Relatively dry conditions coupled with near long-term winter/spring temperatures indicated an early start to the growing season. Warm and sunny weather prevailed throughout spring providing optimal conditions for flowering and fruit-set. Barossa Valley experienced 22 days of temperature greater than 35°C in summer, while McLaren Vale experienced 17 days greater than 35°C. Coonawarra, Padthaway and Wrattonbully also had a warm, dry growing seasons by regional standards.
Late flowering and the delayed onset of veraison throughout the south-east slowed harvest by a few weeks. The warm, dry weather carried into autumn, setting up an Indian summer with favourable conditions for ripening both shiraz and cabernet sauvignon grapes.