Posted on: Jock Harvey's wall

We started picking a couple of nights ago, first time weve picked iN January
, this is because the crops are light and we've had a classic year, wet winters, mild spring and a few hot days in summer. 2012 will go down as a classic. On Sunday night it was still in the mid twenties around midnight when Nadal and Jocovik were playing their epic final at the Australian Open, I was picking Chardonnay around midnight when a shower of rain came through, the fruit tasted like pineapple and with a warm night and a shower of rain it felt more like Asia than McLaren Vale. We'll be picking the Savignan for Jacko's Leap in a couple of weeks, drink up, drink safe

Jock 12:38 31/01/2012 Comment

Posted on: Rodolfo Bastida's wall

Hi, I'm traveling in Galicia again. Albariño wines made ​​in a small valley called "val do Salnés" I´m thinking they are the best. Albariño is perhaps better than Spain provided the backdrop of white wines in the world. Very difficult to cultivate, but long-lived wines, clean and aromatic Salnés conreto the salty notes and eucalyptus are very fine. The aroma is like the toilet soap (almond flowers and lemon fine), fine, complex and great with seafood. Please try it ..... They are not cheap but very good. Maybe in Spain the best value wines are from Rueda. Verdejo (the grape) it is very special. Well adapted to the area (high altitud and dry area). Singular soil and nice growers. But we will talk about another day, if if you can, try it ....¡

Rodolfo 08:46 30/01/2012 Comment

Posted on: Jock Harvey's wall

I had a question from Simon about where I farm in relation to the Hunter Valley, we are a 16 hour drive south. The best way to have a good look around is to go onto Google Earth and take a tour of McLaren Vale

Jock 21:31 23/01/2012 Comment

Posted on: Jock Harvey's wall

Theres a great beach not far from the vineyards called Port Willunga, it was 37 degrees today and there was a great red sunset across the water, full of people on the last week of school holidays, the water was calm, almost the perfect evening. We start picking at the end of the week as the Chardonnay is getting ripe on the shallow soils, it's going to be one of the best vintages in a long time, smaller berries and a light crop.

Jock 13:07 23/01/2012 Comment

Posted on: Jock Harvey's wall

Its coming to the end of the working week and the vineyard guys have just knocked off and had a BBQ and a few cold beers, It's 34 degrees and clear blue skys. Needless to say its been a busy year, within a few weeks the red grapes will move to veraison and start to develop some colour, we'll get the harvesters ready and we will be picking in about 8 weeks.
But Sunday is Christmas and I'd like to take the opportunity to wish you all a safe holiday and enjoy the time with family and friends. 2011 is nearly done and we roll into another year that will be shorter than the last - So whats a good New Years Resolution - Pay a little more, drink better wine and drink a little less - find some interesting wines made by real people.
Lastly - thank you all for your support and your comments, thank you to the Naked Team for putting me into contact with you all.
Best wished - Jock

Jock 03:45 23/12/2011 Comment