The Great Lavaux Hailstorm of July 2005

On the 18th July 2005, a catastrophic hailstorm hit the vineyards of the Lavaux district, with devastating effects to a significant percentage of the vines. The worst of the damage was to the vineyards of St. Saphorin, but also affected were Chardonne, Corseaux, and some other nearby wine villages. Many growers have simply not bothered trying to make their full ranges of wine in 2005 as the damage was so serious, whilst others have soldiered on and have made much-reduced quantities where there were sufficient undamaged vines. Some growers are buying grapes from elsewhere in the region and are making a substitute wine (not carrying the normal AOC) in 2005.The net effect is that a much-reduced quantity of 2005 vintage wines from AOC St. Saphorin, Chardonne, and Corseaux will be available. Where it is sold, inevitably scarcity means that prices will rise. This effect is being seen also for earlier vintages, where demand has increased due to the lack of a normal 2005 crop.

What have we done? To ensure ongoing availability for our customers, we have bought additional supplies of the excellent 2004 wines as these are still generally available, albeit at slightly higher prices. Some growers, such as Bovard, would not in any case release their 2005 wines this year, so the effects on their ranges will not be seen just yet. Whether we will offer any 2005 wines from the affected communes in 2006 remains to be seen, although it seems unlikely as I write this in March 2006.