Last of Gisborne district grapes picked

The Gisborne grape harvest has been completed and the district's growers can watch the rain without worrying.

The last grapes to come off vines around the district were harvested last week.

Growers say it has been a good season.

"We've got some amazing chardonnay and pinot in the tanks," Mark Thompson, of Gisborne Winegrowers, said.

The last of the crop, five tonnes of Montepulciano, were picked at Bushmere Estate.

“We don’t need to worry about the current rain, which is great,” Gisborne Winegrowers chairman and GisVin chief winemaker Mark Thompson said.

“It’s been a good year and we’ve got some amazing chardonnay and pinot in the tanks.

“The reds have also looked very good as well.”

The last of the Gisborne crops were picked last week.

Thompson said the yields were about average this vintage.

“All in all, a good season.”