With the start of New Zealand’s wine harvest just a few weeks away, reports are emerging of “close to ideal” quality, but substantially smaller volumes nationwide. A reduced yield for the 2024 harvest had to be expected, given the widespread damage caused to New Zealand vineyards when Cyclone Gabrielle struck the country’s North Island in February 2023. An estimated NZ$13.5 billion (US$8.42 billion) worth of damage was reported and around 20,000 tonnes of grapes lost. Although there has already been one harvest (2023) since Gabrielle hit, the destruction caused to vines and vineyard infrastructure is not something that could be quickly, easily or completely rectified. Despite this, wine producers have “a real sense of anticipation this year,” according to Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers. And it would seem that another weather phenomenon is helping to even out the scales. “El Niño traditionally delivers lots of warmth and sunshine in our winegrowing regions, and it has certainly been the case this season,” says Gregan, leading to conditions that have been “close to ideal” for grapes. “All the reports we are receiving suggest that ripening is progressing well, and disease pressure is low. With the grapes in excellent condition, it seems we are heading towards another quality New Zealand wine vintage,” he adds. Lighter yield While quality is expected to be high, wine volumes will not reach anywhere close to last year. “Nationally we expect the 2024 harvest to be down on the last two years, perhaps significantly so,” says Gregan.
This Article was originally published on The Drink Business - Wine
