Toast to a top crop

While much of the rest of the country expects a reduced grape harvest, Far North grape growers are ahead of the game, starting the harvest of a bumper crop three weeks earlier than usual.

Low rainfall and low humidity over the past five months has resulted in few problems with mildews and botrytis in the grapes.

"These is our best picking year ever," says Phil Minehan of Morepork vineyard."

"Our fruit is stunning because of the drought. You can refer to us as the new Barrossa Valley if you like," says Bruce Soland of Fat Pig.

This year’s exceptionally good grape growing conditions in Northland have the potential for a premium vintage.

Morepork Vineyard has produced what the owners expect to be another award-winning pinot gris from this 2010 vintage, with higher brix and more intense flavours.

Other Puketotara Rd vineyards harvesting their grapes are Bent Duck – chardonnay, The Fat Pig – chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, with syrah later on, also Hairy Dog – syrah, and Chinook Winds – syrah.

Northland Winegrowers Association chairman Rod McIvor agrees that the dry conditions are indeed producing an exceptional vintage in the Far North, which is especially encouraging for new entrants to the industry.

The high sugar levels and fine quality of the earlier-ripening varieties such as pinot gris and chardonnay augers well for the main harvest of red varieties towards the end of the month.

Monty Knight of Okahu Estate in Kaitaia says very good quality pinot gris has been harvested at Butterfish Bay Vineyard in Mangonui and the quality of red varietals in the vineyards at Karikari and Kaitaia is looking promising.

"In fact 2010 could end up producing our best-ever vintage, even ahead of 2007 and 1994," he says.

Last of the Summer Wine – featuring wine, food and music – is at The Fat Pig vineyard on April 11 from 11.30am to 5.30pm. Eight vineyards and five local chefs will showcase Kerikeri’s wine and food. Music by Dan the Man and Band. Tickets from Fat Pig cellar door, 177 Puketotara Rd. See www.fatpig.co.nz.

Re-creation of historic vineyard at Waitangi P6

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