Pinot noir at Limestone Hills, May 5th, 2007
Danny estimated our first vendange to be about 35kg. Not a lot - barely worth picking - but it will be made into wine chez Schuster. Two main problems: the nets went on late, allowing the birds to get in and feast on most of what was there (which wasn't much anyway, because the region had a poor fruit set in our cold spring), and recent rain caused some fruit to split and pick up a fungal infection. Looking good for next year though. Nets on by the end of January, a bit of drainage work, and 2008 pinot and syrah from Limestone Hills should be a reality. Look out for Cotes du Waipara in 2009.