CENTRAL Victorian winegrowers say they are picking grapes earlier and adjusting their processes to adapt to the changing climate.
Story by Tara Cosoleto, Bendigo Advertiser
While the region is experiencing one of the warmer years on record, Bendigo Winegrowers Association president Wes Vine said the quality and taste of the wine was still excellent.
"We're all aware that conditions have warmed over our lifetime," Mr Vine said. "I think that we're picking grapes earlier so the vintages are coming earlier in the year.
"It used to be that for Shiraz, the grapes would be picked in late April or even into May. But now it's back at the beginning of March.
"I don't think it's affecting taste or quality, but you have to be concerned about where it's all going."
Killiecrankie Wines owner John Monteath said he too has changed processes as a result of the climate.
"It's common that vintages are starting earlier and finishing earlier," Mr Monteath said. "It means that it's condensing the ripening period of the vintage.
"We moved it forward about a month early, which means you have to keep a more watchful eye over the ripening process.
"If you are watching what's happening, the end product is still very good. There are not many years in this region that we can't produce wine of excellent quality."
But Mr Monteath said those changes come at a cost.
"At the vineyards, we're basically farmers," he said. "So we have seen the impact a warming climate is having on our vines.
"Varieties also used to ripen at different times. But now the work load is in a more concentrated patch because a lot of the varieties are ripening at the same time.
"It can put more stress on us and you need to invest in more winery equipment so you can do it all at once rather than spread out over the year. It's quite an expensive exercise."
Mr Vine, who is also the owner of the Mandurang Valley Wines, said while Shiraz is still the prominent variety in central Victoria, that could change in the future.
"The vineyards are looking to grow different varieties for the warmer conditions," he said. "There are a range of varieties grown in Spain, Portugal and Italy in particular.
"Some of those varieties are particularly suited to Australian conditions."
Mr Monteath said despite the challenges, wineries in the region would continue to prosper.
"We're still developing our cellar door invitation," he said. "But Victorians are starting to get out of their winter hibernation and it's starting to pick up now.
"The cellar door experience in the Bendigo region is great because you get to have all of the owners there. We don't have these big corporate entities so the experience is better."
Bendigo Uncorked Week
Mr Monteath will be one of the winegrowers who will display their work at the annual food and wine festival.
"It's a great showcase of what Bendigo has to offer," he said. "It's not just red wine, but also rose and white wines."
The key to the Bendigo Uncorked Week is Bendigo Heritage Uncorked.
The walking food and wine festival features seven of Bendigo's historic landmarks, including the Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, the Shamrock Hotel on Pall Mall, and the MacKenzie Quarters.
There will be more than 50 wines on display from vineyards around the region, as well as locally-sourced produce and dishes.
"It's a very relaxed day and people have enjoyed it for a long, long time," Mr Vine said.
"It's very convenient for patrons. They don't need to drive to different wineries because they're all in town on the same day."
Bendigo Uncorked Week runs from October 4 - 12 and will feature seven events across the Greater Bendigo region.
Bendigo Heritage Uncorked will be on Saturday, October 12 from 11am to 5pm. Tickets can be purchased from Bendigo Tourism.