Category Archives: 2008 Vintage Diary

Jon F.  Last night turned out to be one of those nightmare shifts for all involved.  I arrived at the office and winery at around 8.50pm ready to crush and press around 30 tonne of Sauvignon Blanc.  Ash told me that … Continue reading →

Jon F.  The other day I was speaking to a friend who worked vintage in a winery a few years ago, just to try something different. He’s in the construction industry, and had no previous experience prior to working vintage.  … Continue reading →

Jon F.  Yesterdays weather forecast was for light showers clearing during the day. Well today it rained for most of it, and it’s now quite cold and dreary, much like a winters day rather than later summer. The rain in … Continue reading →

No more fruit is ready to pick. Sauvingon Blanc is sitting at around 20 Brix and table Chardonnay around the same. Good flavours are beginning to become apparent, but we will still be looking at around early to mid next … Continue reading →

Last night was one of those nights.  My offsider in the winery couldn’t work for various reasons, and it all started fromt there. It was meant to bet a short sharp shift.  10 tonne of Chardonnay for Sparkling base.  In … Continue reading →

   After arriving 2 night ago, I completed my first night shift of vintage.  Quite a bit has changed at Smithbrook since I was winemaker / manager over 2 years ago, most notable in the winery.  Just prior to my departure, … Continue reading →