Less grape planting predicted
The economic crunch may force Wairarapa winemakers to cut back on new plantings next year.
John Bell, chairman of Wellington Regional Winegrowers Association, expected new plantings in the region to "slow down" in the face of the recession.
New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan also believes there would be little planting next year.
Mr Gregan said that in tight economic times people still drank wine but they tended to go for something cheaper.
However, Mr Gregan said winemakers should not start heading downmarket.
Mr Bell said as the economic climate is tougher, local wineries were concentrating on producing and selling "top-quality wines".
"We are all working a bit harder, ensuring that we have quality wine and spending more time with our customers and gaining new markets and distribution channels."
The country this year had a record grape harvest of 285,000 tonnes and Wairarapa enjoyed a "good-sized" vintage after smaller ones in 2007 and 2006, he said.
However, too much sauvignon blanc from Marlborough helped cause a national over-supply of wine.
Mr Bell said there had been rumours of over-cropping in Marlborough an issue not faced by Wairarapa's wineries.
"Martinborough and Wairarapa's excellent reputation comes from low-cropping, cool-climate wines.
"Typically, because of our weather and soil conditions, we do not have over-cropping with our premium grapes."
Mr Bell said surplus Sauvignon Blanc would make "that segment of the market more competitive".
"The marketplace is very competitive, with many new small brands appearing on the market, and the continuing dominance of supermarket wine sales at very low prices.
"However, these conditions have been with us for some time now, and the quality wines still have a market."
Cellar door sales in the region continue to grow and cater for both local and overseas visitors, he said.
"Being close to Wellington is an obvious boon for this business.
"In addition, there is more effort going into export opportunities, and Martinborough and Wairarapa are well represented in marketing events in Asia, UK, Canada and the USA. We hear of new sales in diverse countries in the EU and India."
He said apart from sauvignon blanc, Wairarapa wineries would not be clearing their 2008 vintages to make way for next year's stock, as the regions wine is sold over many years, "providing people the opportunity to buy aged-quality wines".