Vintage 2014 underway
The 2014 New Zealand grape harvest is underway amid high hopes for a vintage which has started earlier than recent years due to a fantastic growing season.“Like many of the agricultural sectors in New Zealand, most of our grape growing regions have experienced very favourable growing conditions through the summer and into the early autumn. With a continuation of the current warm, dry days and cool nights, all the indications suggest we are set for another memorable, high quality vintage which will be a great follow up to the stellar 2013 harvest” said New Zealand Winegrowers Chief Executive Officer Philip Gregan.
Mr Gregan says he expects the 2014 vintage will provide a further boost wine exports in the year ahead. “On the back of the 2013 vintage, New Zealand wine exports are up 5% to a record $1.27 billion and we expect they will exceed $1.3 billion by June year end. With demand strong in key markets, the 2014 vintage will enable another significant boost to exports in the year ahead.”
The 2014 grape harvest commenced in late February in northern regions and will conclude in early May.
