Grape expectations

Nearly all the major wine growers in the Far North have picked their grapes by now - both red and white varieties - although what week of the month they picked depends on where the vineyard is situated and, like all farms everywhere, was weather dependent.

If it's near the sea like Omata Estate in Russell, picking of the thin-skinned grapes like pinot gris, flora and chardonnay was completed early because it's generally warmer than in inland parts of Northland. Winemaker, Bruce Soland, says the thicker-skinned syrah was picked a little early because the weather forecast for the 15th and 16th March was foul.

Yet nowhere in Northland is the sea more than 50 kilometres away and coupled to the humid, sunny climate means the total amount of heat available to the vines to ripen the grapes during the growing season is greater in Northland than in any region in the country.

It's worth remembering that the first vines in New Zealand were planted in the Bay of Islands by the Reverend Samuel Marsden in 1819. James Busby later planted vines at Waitangi from which wine was made. He went on to govern New Zealand from Sydney and from there established the famous wine-growing region of the Hunter Valley.

And if the foundation of the New Zealand wine industry can be traced - it belongs to the Croatian gum diggers who arrived in Northland in the very early part of the 20th century and brought with them their European tradition of wine making. Many of today's successful wine companies can trace their lineage back to Northland. But, back to the present.

By mid-March Okahu Estate near Ahipara was picking chambourcin, a hearty red grape, and according to owner, Monty Knight, field tests indicate optimum condition. He was hoping to wait until the end of the month to pick syrah but, like all wineries, that would depend on the forecasted rain.

Marsden Estate in Kerikeri were picking by the second week in March -three weeks earlier than last year - and wine-maker Rod McIvor (considered the wine guru of the region) says if there's one hallmark this year it's the consistency of Northland grapes. And he mentions the growing number of wineries in the area.

"There are 60 different wines grown in Northland from Mangawhai to Kaitaia and over the next two or three years that could increase. "This year Northland will produce 140 tonne of wine. In about 2016 we will be producing 250 tonne because people are moving north, they are buying land and turning it into vines. What's significant is they are not dependent on the income from wine to make it work."

What can we expect from the 2014 pickings? A brief taste-test tour of Far North wineries from the top of the north to the Bay of Islands reveals:

Okahu Estate, Ahipara.
"The 2013 syrah, which is yet to be released, is the best I've ever made and 2014 is looking good too." Monty Knight.

Karikari Estate, Karikari.
"We are shaping up for a great vintage with rich and aromatic chardonnay, vibrant tannins in pinotage and deep-coloured fullbodied syrah and merlot." Alan Collinson.

Marsden Estate, Kerikeri.
"This year's standard will be gold medal for a number of vineyards in the region." Rod MacIvor.

Kapiro Vineyard, Kerikeri.
"We brought the grapes in earlier this year but they were good and clean so we are expecting a good vintage for 2014." Kathy Voice.

Cottle Hill Vineyard, Kerikeri.
"The fruit load is super because of a good spring and the stand-outs this year will be chardonnay and pinot noir." Barbara Webb.

Omata Estate, Russell.
"I think the 21013 vintage will be gold medal winning for Northland and the reds are stunning." Bruce Soland.