Tapanappa Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 2018

2018 vintage was very warm in Tapanappa’s Piccadilly Valley vineyards.

Although amongst the warmest vintages on record, 2018 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay was harvested on the long-term average date of March 26.

2018 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay harvest date of 26th of March was preceded by the 2017 harvested on the 13th of April, the latest ever and by the 2016 harvested on the

12th of March, the earliest ever.

I have labelled 2018 “Another hot one” because the heat summation for the growing season was 1511º C days versus the average of 1058 ºC days (Mt. Lofty), not quite as

warm as 2016 at 1583°C days but warmer than 2017 at 1303°C days.

It is obvious 2018 should be earlier than 2017 but why was it on average rather than earlier like 2016?

The answer is that a lot of the above average heat in 2018 was at night. Higher but still moderate night temperatures don’t affect vine physiology as much as higher day

temperatures.

The January to March rainfall in the Piccadilly Valley was less than half of the average rainfall.

Despite being warm and dry there were no heat-waves in the Piccadilly Valley for the 2018 vintage. The Piccadilly Valley vineyards delivered disease free, thoroughly ripe

Chardonnay fruit in perfect condition and at moderate sugar levels.