IT’S COMING UP ‘GRAPES’
EVERYTHING’S coming up “grape” at the University of Southern Queensland’s Wine College in Stanthorpe with winemaker Arantza Milicua-Celador promising this year’s crop will be the best of the bunch.
“I’m really happy with it. The fruit quality has been fantastic with complex flavours and aromas, and this year we have Verdelho, Albarino and Marsanne in whites, as well as Tinta Cao, Petit Verdot and tempranillo in reds,” Ms Milicua-Celador said.
Despite the black frost that hit the region in September, yields have been good, allowing the college to produce a range of varietals.
This colourful array is a far cry from the bleak outlook that was facing the college in September 2019 when bushfires threatened to engulf the vineyard.
Queensland College of Wine Tourism CEO Peter O’Reilly recalls an “ember shower” that ignited spot fires inside the courtyard.
“We’re surrounded by buildings on all sides, but the fire managed to make its way over the buildings and ignite the gardens within the walls,” Mr O’Reilly said.
The bushfires passed quickly, but the drought that has gripped the region since early 2018 continues on the Granite Belt.
When the pandemic hit, shutting borders and businesses, and ordering visitors to stay home, many thought it was the final straw for the local economy. How wrong they were.
As soon as the lockdown lifted, visitors returned in greater numbers than ever before with their impact so great that the region almost ran out of wine.
Ms Milicua-Celador said there was enormous relief that this year’s vintage was proving to be such a success.
“The 2021 vintage is one that will be talked about for years to come, and there’s plenty to go around. I think we’ll manage to crush more than 25 tonnes this year,” she said.
“A harvest this size will work out to be around 20,000 bottles of wine.”