Wine - 2010 harvest update

If I had to use just one word to encapsulate the feelings of wine growers and wine makers around the country over the 2010 grape harvest it would ‘happy’. Summer, although later than expected and cooler in some areas, has delivered up some spectacular results.  By Cameron Douglas MS

While quality seems to be high, quantity across the country ranges from average to lighter than 2009. This is a good message for both producers and drinkers as there has been the need for some leveling out in the industry and sadly a few casualties along the way.

Auckland

Paul Brajkovich of Kumeu River Wines said the harvest for them began early March with the single vineyard grapes coming in first. 

“The Mates looks fantastic and the quality in general is very high”.

Several of the vineyards did suffer Spring frost damage earlier in the season and that the quantity of the harvest was overall down by around 30%. This has meant three to four hundred cases fewer of their flagship Mates but, again, what there is will be of very high quality. At the time of writing they were still in harvest mode with some Chardonnay fruit still to come in and the merlot will be on the vine for a week or two yet. There was no disease pressure on the Merlot so all up things are looking pretty smart for 2010 West Auckland.

East Coast

When I spoke with Annie Millton (Millton Wines) on March 22 the harvest is well underway for the Gisborne region. Pinot Noir picking began a week before and finished today (March 22). The bunches handled were in very good condition and are the Millton’s are very happy with acid levels and flavor concentration. Birds remain the biggest threat to fruit unpicked and netting has proved very good at keeping them out.

Volume wise the season is looking okay; Chenin Blanc for example is looking good, but around 50% grape thinning took place before harvest to ensure maximum vine energy was put into the remaining fruit. Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris are looking good and all the Muscat (for the Muscats at dawn) is also in very good condition. January was pretty wet for Gisborne and there have been some reports of disease pressure, but this is producer specific so for a more detailed look at harvest conditions in Gisborne it would be best to contact individual producers.

Hawke's Bay had begun some harvesting of Pinot Gris and other aromatics and with reports of some disease pressure, mainly botrytis, in some instances and mainly Chardonnay the most widely affected. Good triage practices in the winery will take care of culling out poor fruit.

Rain in January and a cooler start to the summer played a noticeable role, but the vintage enjoyed some really great weather which has evened out the season. Harvest in earnest was planned for the beginning of April. At the time of writing the Triangle area, where the Gimblett Gravels is located, had not begun any picking.

Wairarapa

Having spent a weekend in Masterton for the 2010 wine festival I can tell you that the harvest won’t start until mid April. The brix levels were just not there yet. The quality, however, was looking very smart indeed. I wandered around many vineyards including Urlar and Borthwick – the fruit is looking good – no evidence of disease and while the birds are trying their level best to break through the nets everything appeared to be on track and wineries are all prepped ready to receive fruit. Great festival - by the way.

North Canterbury - Waipara

I spoke with Lynette from Pegasus Bay wines -  her reflections on the 2010 vintage were all positive. They experienced similar conditions and volume expectations to the 2006 vintage and while they are not planning on any picking till after Easter - April 12, they are very pleased

Marlborough/Nelson

Marlborough is set to harvest some great fruit and while volumes are slightly lower this year most producers I have spoken with are looking forward to working with high grade fruit and making some impressive wines.

For the crews in Nelson they expect to start harvest late March. The fruit looked excellent according to Judy Finn (Neudorf Wines) although a smaller than usual crop. I was also in the Nelson region in January and I saw some great fruit – tight bunches, healthy vine and no disease pressure. Mother nature is the only one who can make a significant impact now. The weather is changing so I had my fingers crossed for the South Island vintners over the next two weeks.

Otago

Central Otago was not likely to be affected by weather patterns threatening the south island towards the harvest. According to Blair Walter (Felton Road Wines), Otago was due to start harvesting just before Easter. He said at the time that they experienced 5mm of rain on March 21 and that it has little to no impact in their area. He was very pleased with fruit condition - in fact he said “fantastic”, and crop levels are all about average for them. 

The proof of course will be when I get to try some barrel and tank samples around October for whites and sometime in 2011 for the reds.

Autumn 2010

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