Environment

SA’s most severe frost in decades has decimated vineyards, here’s what you need to know

By Gracie Wallace

Posted on September 20, 2024

Feature Image: Fernfield Wines

Frost has caused severe damage to vineyards across South Australia, affecting growers statewide, with many in the Barossa and Riverland regions facing distress.

The Barossa saw some promising warm weather early in September, which led to strong bud bursts, but unfortunately, this was followed by frost on the mornings of September 13th and 17th which damaged the flatter sections of vineyards. Barossa CropWatch reported that low winter rainfall and dry soil conditions, combined with a cold southerly air mass, created the perfect storm for frost events.

“Frost damage to vines has been reported across all subregions of the Barossa and Eden Valleys, with some areas more severely affected than others. There are anecdotal reports of temperatures dropping below -3 degrees in some locations,” A Barossa CropWatch report from September 18th read.

“Whilst we are still trying to ascertain the full extent of the impacts from our grower network, first indications do point to a widespread and significant event across the region,” Barossa Australia said.

“An additional challenge growers could do without, but we hope we have seen the last of these unfavourable conditions.”

Michael Kies of Kies Family Wines, who has seen 55 vintages, has never seen a frost like this.

“Unfortunately, it’s farming, but at the same time, it doesn’t hurt any less,” Jesseca Kies of Kies Family Wines says.

Over in the Riverland, the impact of frost was equally as severe. 919 Wines reported losing their entire vineyard: “We lost the remainder of the 919 Vineyard in Glossop the other night. We were still coming to grips with it yesterday,” A post to Facebook read.

“In the 23 years we’ve been here we’ve never had this much frost damage. If we’re lucky we may be able to salvage a minor crop. It will be very special indeed if we do.”

“We’re lucky because we’ve diversified our business. We do wine making and we sell wine. But our lovely neighbour across the road, she’s lost all her chardonnay,” Jenny from 919 Wines says.

Many vineyards have been affected, which could spell disaster for wineries and their vintages. We must also consider the growers who don’t own wineries. For them, grape farming is their sole source of income. There is a strong hope that the government will now step in to provide assistance.

With frost season continuing all the way through until November, this might not be the last of it. That’s why it’s more important than ever to support our local wineries, who truly need the community’s backing right now.

“Now more than ever, we would absolutely love to see people out in the regions,” Jesseca from Kiers Family Wines says.

“All of us little winemakers will welcome the community with open arms and everyone will try some excellent wines. They probably just won’t be 2015 vintage, because now we have hardly any.

“We just encourage people to get out into the regions, seek out the family owned ones, the ones that grow the grapes on the property, and just come and say hello!”

So, how can you help?

Spread the word: Share information about affected wineries and encourage others to support them.
Visit cellar doors: Visit local wineries and taste their offerings.
Attend events: Participate in community events hosted by wineries.
Purchase wine: Buy directly from vineyards to help their businesses.

Here’s a list of some of the wineries impacted you can support that we’re aware of.

To see how each winery was impacted and what you can do to help specifically, click here.