MYRTLEFORD and district grape growers and wineries are making the most of favourable conditions to harvest this year's fruit for vintage.
Weather patterns over the recent months have been beneficial to vineyards in the local area, with vignerons happy there have been few humid days compared to previous years and overall, not too hot or too cold.
"This season has been really, really good and our fruit yield is up this year due to the weather," Myrtleford's Michelini Wines sales and marketing manager, Kane Michelini told the Myrtleford Times this week.
"It's been nice and dry for growing season, but there are still some cool nights for the vines.
"Across the board, the quality of our whites and reds should be up there with some of the best years' vintages, particularly our Sangiovese and Nebbiolo reds.
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"We're wrapping up our harvest now...all the white grapes are done, but we'll take the next three weeks to finish harvesting the reds.
"We're hoping the weather holds out and we plan to get the fruit off the vine before any controlled burns are carried out in the area."
Meanwhile, further along the Great Alpine Road, the harvest of Gapsted Estate's 2025 Vintage has been in full swing in recent weeks.
Members of the sales team exchanged spreadsheets for cellar tools, got up bright and early and rolled up their sleeves to lend a hand picking the vineyard's legendary 'Saperavi' grapes.
"We are feeling buoyant," Gapsted Estate chief winemaker, Andrew Santarossi said.
"From grape arrivals to daily ferment checks, the energy is high and the wine is well on its way."
Over the next month, Gapsted Estate is set to finalise preparations for its Autumn Long Launch, where fine wine meets seasonal flavours in an unforgettable afternoon.
For more information about wineries in Myrtleford and the Alpine Shire, visit: https://alpinevalleysvignerons.com.au/
