After an exceptionally busy spring at Europa Gully, we’re thrilled to share an update on the growth and development of our newest vineyard blocks. Over recent months we’ve prepared soil, installed infrastructure, and completed the planting of two new sections: 1.3 hectares of Pinot Noir and 0.7 hectares of Chardonnay. With these additions now in the ground, our focus has shifted to nurturing the young vines and setting them up for long-term success.
Spring in Beechworth has been unusually cold – remarkably similar to the lead-up to the 2023 vintage, which ultimately delivered one of the latest harvests we’ve seen in years. This year appears to be following suit. On 12 November, temperatures dipped to –0.3°C, delivering a ground frost across the property. While this sort of cold snap is always nerve-wracking, we were relieved to find that none of our vines were damaged. In the higher-elevation vineyards of the region, that same system even brought snow – a rare sight for November and a clear sign that harvest 2026 is shaping up to be another late one.
The vines planted last year are also progressing beautifully. After being trained up to the permanent fruiting wire through last summer, they were carefully pruned during winter, leaving two to three buds on each side and then top-tied to support even development. This spring they have burst with strong, healthy shoots, each carrying the first signs of potential bunches. It’s always exciting to see those tiny clusters forming – early proof that all the work through winter and early spring has paid off.
If the season continues without major weather events, we’re on track to pick our first small crop from these young blocks in the coming vintage. We expect to harvest a few tonnes each of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Petit Arvine, marking an important milestone as Europa Gully continues to evolve. We can not wait!
There’s still a long way to go between now and harvest, but the early signs are incredibly encouraging – and we can’t wait to see these young vines produce their first fruit.
Stay tuned.
