WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, TRY PRAYER

PRUNE, Pray, Love, with apologies to Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love. The book title really sums what must be the thoughts of viticulturists and winemakers at the beginning of the grape growing time of year and, indeed, vintage. From the depths of Coonawarra to expanses of the Riverland, all things considered, teams largely have their fingers crossed and pray to whichever gods they subscribe to, hoping the best.

COONAWARRA

Reflecting on vintage 2019, Pete Balnaves, of the Coonawarra Vignerons Board, observed: “Coonawarra received good winter rains leading into the growing season. This growing season highlighted the importance of our good quality and quantity of underground water used to mitigate temperature and seasonal weather conditions. There was