Hunter wine grape harvest begins

 The first fruit is off the vines at the start of this year's Hunter Valley wine grape harvest.

Vignerons are now hoping the perfect ripening conditions of this season can continue until the harvest is completed in March.

The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association's chairman, Geoff Kreiger, says the initial stage of picking is focused on the white grape varieties.

"We've got chardonnay and some semillon for sparkling base coming off over the last few days and going forward there will be more," he said.

"You'll see a hive of activity around the Hunter Valley if you're out and about, and it's looking absolutely superb."