
With many wine regions suffering from low yields in vintage 2021, the good growing season for the upcoming harvest has been welcomed with open arms. It comes with plenty of challenges, including the labour shortages looming large and ever present Covid-19 risks, but collaboration, determination and innovation are hard at work in New Zealand vineyards.
A warm and settled autumn has given way to winter.
Central Otago had "a tricky little vintage", says James Dicey of Grape Vision.
Finding excellent crops on Greystone's hillside vineyards was "great, but also gutting", says winemaker Dom Maxwell.
Nelson was dealt a significantly low fruit set and crop this year, says Andrew Greenhough, with yields of Greenhough Vineyards' home block down by 30 to 40 percent.
Brian Bicknell is carfully watching the shifting landscapes of hospitality around the world, hoping to gauge the strength of Mahi's markets.
The 2021 harvest was the latest in a run of kind harvests for Gisborne, says Matawhero owner Kirsten Searle.
Dry River Wines has always been aptly named, but is especially so now, says Winemaker Wilco Lam, with vintage 2021 highlighting the industry's dire need for drought tolerant rootstocks.
“It's been an excellent harvest for us in Hawke’s Bay,” says Te Awa winemaker Richard Painter, at Villa Maria’s winery on the Gimblett Gravels.
A very early harvest paired with a very slow shipping schedule caught Auckland Winemaker Peter Turner on the hop this vintage.
An unusual and unsettled summer has been the theme for many of the growing regions across New Zealand.
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