VINTAGE PREVIEW
AUCKLAND A cold frost which plummeted temperatures in some parts of West Auckland to minus 4 Celcius looks to have wiped out about 20 per cent of Kumeu River Wines’ harvest this year. At the time of writing in mid January, it was too early to say for sure but the vintage would be significantly reduced, says the
family-run winery’s viticulturist, Milan Brajkovich. “Due to the early frost in September, we flew two helicopters because it was a big one; on average we’d use choppers once every three years but this was a pretty bad one. We had a big southerly come through, which blew up a whole lot of
cold air from the deep south and there was no inversion layer for the helicopters to work with, so it
caused the problem.” This means the vintage is likely to be a week, possible two weeks, late this year. And in terms of quality? Brajkovich says it’s looking good – “A small crop always helps but we never like to talk about that until the fruit is in the winery”.
years which has seen some grim times, this year is looking a lot more positive.” James Millton of Millton Vineyard & Winery agreed flowering conditions had been “fantastic” apart from some late frost in November. “The flowers seem to have settled with little shatter, and the dry
weather with intermittent rain has been very sustainable for the vineyard and sward.” While there was still a long way to go, based on early indications Millton believed this vintage could deliver some good quality wine at affordable prices. It may also help growers bounce back after a difficult run last year. “With a bad vintage like 2012, very few wineries of our size have been able to put aside any reserves to tide them over from a bad vintage. In 2013, we need the best conditions and best quality to continue in a sustainable fashion.”
GISBORNE After two challenging vintages, Gisborne grape growers are optimistic 2013 will deliver some wonderful wines thanks to favourable weather thus far. Gisborne Winegrowers Society president Doug Bell said while it had been one of the colder flowering seasons the region had seen in a while, there were only a few minor frost events that had any impact. “Flowering was good weather
throughout; we think the cooler weather in that period has seen some hen and chickens in bunches which can reduce the weight. In general I would describe the weather as being very kind, returning a typical Gisborne summer with lovely hot days and cool nights,” he said. “There has been rain periodically which was worthwhile . . . I would say most farmers would be pretty happy. Given the last three
WAIHEKE ISLAND Waiheke Island’s Stonyridge Vineyard had the driest December ever and 12 days over 30 degrees as at 11 January, said Stephen White, who has been winemaking on the island since 1985; his first harvest. “That’s triple the average number of days over 30 degrees that we usually get. Early on there were some periods of sustained misty light rain, so there was a bit of disease pressure, but that’s all gone now and we’re out the other side of it.” Cropping levels looked relatively light on the island, but it was too early to tell how harvest dates are looking. “So far it’s looking great but it can all go wrong next week and the weather never holds. If it carries on like this we’ll be extremely happy, and our vineyards are in great shape, so we’re just hoping it holds hot and dry.” The average vine age at Stonyridge is 18 to 20 years.
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NZ WINEGROWER FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013