MODERATE weather conditions and a year without fires or floods has been welcomed by grape growers across the region, including Glenrowan.
As in the King Valley, picking started a little earlier this year, and the main challenge was managing harvest with multiple varieties ripening around the same time.
At Bailey's of Glenrowan, chief winemaker Paul Dahlenburg said they were at the tail end of a quite compressed vintage, compared to last year when it was spread over a longer period.
He said they were finishing the last of the reds and expected to be wrapped up by Anzac Day, when they might have normally run into May.
"A lot of the whites and reds were ready at the same time so we had to juggle the intake," Mr Dahlenburg said.
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"In terms of weather and disease pressure it was an easy vintage - it was just that there were such good growing conditions, the fruit tended to ripen at the same time."
Mr Dahlenburg said Bailey's appreciated having enough staff on hand to manage the intake, many who had returned from last year, making up an experienced crew.
He said varieties including shiraz were very strong this year, as were durif, muscat and tokay, with volumes meeting the figures initially forecast.
At Morrisons of Glenrowan, winemaker Bob Morrison said it was one of the best vintages they've ever had.
He said while spraying was required at the end 2023 to prevent disease, a perfect change of weather came at the right time, with a dry break between February and late March allowing just enough time for all their grapes to ripen and be picked, before it rained again.
"With cool nights and warm days, it turned out to be an ideal season," he said.
"All our varieties which suit this area have come out well, including shiraz, durif, tempranillo and primitivo."
Mr Morrison explained the location of the vineyards and their topography - on the side of Mount Glenrowan - meant they had good drainage and didn't suffer from wet ground, so it was always accessible in a tractor for spraying if required.
He said good morning sun and light breezes proved ideal conditions for the fruit, which resident kangaroos had enjoyed the taste of too, although not enough to be a serious problem.
