From the Vineyard

Vineyard News Autumn 2026

Harvest has now wrapped up for the season at Hollowmere, with our Barbera being the final grapes to come off the vineyard last Friday. Handpicked in the cool of the morning, it marked the end of another busy and rewarding vintage.

Overall the fruit quality this year is looking very promising, with great flavour and balance across the vineyard. The grapes are now safely in the winery where fermentation is underway, and the wines will gradually make their way into tanks and barrels over the coming weeks.

Our winemaker Camille is keeping a close eye on everything as the new vintage begins its journey, and he's very pleased with the quality of fruit and juice coming from this year's harvest.

While it's still early days, the signs are very encouraging and we're looking forward to seeing how the 2026 vintage develops in the months ahead.

Vineyard News February 2026

This season has certainly kept us on our toes. Ongoing drought conditions, minimal rainfall, persistent winds and periods of extreme heat have shaped the lead-up to vintage and, ultimately, influenced our decision to begin harvesting a little earlier than usual.

Like many growers across the region, we're also navigating increased pressure from wildlife, with hungry birds finding our vineyard an appealing food source. We're actively managing this with deterrents to protect the fruit as it reaches its final stages of ripening.

Harvest will begin early next week, starting with hand-picking our Chardonnay in the cool of Tuesday morning, before moving through the vineyard in the weeks that follow. Despite the challenges, the fruit is looking and tasting excellent, and the unique conditions of the season promise an exciting and distinctive 2026 vintage.

Two new blocks go in

Six rows of Nebbiolo and four of Vermentino went into the stony ridge this month, on the driest corner of the estate. First fruit is four years away, and we will not rush it.

A week of tasting

Camille spent the week tasting through the region's current releases with other growers, which is how a small estate keeps its palate honest.

"You learn more in five days of tasting other people's wine than in a year of tasting your own." — Camille Rousset

Sangiovese Rose 2021

We are now able to release this for purchase for all to enjoy. Just in time for spring and summer.

New Machine

Just in time for spraying in the vineyard. Our new tractor and sprayer gets underway through the 15 hectares of vine.

Sangiovese Rose Bottled

Our first 2021 is in the bottle and soon on your table ready for spring and summer. Meet our 2021 Hollowmere Sangiovese Rose.

Vineyard Early Spring

Our winemaker and team are working hard in the vineyard. The team have finished pruning the 15 hectares of vines, and just 2 weeks into spring, our Sangiovese has started to see buds and grow young shoots.