Winter and spring rainfall was plentiful in Coonawarra. The growing season began with temperatures slightly below average. The gap between bud-burst and flowering was 87 days, which equated to 18 days more than the long-term average, a reflection of the cooler conditions. Higher minimum temperatures were experienced in the months of September, January, March and April.
Late January was particularly warm, which was welcomed by the viticulturalists after a relatively mild start to the summer. Extreme weather events were few, with only 10 days above 35 degrees and a maximum of 39 degrees, recorded on the 8th February. Although veraison was delayed, the grapes ripened slowly but evenly with strong varietal character. Harvest in Coonawarra commenced in late March and was completed in early May. The red varietals showed excellent colours and concentrated flavours in this region.