Vintage Report 2025

Apr 9, 2025

by Duncan Harris in Organic Vineyard

Challenges and Opportunities at a Perth Organic Winery

The 2025 vintage in Baskerville, WA, presented challenges for Swan Valley winemakers. While the harvest remained consistent, the usual hot summer weather patterns required resilience and careful planning to maintain quality and efficiency. Here is the vintage report.

Good rainfall and a few hot days

The 2025 vintage in Baskerville unfolded under largely favourable conditions, beginning with average rainfall during winter and the early growing season. This provided solid moisture reserves in the soil, supporting healthy early vine growth. However, a notably wet spring introduced widespread downy mildew pressure across the Swan Valley. Many vineyards, including ours, experienced natural crop thinning as a result—reducing yields but improving fruit acid balance.

Rainfall dropped off markedly in November, with just 15 mm recorded, and continued dry through December. These dry conditions were not particularly challenging and were consistent with patterns seen in earlier low-rainfall vintages.

While Perth’s lowest annual rainfall was in 2006, Baskerville reached its own minimum more recently in 2023, recording just 448 mm. In contrast, the 2024 calendar year brought a much-improved total of 615 mm, closer to long-term averages.

As summer progressed, a series of hot days in December and January accelerated ripening, prompting an earlier than usual harvest. The combination of mild stress, good canopy retention, and reduced crop load contributed to concentrated flavours and steady ripeness—a rewarding outcome in a season that demanded vigilance but rewarded preparedness.

Early Harvest and Swift Action

With vintage arriving 3 weeks earlier than the previous average, but a week later than last year, growers had to respond quickly.

White grape varieties were harvested in early January, ensuring optimal flavour development and acidity retention.

Red grape varieties, including Shiraz, followed suit in late January, showcasing deep colour and promising characteristics. Despite the challenges posed by the hot weather, the dry-grown fruit was clean and flavoursome.

The accelerated timeline forced growers to be on their toes, with tank space limited.

At Harris Organic Vineyard, we picked a reduced amount of grapes, totalling 6 tonnes. The first pick was on the 8th of January, marking the beginning of our weekly picking session for a rewarding period of activity.

Our last pick, on the 15th of February, brought the season to a close. This culminated in a harvest marked by dedication from all concerned.

Some Winemakers did not make Wine

A colleague of mine, Dan Eggleton of South Australia decided to not make wine in 2025 as he said “Are we going to keep pushing crap into a pipeline that’s already full of crap?’”

You can read all about the Barossa vintage here, including Dan’s article.

Silver Linings in a Demanding Season

Amidst the challenges, there were clear silver linings. Although harvest commenced later than usual, with fruit picked into February, the timing proved advantageous, particularly for fortified wines. The grapes reached optimal sugar levels under clear, dry skies, allowing for the development of rich, concentrated flavours ideal for spirit fortification.

Though taxing, the heat spikes in December and January offered benefits when carefully managed. For those monitoring canopy health and soil moisture closely, the conditions led to wines with depth, structure, and pronounced varietal character.

These hot days hastened physiological ripening, and while vigilance was required to avoid sunburn and dehydration, the result was a vintage marked by precision and intensity—qualities valued in both table and fortified production.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the trials of the 2025 vintage, one thing remains certain: the ever-changing nature of climate demands adaptability. While each season presents its own set of obstacles, it is through ingenuity that we continue to push the boundaries of possibility.

In the years to come, the lessons learned from this vintage will serve as a guide for future endeavours, reminding us of the inherent beauty and unpredictability of grape growing and winemaking.

Raise a glass to toast the fruits of our labour. Let us also raise our gaze to the future, where new challenges and opportunities await.

Vintage Report 2025: Navigating the Winds of Change, One Grape at a Time.