Santa Rita Estates predicts record production for three areas in mid-harvest report

Santa Rita Estates has released its mid harvest report, with record production predicted from the areas of Molina, Pumanque, and Cauquenes.

According to the report, the 2022 vintage began with low levels of water in the soil due to a relative shortage of winter rainfall, though Santa Rita Estates (SRE) notes that none of its vineyards were affected by early spring frosts.

And according to harvest data, SRE anticipates record production from the areas of Molina, Pumanque, and Cauquenes in Chile. Some properties nearer the coast have seen a decrease in yield, however, due to the weather during fruit set.

Maipo, Casablanca, and Itahue properties have been affected by drought and low water availability, particularly affecting Merlot which has a lower yield.

In Argentina, Doña Paula Wines is in the midst of harvest. A mild spring gave way to some very cold nights in October which damaged young shoots in Mendoza. As a result, production predictions for Mendoza are 15% lower in volume than the 2021 harvest.

Doña Paula has already harvested Pinot Noir and some Malbec grapes for its top end expressions, with the last of the white grapes now being picked.

Though rainfall levels have been unusually high, good weather is anticipated for the remainder of the month, meaning grapes should be able to be harvested at their peak.