Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of a McLaren Vale Winemaker

The role of a winemaker combines art, science, and hard work. While many imagine a romantic life of tasting wine and walking through vineyards, the reality involves early mornings, complex decisions, and constant attention to detail. Let's follow a typical day through the seasons in the life of a McLaren Vale winemaker.

Harvest Season (February-March)

Early Morning (4:30 AM - 8:00 AM)

The day begins well before sunrise. Our winemaker starts by:

The first task is checking weather data and grape chemistry results from the previous day. Temperature, humidity, and predicted conditions will determine the day's picking schedule. The picking teams are already assembling, and the winemaker must decide which blocks to harvest based on sugar levels, acid balance, and phenolic ripeness.

In the winery, the crushing pad springs to life as the first bins of hand-picked fruit arrive. The winemaker tastes berries from each batch, checking for:

• Flavor development
• Seed ripeness
• Skin condition
• Juice color
• Potential alcohol

Mid-Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

As the sun climbs higher, attention turns to the newly crushed fruit and fermenting wines. Each ferment requires checking and decisions:

• Temperature adjustments
• Cap management
• Pump-over schedules
• Yeast health monitoring
• Extraction assessment

The winemaker moves between tanks, tasting each ferment and making detailed notes. Every batch tells a story through its numbers:

• Baume readings
• Temperature
• Color extraction
• Tannin development
• Fermentation health

Afternoon (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

The afternoon brings laboratory work and decision-making:

• Analysis of juice samples
• pH and acid adjustments
• Fermentation monitoring
• Tank space management
• Press scheduling

Team meetings discuss the progress of each batch and plan tomorrow's operations. The winemaker coordinates with:

• Vineyard managers
• Cellar hands
• Lab technicians
• Equipment operators
• Transport coordinators

Winter Season (June-August)

Morning Activities

Winter mornings focus on wine maturation and maintenance:

• Barrel inspections
• Topping up wines
• Malolactic monitoring
• Sulfur dioxide checks
• Blend trials

The winemaker spends time in the barrel hall, where the previous vintage slowly matures. Each barrel requires attention:

• Tasting for development
• Checking for faults
• Topping levels
• Oak integration
• Cleanliness assessment

Afternoon Tasks

Winter afternoons often involve:

• Blend trials
• Team training
• Equipment maintenance
• Vintage planning
• Sales support

Spring Season (September-November)

Morning Focus

Spring brings vineyard activity back into focus:

• Bud burst monitoring
• Frost protection
• Disease prevention
• Canopy management
• Growth assessment

The winemaker works closely with vineyard managers to plan:

• Spray programs
• Pruning strategies
• Irrigation schedules
• Crop estimates
• Labour requirements

Afternoon Duties

Spring afternoons include:

• Wine club selections
• Marketing support
• Bottle preparation
• Label compliance
• Export documentation

Summer Season (December-January)

Morning Activities

Summer mornings revolve around vineyard maturity:

• Berry sampling
• Acid testing
• Sugar monitoring
• Flavor assessment
• Harvest planning

The winemaker walks the vineyards, checking:

• Fruit development
• Disease pressure
• Water stress
• Canopy condition
• Bird pressure

Afternoon Requirements

Summer afternoons involve:

• Equipment preparation
• Team coordination
• Vintage planning
• Chemical inventory
• Tank preparation

Year-Round Responsibilities

Quality Control

Constant attention to:

• Wine development
• Fault prevention
• Style consistency
• Brand standards
• Technical accuracy

Team Management

Leadership requirements include:

• Staff training
• Work scheduling
• Safety compliance
• Problem solving
• Motivation

Business Development

Commercial aspects involve:

• Budget management
• Resource allocation
• Strategic planning
• Market awareness
• Brand development

The Modern Winemaker

Today's winemaker must balance:

• Traditional knowledge
• Modern technology
• Environmental concerns
• Market demands
• Team leadership

The role requires expertise in:

• Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Viticulture
• Business
• Marketing

Understanding a winemaker's day helps appreciate the complexity behind every bottle. It's a profession that demands technical skill, artistic sensitivity, and unwavering dedication to quality.