Volcanic Wine Awards | The Jancis Robinson Story | Mission Blind Tasting

Diary of a Barossa vintage casual – part 5

Basket press drained at a Baross Valley winery 2020

The coronavirus has had its effect on the team in Samantha Cole-Johnson’s now-busy winery.

Harvest is in full swing, all the fermenters are full, and we are even fermenting in picking bins because we don’t have enough small fermenters (more on this in a bit). This would usually be a very happy, exhausting time. It still is to an extent. We’re very lucky to be working and busy. 

Fermenting the 2020 Barossa Valley harvest in picking bins

But the panic and stress around COVID-19 is nonetheless real for us, and changes by the day. One of our casuals left today, another will leave us on Tuesday, mid harvest, because...

Become a member or log in to continue reading
Member
$135
/year
Save over 15% annually
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
  • Access 294,770 wine reviews & 16,081 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
 
Ideal for collectors
  • Access 294,770 wine reviews & 16,081 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
  • Access 294,770 wine reviews & 16,081 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
  • Access 294,770 wine reviews & 16,081 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Pay with
Visa logo Mastercard logo American Express logo Logo for more payment options
Join our newsletter

Get the latest from Jancis and her team of leading wine experts.

By subscribing you agree with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.

More Inside information

Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon
Inside information Tim Hall discusses market trends, climate challenges and punk with Champagne Louis Roederer’s vice-president and chef de caves. See also...
2025 harvest at Ch Montrose
Inside information A happy surprise after a hot and fast growing season. Above, harvest at Château Montrose in St-Estèphe on 18 September...
A bottle and glass of sweet Madeira surrounded by tropical fruits
Inside information The final instalment of an eight-part series on how to pair wine with Asian flavours, adapted from Richard’s book. Click...
Domaine de Vassal vine collection; photo by Louise Hurren
Inside information Under threat from the rising Mediterranean, Domaine de Vassal’s internationally renowned vinous heritage is finally being relocated, Louise Hurren reports...

More from JancisRobinson.com

female urban hands each holding a glass of wine - Shutterstock
Free for all Pauline Vicard asks, can wine still justify its cultural relevance? The answer to this question, rather than economics, may become...
Thomas Walk Vineyard in Kinsale
Free for all Jancis is put in her place, by the hybrid grapes of the Emerald Isle. A shorter version of this article...
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier bottle and glass of wine outdoors, on table with books
Wines of the week A summer-ready, silky white wine that’s widely available from just $8.99, £20.90 . The sleeper hit of Napa winery Pine...
Split Rail vineyard
Tasting articles Part 4 of an exploration of California’s westernmost vineyards. Above, the Split Rail vineyard in Corralitos (credit: John Benedetti)...
Fernando Mora MW and Mario López of Bodegas Frontonio
Tasting articles A close look at three of Zaragoza’s most important projects. Above, Fernando Mora MW (left) and Mario López of Bodegas...
Ungrafted monastrell vines in Jumilla
Free for all 4 June 2026 In advance of the 2026 Old Vine Conference on 8 June, we’re republishing this overview of our...
Acered vineyard
Tasting articles To celebrate Aragón’s new map in the upcoming World Atlas of Wine , Ferran explores the wines of Zaragoza. Above...
Alexandre Delétraz's (Cave des Amandiers) vineyards in Valais @ Leif Carlsson
Tasting articles Red, white, young, old – there’s no shortage of diversity or deliciousness available in Swiss wines. You just need to...
Wine inspiration delivered directly to your inbox, weekly
Our weekly newsletter is free for all
By subscribing you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.