Brokenwood’s 41st vintage got underway a lot earlier than anticipated. The continued dry weather across the eastern half of Australia intensified in early January with a run of above average temperatures. The heavy rain that disrupted the 2012 red harvest gaveway to a typical dry winter and even drier spring when only 92mm ofrain fell in the 4 months July to October. November, December and the early part of January were also dry, leading to lighter canopies to go with the lighter crop load. Shiraz started rolling into the winery on February 2nd with Verona being harvested on the 8th of February.