Over the past few months, we have been sharing updates from the vineyard as the 2026 season unfolded — from A First Glimpse at the 2026 Vintage through to Harvest in Full Swing: An Update on the Promising 2026 Vintage. Now, with the final grapes picked and processed, the 2026 vintage has officially come to a close.
The last fruit has been harvested, pressed and carefully tucked away in the winery, bringing one of the most exciting harvests we have seen in a decade to completion.
After months of watching the season unfold, it is immensely satisfying to hear our Vigneron, Stephen Drayton, describe the outcome simply: “2026 has delivered the best harvest Ivanhoe has experienced in the past ten years.” Conditions throughout the growing season were exceptionally favourable, producing fruit of outstanding quality across both our white and red varieties.
But while the rush of harvest may be over, the work in both the winery and the vineyard is far from finished. In many ways, this is where the next chapter begins.
In the Winery: The Wines Begin Their Journey
With harvest now complete, the focus inside the winery shifts from picking and processing fruit to nurturing the wines as they begin their maturation.
Our red wines have completed fermentation and have now been pressed, with the young wines transferred into French oak barrels where they will slowly mature. This time in oak allows the wines to soften, gain complexity and begin developing the structure and character that will define them when they are eventually released.
For the whites, the process is a little different. They are currently resting in tank where they are undergoing cold and hot stabilisation and filtration, ensuring clarity, stability and purity of flavour. Once this process is complete, they will be ready for bottling in approximately six to eight weeks, marking the next milestone in their journey from vineyard to glass.
Back in the Vineyard: Preparing for 2027
While the winery team carefully watches over the wines of 2026, attention in the vineyard quickly turns toward the future.
Even though the fruit has been picked, the vines continue working hard. The leaves remain active and continue to photosynthesise, building energy reserves within the vine. These reserves are essential, helping to lay the foundations for the 2027 vintage.
For this reason, one of the key tasks at this time of year is canopy management. The aim is to keep the leaves healthy and on the vine for as long as possible, ensuring they do not fall prematurely. The longer they remain active, the more nutrients the vines can store to support strong growth and fruit development next season.
As autumn progresses, the vineyard gradually begins to change. Leaf fall typically begins around mid to late April, signalling the vines’ transition into dormancy.
Pruning Season Begins
By mid to late May, attention shifts to one of the most important jobs of the vineyard year – pruning.
Pruning involves removing the growth from the previous season using a two-cane pruning system, carefully selecting the canes that will produce the next year’s crop. It is also an opportunity to remove any dormant disease within the vine and ensure that the canopy remains balanced and manageable for the following growing season.
While it may appear simple, pruning is a highly skilled process that plays a critical role in determining both the yield and quality of the next vintage.
The Ongoing Work of the Vineyard
Beyond canopy management and pruning, there is also plenty of general vineyard maintenance taking place.
Autumn is the time for managing grass growth through slashing and cultivation, as well as repairing the infrastructure that keeps the vineyard running smoothly. Irrigation systems are checked and repaired where needed, and any damaged posts or trellising are replaced to ensure the vineyard is ready for the next cycle of growth.
These quieter months may not have the excitement of harvest, but they are just as important. Every task undertaken now contributes to the health of the vineyard and the quality of the wines yet to come.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 vintage will be remembered as a standout year at Ivanhoe Wines. With exceptional fruit quality and ideal conditions throughout the season, we are incredibly excited about the wines currently maturing in the winery.
At the same time, the vineyard team is already hard at work preparing for what lies ahead. Because in wine, every vintage is shaped not only by the season that produced it, but by the care and attention that follows.
And while the wines of 2026 continue their journey, the groundwork for the 2027 vintage is already underway among the vines.
Visit Ivanhoe While the Vines Are Still Green
If you are planning a visit to the Hunter Valley over the coming weeks, this is one of the most beautiful times of year to experience Ivanhoe Wines.
The vines are still lush with green leaves, the days remain warm, and the sweeping views across the vineyard are particularly special as the season gently transitions toward autumn. It is the perfect time to slow down, take in the scenery, and enjoy a tasting of our wines while looking out over the very vines that produced this exceptional 2026 vintage.
Our Cellar Door team would love to welcome you for a relaxed tasting experience where you can explore our range of wines and learn more about the season that has just been completed.
If you are visiting the Hunter Valley, we encourage you to book ahead to secure your tasting.
We look forward to welcoming you to Ivanhoe soon.