Harvest late but faith in quality

Marlborough wineries and harvesters are running around the clock as the 2012 vintage has finally kicked off.

Winemakers and growers are breathing a sigh of relief after a week of sunshine, and are hoping the settled weather continues for the next three weeks.

Saint Clair Family Estate owner Neil Ibbotson said harvest was in full swing, and he was confident the extended season would produce some excellent wines.

"We've had seasons like this before and we always get there in the end – the slow ripening means we will retain great flavours."

Yesterday they were harvesting pinot noir and chardonnay grapes from the Ure Valley, south of the Blenheim, and the upper Waihopai Valley, and sauvignon blanc grapes from Spring Creek.

The sugar levels of the harvested sauvignon blanc grapes were at 22 brix, while some blocks were still as low as 17, and needed another two or three weeks until they had fully ripened, he said.

"The Awatere Valley and land close to the sea tend to be cooler and always run two to three weeks behind," he said.

Yields were significantly down compared with last year, because of the very cool flowering, but the quality was looking exceptional, he said.

"In the short term, wineries and growers will suffer financially, but in the long term the market will recover and the price of wine will lift, and grapes will follow. It's been a long time coming."

At Clark Estate in the Awatere Valley winemaker Simon Clark said they picked their first pinot gris and sauvignon blanc grapes on Saturday night. "We've finally got going, and will continue for the next two weeks.

"Our last pick will be one of the latest ever, after Anzac day. The weather has been amazing, a month ago we were wondering if we were going to get there at all.

"The acids have dropped in the last few days, but they will be prominent this vintage and will produce that Marlborough zing, which is absolutely ideal."

Herzog Winery owner Therese Herzog said they started to harvest three weeks ago and had already picked gewurztraminer, pinot noir, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc grapes. "We are very different, we only have small parcels and very low yield, so it ripens much faster," she said.

Dog Point Wines owner Ivan Sutherland said after the best Easter weather in a decade, they harvested pinot noir and chardonnay fruit last week.

"The weather's come right and the brix levels have come right up in the last few days. If we get another three weeks of this, it will be a very rewarding vintage for Marlborough," he said.