedHeads were the likes of Josipa from Mostar, Jane from London, Kurt from Queensland, Rob from Sydney (we’ll ignore the fact he was raised in Adelaide) and so on, everyone bringing their knowledge and doing their bit to get us through.

Now most of the wine is tucked away sleeping in oak and as soon as Hoops’ give us the word we’ll get his hanger-on through the press and into barrel and bang the bung into the 2011 vintage.