The 2026 vintage will be remembered as a cool, long growing season that has produced wines of exceptional quality, elegance and refinement.

It was the latest harvest since 2004, with our final fruit picked in the first week of May. The season began cool and wet before settling into two weeks of temperatures in the mid-20s, providing ideal conditions for slow, even ripening.

With rain threatening throughout harvest, careful picking decisions were critical. Patience and precision in the vineyard have been rewarded with an outstanding range of wines that truly reflect the season.

The standout varieties are Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The extended, cool ripening period has given the Chardonnay remarkable minerality, vibrant freshness, and beautifully balanced natural acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon once again demonstrated why it is the king of Coonawarra. Despite the challenges presented by the season, the results are exceptional.

The 2026 Cabernet wines display elegance, purity and complexity, with structure and finesse reminiscent of the classic clarets that established Coonawarra’s international reputation.

Maddie LeMire

Winemaker – Balnaves of Coonawarra, July 2026