A dry summer saw Fleurieu wine regions drop production, but not as much as other areas, according to the 2020 wine grape crush survey.

The total reported crush of South Australian wine grapes in 2020 was 15 per cent below last year’s and was the smallest crush since 2007.

McLaren Vale’s volume was down by 13 per cent, but it overtook the Barossa to become the second largest producing region after the Riverland.

The total estimated value of the state’s crush was $557 million compared with $630 million in 2019, with the decline in volume partly offset by an increase in the average value of grape purchases. 

Currency Creek defied the trend to record a two per cent increase, while Langhorne Creek was at the other end of the scale with a 44 per cent decrease.

Other Fleurieu zones and Kangaroo Island account for a tiny fraction of the total crush, but broadly the Fleurieu volume was down while KI went up.

McLaren Vale accounts for only four per cent of the total production in South Australia but its top quality means it achieved 10 per cent of the total value.

Langhorne Creek also punches above its weight, reaching five per cent of total production value.

Nationally the crush was down 12 per cent, but there was a five per cent increase in the average value of grapes, a trend that has continued for the last five years.

Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark said while the crop was down, wine quality was expected to be high. 

Autumn temperatures were generally around average or slightly cooler, leading to ideal ripening and harvesting conditions, and the reduced yields have resulted in more concentrated colours and flavours in the berries.

“This vintage will enable us to continue to meet our targets of value growth in premium wine market segments, although the constrained supply will restrict overall volume growth in the next 12 to 24 months.”

Full details of the 2020 wine grape crush survey are available from the Wine Grape Council of SA or Wine Australia.