April 30, 2025 — The 2025 vintage in the Mornington Peninsula will be remembered for a near-perfect growing season shaped by balanced weather, optimal ripening conditions, and a return to healthy yields, after a string of cooler, lower-yielding years. This vintage stands out not only for its quality but also for its timing, volume, and the unique meteorological backdrop that made it possible.
Growing Season Overview
Winter 2024 was mild yet generous in rainfall, with 185 mm falling steadily through June, July, and August. This provided ideal soil moisture heading into spring and laid the foundation for healthy vine growth. Budburst began in the second week of September under favourable conditions, and the even, warm spring weather supported uniform flowering and excellent canopy development. By the time veraison began on 3 January — earlier than in recent years — the vines were in superb health.
Summer brought consistent warmth with minimal rain, resulting in accelerated berry ripening. While the dry stretch presented some irrigation challenges, resilient vineyard practices ensured the fruit remained vibrant and well-formed. Across the region, bunch sizes were balanced, canopies remained lush, and disease pressure was minimal.
A brief hot spell in early February, featuring elevated daytime and night temperatures, but cooler changes arrived just in time. Fruit has maintained lively acidity and freshness — particularly notable in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which are showing exceptional promise.
Harvest & Yields
Picking commenced in earnest by mid-February — the earliest start on record for some vineyards — though a period of cooler weather in March moderated the pace, extending harvest into April and aligning final pick dates with long-term averages. The result was a condensed but ultimately balanced vintage that, while challenging in logistics, was efficient and cost-effective.
Across the board, yields aligned with long-term averages, with some varietals such as Shiraz exceeding expectations. Strategic fruit dropping helped manage excess load and preserve concentration. “Up the Hill” sites saw good volumes and quality, defying past years of low-yield challenges. Whites were slightly below average, but this was offset by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay already being praised for their drive, depth, varietal clarity, and structure.
Wine Style & Early Impressions
Despite warmer temperatures, the wines show a surprising level of freshness and finesse. The elevated night-time temperatures — a hallmark of this vintage — accelerated ripening and compound development, helping preserve vibrancy while promoting full phenolic maturity.
Chardonnay displays early acids and remarkable tension, alongside ripe stone fruit and citrus characters. Pinot Noir is bright, with plush fruit and refined tannins. Shiraz, while picked selectively to avoid over-ripeness, is aromatic and poised, offering lifted spice and silky textures.
Regional & Climate Context
The 2025 vintage follows five cooler years that many believed signaled a long-term shift. However, this year’s warmth and dryness have reignited speculation about another warm cycle akin to 2005–2010. The Antarctic Vortex, weakened since mid-2024, has led to a negative Southern Annular Mode (SAM), shifting weather systems northward and bringing warmer, drier air to coastal regions like Mornington.
While this year’s conditions appear anomalous, some believe it may be a one-off — a “unicorn vintage” —
as the stratospheric moisture from the 2021 Tongan eruption continues to influence climate patterns. Whether this marks the beginning of a new phase or a brief detour remains to be seen.
Market & Operational Notes
Fruit prices have softened slightly compared to 2024, due in part to the rebound in volume. Labour demand surged with the early harvest window, placing strain on logistics and winery operations. Nonetheless, the streamlined vintage has reduced some operational costs and enabled more efficient processing.
Inflationary pressures continue to affect production inputs, but the high quality of fruit and early interest in the 2025 wines suggest strong demand and healthy returns on investment.
