Fears that Cyclone Lusi would devastate all the hard work undertaken by growers and wineries, with a weekend of mayhem, rain and wind, didn’t thankfully come to fruition. Yes there was rainfall in all the major wine growing regions, apart from Central Otago, but thankfully it wasn’t as much as anyone expected. And most tended to fall in the hills, not affecting the crops as had been predicted.
Most regions are talking up the vintage at this stage, given the growing conditions for the past few months (apart from Lusi) have been favourable. And thankfully after emptying tanks, it looks like there will be plenty of 2014 to go around. Our exports markets will be pleased to hear that.
All eyes will be on Marlborough, given the crop levels are described as “bumper” by growers and wineries alike. What happens in this region, impacts on everyone else, due to its sheer size. The good news though for all of the New Zealand wine industry, is the hard work that has been undertaken in the vineyards this season.
Mechanical thinning has come to the fore, with more than 2500 hectares thinned this way. On top of that growers have been kept busy hand thinning, with many dropping more than 30 percent of their crop. While all agree it was vital to drop crop for quality reasons, it has been heart breaking for many to see so much lying on the ground.
As the grower who sent me this photo exclaimed – “Paying someone to thin, is like paying someone to pick your pocket.” A sentiment any grower can relate to.
After the 2008/09 over supply, many people throughout the wine industry lambasted the Marlborough region, for allowing the crop levels to get to such a high. It was common to hear derogatory comments about the growers being greedy.
Well that can’t be said this year. Between mechanical thinning and hand thinning, (the photo below is hand thinned after a mechanical thin), the yields have dropped considerably. Yes they will be higher than in previous years, but that has a lot to do with more land being in full production now, compared with 2010/11. And the conditions at flowering and fruit set were as near perfect as you could get. These factors are beyond the grower’s control.
What is evident is that the majority in Marlborough have learned from the lessons of the past. As have wineries, with yield caps being strictly enforced.
Hopefully the rest of the country will appreciate that. ν
