Horror harvest for Victorian wineries

Wine grape growers in Victoria are reporting losses of 20 to 50 per cent of their crops because of disease and disasters.

Heavy rain, hail and widespread cases of sour rot and botrytis mean many growers are leaving grapes to rot on the vine.

Chairman of the Victorian Wine Industry Association, Chris Pfeiffer, says growers haven't recovered from drought and such a bad year will force some to leave the industry.

"I think there is a good chance we will see more people in exodus. We certainly did over the last two years see a number of people exit the industry," he said.

"I would expect that this year this might be the catalyst to get a few others to leave the industry."