Grapes aplenty for next vintage

This year's grape harvest may be the highest on record, boosting the outlook for wine sales, says New Zealand Winegrowers' chief executive Philip Gregan.

Between 165,000 tonnes and 185,000 tonnes of grapes were expected to be harvested, compared with 142,000 tonnes last year and the record 165,000 tonnes in 2004.

"The increased crop will be welcome as many producers are now short of wine after the smaller-than-expected vintage in 2005," he said.

Warmer than average weather in January and February had lifted the possibility of a record harvest along with the 5 per cent increase in vine plantings to 22,000ha.