Growers optimistic despite light yield

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The 2024 grape harvest starts in about a month and the district’s growers are hoping for kind weather up to then. “Like most crops around the district, everything looks a bit light in terms of yield at this stage,” said Gisborne Winegrowers chair Mark Thompson.

“But the quality of the crop looks pretty good without much disease pressure so far.” Mr Thompson expects they will make a start on harvesting Chardonnay grapes towards the end of February. “Between now and then we need some consistently warm, sunny weather.”