Recent heavy rain and weather events have left orchards across Central Otago battered and bruised from an already difficult year, but grape growers are relieved their bounty appears largely unaffected. 

Many orchards had their cherries stripped, fruit burst or trees flooded from heavy rain. 

Central Otago Winegrowers Association (COWA) General Manager Glenn Schuitman says the recent heavy rains have not caused damage to grapes. 

“Though it may have caused some damage to infrastructure, such as headlands and vineyard roading, it’s unlikely that it will impact hugely on the crop itself. 

“Fortunately, by the time this last rain event occurred, the region was through the flowering period of the season, so the vines had already set a good yield for the year. 

“The shoots are quite robust by this time, so not as sensitive to breaking as they are earlier in the season. 

“Best of all, with hot, dry weather forecast, the recent rain events have revitalised the life of the soils and assisted the developing bunches at a critical time of cell division. 

“My feeling is, you’d be hard pressed to find a winegrower who regards the last storm as anything other than a positive.” 

As for what growers are talking about for this season, Glenn said there have been challenges but the warmer, more settled weather likely on the forecast breeds optimism. 

“It’s certainly had its challenges, with a few isolated pockets of frost, and some heavy winds in early December (along with the more universal complications of staff shortages), but as long as we keep up this warm, calm weather we’re getting now, we’ll have all we need for a positive-looking harvest, come April. 

“In short, we’re feeling cautiously optimistic.” 

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