Rockit launches in Gisborne region
Apple company Rockit (RGL) is expanding into Gisborne, planting 20 hectares of its miniature apple variety and creating at least 20 jobs.
The 2021 harvest was the latest in a run of kind harvests for Gisborne, says Matawhero owner Kirsten Searle.
"The last hard vintage was back in 2012, so Mother Nature has been kind to us," she says, looking back over the latest season of benign weather, close to average yields and quality fruit.
The season started around 22 February, which is the earliest harvest she has experienced in 20 years on the land, beating last year's already early start by three or four days. "The region did have a decent frost this sprin which was interesting," says Kirsten, of the biggest frost event they have seen in the region for many years. It "tickled up" a few vineyards, although Matawhero was largely unscathed. And the vines rallied, with crops across the region only slightly down, says Kirsten. "It was pretty much average for us in terms of yields across the board."
Low disease pressure and good sunshine, with just one rain event during harvest, made for "good ripeness and good acid and pH balance at picking, she says. "It's a good vintage, with wines that with cellar reasonably well."
As well as enjoying vintage conditions, Gisborne wine companies with cellar doors are enjoying the boost in tourism caused by Covid-19. People who might otherwise winter in Europe are exploring the East Coast, along with its wineries, she says. "People are starting to come back and are reconnecting with the East Coast and Gisborne wines."
Misha Wilkinson’s description of “pirouetting” through Covid-19 seems apt, given the industry’s need to stay on its toes throughout this…
There’s been something of a makeover in New Zealand vineyards in recent years, as the clean-cut look of sprayed rows…
Back at the start of vintage 2020, growers and wineries waited anxiously for the answer to the burning question -…
Since joining New Zealand Winegrowers I have been working closely with the environment team on central government consultations relating to…
Erica Crawford has taken some knocks over 25 years in the wine business, but she's emerged stronger each time.