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Vintage 2024 started back in September 2023 with the first signs of growth and renewal. Since then, we have had rain and warmth at the right times and the vines and the resulting crop has progressed to plan. At this stage, things shift to vintage preparation and planning. We are now probably 2-3 weeks from the chardonnay arriving at the winery, We have some wines to bottle, some cleaning to do and we will be ready for what vintage 2024 brings to the table.

At Hayes Family Wines we have always sort grow the grapes and make the wine at the best quality level we possibly can. Part of this we see as an obligation to minimise the environmental impact we have on our soils, vines and people. We are seeing consumer preferences evolving, new and older generations are expecting businesses to take actions that are consistent with their own expectations and care for the environment and interest and knowledge in what they are eating, drinking and consuming. But this is a journey, not and end point, and Hayes Family Wines is making some progress.

The Schulz’s have been growing grapes in Ebenezer for more than 150 years. Primrose is their family home, and also a wonderful vineyard. Planted to Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro, Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay, it is a diverse block with diverse soils. Our Sections are now Certified Organic and Certified Sustainable. The Chardonnay block is much smaller than it once was, but we are so very lucky to have the remaining 8 rows, or half an acre. It claims its own piece of Barossa History.

Dragan Radocaj is an incredible fine art photographer based in the Barossa. He has taken many of the great photos that I am sure you have admired over the years for us, and most if not all the other wineries of the Barossa Valley. He is a man of rare talent. He also has one of most interesting stories that any individual I have ever encountered. His pictures tell the stories of the Barossa Valley Vineyards, its people and of course its wine.

Having Pruned and Reworked our Old Stone Well Blocks, we took the opportunity to replace the sub-mains, dripper tube and wires after 30 plus years of service. We have not needed supplementary water for the past 3 years, but now, with hot dry conditions forecast, we may need access to a reliable source of external water for the summer ahead.

Reworking an old vineyard can appear tough, but the vineyard will thank us for the effort for years to come. Old unproductive or diseased wood is removed, and the vine refreshed for the years to come. A tough prune you could say, but the hard love will deliver for us and the vines in the warm years ahead.

Our Estate Vineyards and our family owned Grower Vineyards are the hart of what we do. We have access to some of the best grapes in the world. All of our growers are multi-generational and have been on their land growing grapes in the family for over 100 years, many more than 150 years. They know their land and we all benefit from the knowledge that has been passed down for generations. Once a year we get together and drink the fruits of their labour, and what a night it is!

The Dosage decisions have been made and the much anticipated 2021 Hayes Family Wines Blanc de Noirs will soon be disgorged, labelled, and ready for dispatch in late spring. One not be missed!

Pruning is without doubt the most important activity of the year. It requires great skill, persistence and special people. Mandy has been in charge of pruning for years at Hayes Family Wines, we trust her implicitly. Vintage 2024 and 2025 is dependent on her work. Conditions are tough but the vines appreciate it!

The annual Vineyard of the Year Awards have been decided, with the trophy winners for the third instalment announced at a trophy presentation in Melbourne on Tuesday night – the first in-person presentation for these awards. Narrowing the top 50 down to the 4 winners was tough I am sure, but some very worthy winners were selected.

Marcus is one of the great people of the Barossa Valley, and Marcus Schulz is a pretty good bloke too. Our latest ‘prize’ from the Auctions has been a great help over vintage. Feel free to drop in and say hello on your way to Cellar Door

Vintage 2023 has been long but very successful. With all the fruit now picked, crushing, pump overs and ferments complete the last few batches need to go thru the press before being barrelled for the winter ahead. What a wonderful vintage 2023 has been. Time for reflection before we hit the road.

Vintage 2023 is drawing to a close. The Last of the fruit has been picked and crushing is done. Now we have 2 weeks of pump-overs and barrelling to go before we can close out Vintage 2023. Then it is time to hit the road and come and visit all our wonderful friends.

Vintage 2023 has finally kicked into gear with more than 60% of our predicted harvest arriving in the winery in the space of 7 days. Our Estate Fruit, Block 15, Primrose Reds, and the 1919 Shiraz all arriving inside a week. Many of our very best blocks are now safely in the winery, crushed and fermenting away. With a few key blocks still to come from the North and East, we still have a month to go but with good quantities and very good quality, both Growers and Winemakers have cause for happiness.

After a slow start to Vintage 2023, today, 3 April marked the start of vintage at Hayes Family Wines for the dry red destined fruit. The first pick, Block 1 from the Estate Vineyard in Stone Well. Beautiful clean fruit, excellent cropping levels (best in some years). A picture perfect start to vintage 2023 for the reds. We expect we will see a lot of fruit over the coming days with Southern Fruit expected from Williamstown tomorrow. Busy times ahead.