Yelland & Papps

Vintage Journal — 2026

Week 9 | 4 May 2026

The Season

The coolness has now settled across the valley. Leaves turn shades of gold through the vineyards while the old trees slowly lighten their load.
There is a distinct shift in the air — the crunch of autumn leaves underfoot, the crisp chill of the mornings, and the quiet feeling that winter is slowly arriving.

Upcoming Fruit

Finished.

In the Winery

All wines are now fully fermented dry and resting quietly in barrel, with only a small number still finalising their journey through malo.
Both whites and reds now sit in a period of calm élevage, waiting for the first true post-vintage look in the coming weeks.

Life in the Winery

The 1890 Shiraz has now been put to oak — one new puncheon alongside a seasoned puncheon.
The Flaxman Shiraz/Syrah rests in seasoned French oak puncheons, beginning its slow élevage.

The Work

With pressing and crushing complete, and all wines safely to barrel, the rhythm of the winery changes once again. Equipment is cleaned thoroughly and packed away until next vintage.
The office side of vintage now begins — notes, movements, records and reflections slowly being entered and organised after weeks of physical work.

Place

The winery feels remarkably quiet now.
With all wines resting in barrel, there is a stillness that settles over the space — the next movement only coming in a few weeks when the first post-vintage tastings begin.

People

As vintage draws to a close, the reflections and discussions between ourselves, growers and trade quietly begin. Conversations shift from harvest and ferments toward style, quality and the shape of the wines ahead.

Craft

Patience now becomes part of the craft.
There is anticipation in waiting those first few weeks before tasting, wondering whether the thoughts and instincts formed in the middle of vintage will reveal themselves in the wines.
Allocations, blending direction and quality begin to take shape in the mind long before the first barrel is opened.

Closing Reflection

A unique and extended vintage — not the fast-paced season we have grown accustomed to.
In reflection, perhaps it was the vintage we needed: time to think clearly, make measured decisions, and not become consumed by the pace and emotion of harvest itself.