Winemakers harvest fruit of long drought

Need a drink to get over the effects of Northland's long drought?

While the big dry has farmers and horticulturists crying on to their parched paddocks and fields, the drought has led to a record early harvest at Whangarei vineyard Longview Estate.

And it could lead to a  good vintage this year for the estate's wines.

Longview spokeswoman Barbara Vuletich said the popular White Diamond variety are the first grapes harvested, normally in March, but this year's crop should be off the vines by today.

"The earliest we had ever harvested in the more than 30 years we've had the winery was about February 25-27, so this is the earliest we have ever done it," Ms Vuletich said.

 Less rain meant the grapes would be packed with higher sugar and flavour concentrations, which should make it a good vintage.

Ms Vuletich said she would not know for sure till the grapes were in the vat, possibly tonight, if it would be a good vintage.

The wine will be bottled and ready to drink earlier than expected - possibly by the beginning of May rather than the late May to June it is normally out - so the drought had some positives, she said.

"It's taken us by surprise, really.

"We thought we'd go down to have a look at the [White Diamond] grapes last week to check them then realised we would have to pick them a lot sooner than we thought," she said.

This meant hastily arranging pickers and cold storage at the Otaika winery.

Longview will start picking its other varieties in the next few weeks, again, far earlier than normal.

"When the farmers are complaining there's no rain we are happy because no rain increases the sugar content and flavours [in grapes]," Ms Vuletich said.

  "But when the farmers are happy with the amount of rain we're complaining ... it's always best to share it around."