Record harvest for Central Otago winegrowers

Central Otago winegrowers are expecting to generate a record crop this year as vineyards prepare to harvest the grapes over the coming weeks.


Prolonged warm and dry weather throughout January, February and March assisted the development of the grapes and the last stages of ripening, contributing to the production of the region’s biggest crop.


Martin Anderson, president, Central Otago Winegrowers Association said at this stage the volume of grapes is looking very promising, “It is predicted 10,000 tonnes of grapes will be plucked from the vines over the next four to six weeks and it is shaping up to be one of Central Otago’s greatest vintages,” he said.


Harvest in Central Otago is a busy time of year for seasonal workers and it is expected the region will need well over 2,000 temporary employees. The vineyards and contractors are heavily reliant on attracting an influx of seasonal workers to the region to ensure the grapes are harvested in time.


The winegrowers work closely with Seasonal Solutions Ltd, a company specialising in sourcing labour for the viticulture and horticulture sectors, to organise the labour distribution and ensure there are sufficient workers.


“It will be an intense few months for the vineyards, attracting the workers to make sure the bumper yield comes to fruition. There is always plenty of work available on the vineyards and we just hope the workers will turn up!” commented Mr Anderson.


Growers are hoping for favourable weather patterns through to the beginning of May for the duration of the harvest. The overall tonnage would not be known until the winegrowers report on yields back to COWA.