Farmers grapeful for weather
Lack of rain benefits wineries
THE lack of rain on the Darling Downs this summer has created a deliciously sweet table grape crop which is hitting supermarket shelves this week.
Wineries have benefited from the favourable hot, dry conditions this season and despite a small yield, farmers said prices had been “reasonable”.
Family-run Riversands Winery on the outskirts of St George wrapped up their harvest of table grape crop over the Christmas period and will be making their way into Coles, Woolworths and Aldi supermarkets this week.
Owner/ operator David Blacket said it had been a pretty good season so far.
“It wasn’t a big crop but the weather has been in our favour,” he said.
“The heat and the dryness makes for good sugars in the grape. This year they’re very crisp and sweet which is good.”
The Christmas period also proved well for Riversands’ own bottled wine, including the Black Magic Vintage Port.
The sauvignon blanc and chardonnay wine grapes were picked earlier this week at “good quality”, while the red wine grapes, such as their shiraz and moscato, will be picked Australia Day weekend.
The Maranoa and Warrego district is forecast for another hot, dry week with a top of 38C on Saturday — which will help with their produce.
French backpacker Catherine Moret, 20, was on deck to help pick the table grapes over Christmas.
She was among about 40 other international backpackers and contractors working through the holiday period.
“This job is really cool,” she said.
“The grapes are really nice. We love it here (in Australia) because it’s really different to France.”