Insight: Dry weather positive for growers

Hawke's Bay Winegrowers Association vice chairman Xan Harding checking the vines at Paritua Vineyard and Winery, Maraekakaho. Photo / Warren Buckland

The windy dry weather is giving winegrowers the potential to top the "stellar" vintages of previous years.

According to Hawke's Bay Winegrowers Association vice chairman Xan Harding, the growing season has been as close to perfect as any grape grower could wish for.

"At this stage, we are positioned for a vintage of the highest quality, with the potential to surpass even the stellar vintages of 2008, 2014 and 2015."

Mr Harding said the early spring rain recharged the soil and aquifer and the rain in the ranges had kept the river flows away from any ban levels.

A significant number of growers have also adopted new irrigation approaches to minimise irrigation and further enhance fruit quality.

"The combination of new technology and dry conditions have allowed vine growth to be controlled more precisely than ever before."

The settled flowering weather and mostly dry and windy conditions with no extremes has added to this great season.

"We are now well enough advanced into the growing season that a lot of quality is already in the bank."

The only difference between a good and great vintage is down to the weather in March and April, he said.

"The long-term outlook for Hawke's Bay weather is settled, so we are hopefully surpassing ourselves!"

Also benefiting from this hot dry weather are Bay orchardists and one orchardist believes it could be another record year.

Crasborn orchard manager Lewis Houkamau said growers are looking to enter the market with good fruit sizes this season.

"With no water restrictions in place growers have got big smiles on their faces. Pear is due for harvest soon and they are generally looking really good."

Less rain also meant there was a drop in the fungicide applications being used, producing significant savings and lifting the bottom line.

Horticulture New Zealand director Leon Stallard agreed with Mr Houkamau, saying the settled weather was working well for the fruit.

"Hawke's Bay is used to the dry weather and as long as we have irrigation we are okay. It is looking like a pretty similar season to last year."

When asked if the wind had an effect, Mr Stallard said there was a bit of rub on the fruit but nothing out of the ordinary.