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The 2006 Vintage

After two severe winters in 2003 and 2005, the 2006 vintage followed a relatively normal winter for grape growing regions in Ontario.  There were no unusually low temperatures nor were there dramatic temperature swings.  This allowed the vines to overwinter without damage and set the stage for a good growing season. 

Data from the Grape Growers of Ontario shows the tonnage of vinifera grape varieties rebounded strongly, with a total recorded tonnage of vinifera grape varieties of 33,220 tonnes.  This is approximately 4 times the tonnage harvested during the crop failure in 2005.   

Beginning in April, the growing season brought warm but often rainy and humid conditions.  Sunlight hours were slightly less than normal and ripening was delayed in some areas.  Harvest was generally conducted later than typical and progressed well into November as winemakers balanced the desire for additional ripeness with weather and vineyard conditions.  

Late Harvest and Icewine

As with the regular harvest, the Icewine harvest returned to a full crop.  A record tonnage of grapes was registered for Late Harvest and Icewine covering a wide range of varieties.   Total tonnage netted was estimated at 7222 tonnes, more than 2 ½ times the tonnage netted in 2005 and up substantially from the previous record tonnage of 5808 tonnes recorded in 2004. 

A warm December and January pushed harvest dates well into 2007 and led to a significant portion of the crop being diverted to late harvest wines or lost to birds and dehydration.  One harvest opportunity arose on December 7-8, 2006 but the main harvest did not begin until unusually late in mid-January 2007, and picking continued until February 17, 2007 when the harvest was completed.   Harvest and pressing was periodically delayed by long stretches of unsuitably cold temperatures.

As is typical, Vidal grapes provided a large majority of the juice pressed but 16 different vinifera varieties were also pressed for Icewine this year.  Yields were slightly below average and sugar levels were good to excellent.  Quality is expected to be good.