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"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."
The company started with Pinot Noir on 12 March, and Gewürztraminer the second cab off the rank.
"Things are looking wonderful; the weather forecast is looking good; the sugars are looking really good; it's got lovely acids."
The crop is "on the lighter side" but not as low as he anticipated, with current estimates of a 10% to 15% drop on the average.
"But we haven't started on Sauvignon Blanc and that's the biggie, so that might be a bit lighter."
They also have some areas that were badly frosted, with 90% of the yield lost.
But with the rest of the vineyard just under normal, "we are pretty happy," Chris says.
It's been 51 years since Hermann and Agnes Seifried planted vines in Nelson, establishing what is now the South Island's oldest wine producer. Their son Chris, who has spent his entire life navigating the vagaries of nature, markets and regulations, says excellent 2024 wines are welcome boost in tough times.
The Central Dozen isn’t about finding the “shiniest examples” of Central Otago Pinot Noir, says Felton Road Winemaker Blair Walter of a new annual selection programme.
Pyramid Valley had its longest Chardonnay Vintage ever this year, thanks to Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago fruit travelling to the North Canterbury winery.
A combination of lower grape yields, lower price per tonne, and increasing vineyard operating costs, is hitting Marlborough grapegrowers in the pocket, says WK Advisors and Accountants Director Hamish Morrow.
Marlborough’s 2024 vintage was “a return to form for Marlborough summers”, says Astrolabe General Manager Libby Levett.
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