Heat shrivels wine grapes

WIMMERA grape vines are withering in 40-plus temperatures.

There is little vignerons can do as they watch hot days diminish vine health.

Montara winemaker Leigh Clarnette said the Ararat vineyard was suffering.

"The vines are going to suffer without a doubt," Mr Clarnette said.

"The leaves are crinkling, there will be fruit losses."

Mr Clarnette said harvest was six weeks away.

He said the heatwave would stop fruit development.

"The heat makes the vineyard stand still," he said.

Mr Clarnette said the leaves were losing their green colouring and turning brown.

"If the leaves are green and healthy they're making glucose and fructose for the berries. When we lose them, we lose that power on the vine to deliver."

Norton Estate Wines owner Don Spence said there was little he could do for his vines in the conditions.

"You've got to run with the weather and see what you can do to take remedies when the actual heatwave terminates. It's just one of the things you've got to live with," he said.

Mr Spence said before the heatwave the vines were in good condition, holding much promise.

"There will undoubtedly be some drying and shrivelling. It's not a good year but it's not totally disastrous," he said.

Kimbarra Wines owner Peter Leeke said the Great Western vineyard's grape vines had switched into survival mode.

"When the temperature reaches about 40 degrees they turn off to protect themselves. It's not good, put it that way," he said.

Mr Leeke said he was watering vines with the little water available.

He was hopeful the hot weather would not affect fruit.