Vintage 2025: Winemakers predict a Chardy party

You might have noticed a rising hum spreading across the region over the past six weeks. Tractors are zipping up and down rows like Pac-Man on a mission, followed by effervescent pickers filling their buckets with plush, ripe fruit.

A sea of white stretches for miles with row after row of netting guarding the precious clusters of jewels dangling from heavily laden vines.

The air is sweet and alive with the essence of grapes, making for glorious flying. From this aerial perspective, the region resembles busy bees happily buzzing around the hive.

From July to December, wineries across the region bottle finished wines to empty tanks and barrels, clearing the way for the new.

With January’s warmth, the berries start to ripen, holding the promise of goodness in each young orb.

By mid-February, the latest fruit harvest arrives at the winery, in all their glistening, juicy glory, ready to be processed and start their journey to becoming wine.

And now the region’s winemaking season is in full swing!

While workers may be weary from 12-hour shifts, and winemakers waver between stress and excitement, it’s a moment to enjoy and take pride in the fruits of their labour.

The thing about making wine, is that you’re at the mercy of Mother Nature. Weather can make or break a season, and so can pests, but nature also has a way of controlling and deterring those pesky and persistent grape munchers.

Every year, wineries rely on the surrounding Marri trees to yield abundant blossoms. These succulent native flowers are irresistible to birds, prompting them to indulge in the blooms rather than grapes. This year, the Marri didn’t play along, producing scant blossoms and a frenzy of feathered grape-raiders.

Since January, vineyards have been scurrying to quickly net their prized fruit.

“Vintage is looking excellent so far,” Glenn Goodall, Xanadu Wine’s chief winemaker said. “We picked the Chardonnay at Xanadu a few weeks back, following on with the Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Bird pressure has been high with a distinct lack of Marri blossom, so the Chardonnay yields have been inconsistent, but the quality of fruit harvested has been outstanding!”

Goodall said the crew were excited about the Cabernet prospects. “Even though it’s still a month away from harvest, it’s looking delicious and already developing great flavour.”

As we journey up the coast, Ianto Ward, head viticulturist at Juniper Estate, shared the excitement and appreciation for what’s filling their baskets.

“V2025 really has kicked into full swing this past few weeks. We began with a sparkling wine pick on the 6th of February, and we are through the Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon,” he said. “The reds are flowing in now. Following the record early harvest in V2024, we’re returning to more typical start dates this year.”

“Milder temperatures through the summer have allowed the vines to recover from last season and they have responded with bigger berry bunches across many varieties. Everyone had their bird nets deployed early, with little sign of the local Marri and Blackbutt blossom to distract the birds from the ripening grapes.”

Ianto feels some wines may steal the show. “It’s early, but we have some very smart-looking Chardonnay batches fermenting away in the winery. They are showing a balance, flavour, and juiciness that may be the signature of the 2025 vintage.”

While the results are Mother Nature’s gift, the region consistently delivers exceptional wines, thanks to its natural advantages – diverse terroirs and remarkable microclimates from cape to cape. Different soil types, flora, landscapes, and proximity to the ocean influence the temperature, growth patterns, character and flavour of each grape varietal, infusing the wines with unique personalities.

It’s an intriguing wine adventure to compare a Cabernet Sauvignon from southern Margaret River with one from further north, near Yallingup. Although they are the same variety, they convey a completely different wine story.

Beyond the wine itself, the beauty of this topographical mosaic lies in the fact that each winery, even those nestled side by side, follows its own unique harvest rhythm. Some source fruit from various corners of the region, while others may harvest from a sun-kissed north-facing slope or sit cradled in a slight gully. These nuances create a personal vintage tempo.

Take our friends at Howard Park, for instance. While Juniper’s grapes are arriving at an even and expected pace, the Howard Park team is experiencing what they describe as a “fast, furious, and fabulous V2025!”

“This year is ahead by 2 to 3 weeks,” Howard Park owner Jeff Birch said. “We’re about 50 percent through this year’s harvest, with our sparkling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Riesling all in. Historically, this is quite early for us, with half our vintage picked before the end of February.

“The weather has been perfect – warm days, cool nights, and no disease pressure, resulting in clean, ripe fruit full of flavour while still retaining great acidity. Chardonnay is looking fantastic, and there will be plenty of it! We haven’t started picking the reds yet, but they won’t be far behind. They’re colouring up beautifully with intense flavours and good tannin structure.”

It seems that despite location and geographical diversity (whether north or south) one particular variety is capturing the spotlight and generating excitement among winemakers this season… Chardonnay!

“Leading up to this vintage, the Marri trees have had little to no blossom, keeping vineyard teams busy netting fruit from hungry birds,” Fraser Gallop’s head winemaker Elin Tritt said. “While Chardonnay has shown some variability in the vineyard, the whites are already delivering outstanding flavours. Vintage 2025 is unfolding as a classic season – warm days, cool nights, and exceptional flavours. Chardonnay shines, and while it’s early for the reds, they’re showing great potential.”

There are also an incredible number of dedicated workers who tirelessly toil to protect the vines.

“A massive thumbs up to teams all over the region who have been pulling in and putting out nets on these hot days. Often a thankless task, but so important in maintaining quality, especially with bird pressure like this year,” Goodall said.

They say farmers have an uncanny way of reading nature’s signs. Jeff Burch’s old farmer mate might be onto something when he leaned over the fence and mused, “Mother Nature does reward you sometimes, and it looks like 2025.”

Whispers suggest keeping an eye out for 2025 Chardonnays (the word is elegant and heavenly fruit-driven), and I’ve got a hunch that King Cabernet will also showcase some stunning charisma this year! With a fluttering flitter of anticipated excitement, I will leave you till next time…