Winegrowers bubble over as bumper crop comes in

The cold, early summer gave way to great weather, and the grapes responded well

Winegrowers say they have good cause for feeling bubbly about this year's bumper harvest.

The early ripening pinot noir cultivar is now being harvested.

Allied Domecq's Twin Rivers vineyard at Pakowhai, Hawkes Bay, is among the first grapes to be cropped, and will be used for making methode traditionelle wine.

Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay's biggest variety, is a couple of weeks away from harvest, and other varieties will take the vintage through to the end of next month when the last of the cabernet sauvignon is brought in.

Alwyn Corban, at Ngatarawa Wines, said recent sunshine had put the vintage back on schedule in Hawkes Bay. Six weeks ago it was running 10 days behind, a result of a cool period at the end of November and throughout December. With sugar and acid levels in balance, the crop was looking very good, Mr Corban said.

Esk Valley Estate winemaker Gordon Russell was even more optimistic. Not since the great vintage of 1998 had he been as confident of such a good harvest, he said.

Grape grower Mal McLennan agreed the crop was generally where it should be.

"There is very little disease pressure and everyone is up-to-date with their work."

Although the merlot yield would be a little down because of cool weather at flowering, the reds were ripening nicely.

"Last year we had a bit of a problem getting acids out of them. This year they are more in balance," Mr McLennan said.

Allied Domecq's regional vineyards manager, Gary Wood, said the good vintage was a result of "fantastic weather".

The wine giant's harvest report said the company's Bay yield could be slightly lower than last year, but the quality was excellent.

"We've had warm nights, which helps bring the acid levels in the grapes down," chief winemaker Jeff Clarke said, "which is especially good for our red wines."

He was especially excited about the quality of sauvignon blanc grapes coming from new plantings in the Ngatarawa area.

As young vineyards mature and vines bounce back from previous frostings, Hawkes Bay can expect a record harvest of about 35,000 tonnes.

With growers aiming for quality, a bumper yield will not compromise the excellence of the fruit. Nationally, however, the crop size will be down.

- NZPA