KEY POINTS:
The 2008 New Zealand grape harvest under way is expected to produce a high-quality record-volume crop of between 225,000 and 245,000 tonnes.
New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive officer Philip Gregan said the increased vintage would be welcomed by wineries.
The first grapes of the season were picked two weeks ago in Gisborne and the harvest would continue through until at least mid-May.
"In 2007 New Zealand wine exports grew strongly - they were up 24 per cent in value to $761 million and 30 per cent in volume to 84 million litres," he said.
Despite this many leading wineries were now experiencing supply constraints with key varieties and they were eagerly looking forward to a larger vintage.
In January, Majestic Wine Plc Britain's largest wine warehouse chain, credited a "tremendous enthusiasm" for New Zealand wines, in part, for a 4.1 per cent rise in pre-Christmas sales.
The increased supply would drive further export growth in the year ahead, toward a forecast $1 billion in 2010.
"Our forecast for a 2008 vintage of between 225,000 and 245,000 tonnes, up from 205,000 tonnes last year, is in line with our long-term expectations," Mr Gregan said.
The increased harvest is the result of a larger producing area - up 2000 hectares from 2007 to 27,000ha - combined with a return to more normal yields in a number of regions after a cool flowering lowered the 2007 crops.
New Zealand produces less than 0.5 per cent of global wine output and about 1 per cent of world exports, but is regarded as a world leader in sauvignon blanc and pinot noir wines.
The number of New Zealand wine makers has doubled to more than 500 over the past decade, many of which are small boutique producers.
Production is dominated by Montana and Corbans, units of France's Pernod Ricard while the world's largest winemaker Constellation Brands owns the Nobilo brand. The largest local listed producer is Delegat's Group.
The weather leading into the harvest has helped the current vintage.
"The grapes have benefited from the prolonged period of dry weather over the summer, and at this stage the prospects for a high quality vintage appear very good," Mr Gregan said.
But there was three months of picking before all the grapes were harvested.
"Until then we will be hoping for a continuation of the favourable weather so that the vintage delivers on its early promise," Mr Gregan said.
- NZPA
