The Profile: Forager Fermenting in the Field
There's a particular type of winemaker who likes to do things quietly, letting quality do the talking, waiting for the right people to find their wines. Dom Maxwell is one of them.
"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.
Greystone's Viticulturist says yields are coming in on target, "which was definitely on the more moderate size", thanks to poor flowering, the impact of the dry weather, and in some cases a disappointing bounce back after a late spring frost.
Mike estimates a 20% to 25% yield reduction on the long-term average, with some unirrigated blocks carrying bunches half the size of a normal year, "which makes it pretty tough to meet yield targets".
But with vines carrying small berries with great intensity and "amazing" flavours, the region's winemakers are very happy, he says.
"You cannot fault the quality; it's going to be exceptional."
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