Winemaker Matt Connell

With a late frost last year, a hailstorm in February, and frost fighting in March, some subregions of Central Otago have been kept on their toes this season.

Vintage 2024: On the High Wire

Greystone's High Wire project is set to expand across 25% of the North Canterbury vineyard, allowing sheep to graze those blocks year round.

Vintage 2024: North Canterbury

"Conditions are incredible," and "the quality is going to be exceptional", says Mike Saunders from North Canterbury in mid-March, as harvest kicked off for many.

Vintage 2024: Nelson

"It's one of the best vintages, I think," says Chris Seifried on day one of Seifried Estate's Nelson harvest. "I'm really excited about it."

Jules Taylor starts her harvest at Meadowbank vineyard in Marlborough. Photo Credit: Lisa Duncan

"I'm just kind of pinching myself that the weather is so good," says Pernod Ricard's New Zealand Group Winemaker Jamie Marfell, as he approaches what will likely be his first Easter off in 34 years.

Wilco Lam, Chair of Wairarapa Wine Region.

The 2024 vintage could be one of Wairarapa's greatest yet, says Foley Wines winemaker John Kavanagh, who heads the winery team at Te Kairanga.

Millton

"I'm walking through the winery at the moment and the smells in there are just bloody amazing," says GisVin Chief Winemaker Mark Thompson early on 12 March.

Vintage 2024 at Soljans Estate. Photo Credit: Amber Soljan

Kumeu River's 2024 harvet was done and dusted by mid-March, with light crops ripening quickly in the dry and warm conditions.

Church Road Winemaker, Chris Scott.

"It's absolutely stunning as far as quality goes," says Church Road winemaker Chris Scott of Hawke's Bay 2024 harvest.

Pinot Noir NZ

With a date set for Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025, to be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch 11-13 February 2025, Committee Member Paul Donaldson gives us a taste of what's to come.

Telling the New Zealand Wine brand story, and what makes it truly unique and distinctive on the world stage, has been a key focus over the past year.

From Te Kano Estate in the Waitaki Valley, winemaker Dave Sutton offers insights into the year that was.

Matt Connell's winemaking palette includes colours from across Central Otago, from Gibbston and Alexandra, to Bendigo and Bannockburn.

Foley Wine’s chief Marlborough winemaker Stu Marfell grew up on a farm in the Awatere Valley, and has seen the area transformed by grapes over the past 40 years. The Marlborough Wine Show Judge explores the Awatere.

The founder, winemaker and namesake of Jules Taylor Wines, who was Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine's 2021 New Zealand Winemaker of the Year, pays homage to a surprisingly splendid vintage in Marlborough's 50th year of wine.

Mark McGill, co-founder, grower and maker of Abel Cider and Chardonnay, reflects on the year that was from the boutique and beautiful Moutere block he's grown with his wife Sophie.

Jannine Rickards, winemaker at Urlar, founder of Huntress Wines, previous chair and co-chair of the Wairarapa Winegrowers Association, hunter, gatherer and inspiration to many, says the region has high hopes for 2024.

Ben Tombs is stepping up to Chief Winemaker at Craggy Range, with Julian Grounds heading back across the Tasman to make wine on the Mornington Peninsula. The New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year 2020 gives us a taste of the trials, tribulations and triumphs in Te Matau-a-Māui in 2023.

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