Grape expectations

For Gillian Sutherland, the annual grape harvest is a celebration of wine and a chance for her to learn more about the winemaking process that happens far away from her home in California.

The winemaker is one of hundreds of overseas visitors who come to Marlborough to work during the annual grape harvest, to learn the trade and gain experience.

Several hundred celebrated the start of the harvest by attending the inaugural Framingham Harvest Concert, held near Renwick, on Friday.

Miss Sutherland, from San Francisco, came for her first Marlborough harvest in 2007 and decided to return again this year, this time with her Kiwi boyfriend.

In the United States, New Zealand was establishing a good reputation for its quality wine, in particular Marlborough sauvignon blanc, she said.

This year she will be part of the Sugar Loaf Wines vintage team, working in Rapaura Rd.

Miss Sutherland believed part of learning how to be a good winemaker was gaining knowledge from different winemaking regions around the world.

For many Californian winemakers, a vintage in Marlborough was a "rite of passage" because of its good wine and beautiful landscape, she said.

Also in Marlborough to work for the harvest were French couple Johanna Philouze and Jules Pithon, who were employed at Fromm Winery .

Marlborough sauvignon was a nice change for them and they found it "fruity and light".

David and Yvonne Learmonth, from Auckland, were in Blenheim for a holiday and decided to attend the concert. Both said the venue was fantastic and they were enjoying relaxing and sampling Framingham wines.

The annual harvest means non-stop processing of grapes for about two months. Several wineries have already started harvesting and the rest are expected to begin in the next couple of weeks.