News

- Total vintage 285,000 tonnes

- Very good wine quality expected due to favourable March and April weather

- Strong growth in exports over past year (+28%)

- Marlborough harvest down 1% due to lower Pinot Noir volume and close management of Sauvignon Blanc to avoid volume pressure

- Hawke's Bay up 20% - back to 'normal' levels after low 2008 vintage

The 2009 New Zealand vintage is marginally above pre-harvest expectation for a crop of 275,000 tonnes, but is in-line with Winegrowers' view that the harvest would not be bigger than 2008. Producing area in 2009 is estimated to have been 31,000 ha, up 2000 ha on 2008.

New Zealand Winegrowers' CEO, Philip Gregan, said the industry had worked hard in the past year to keep volumes at last year's levels to maintain quality.

He also said the elements had been kind in 2009, which would contribute to a quality vintage.

"We enjoyed a very good growing season this year. Some early humidity and weather pressure in February was replaced by a superb March and April. This meant our growers and wineries were able to pick the grapes at optimal ripeness."

"The record 2008 vintage has driven export growth of 28% for the year to date meaning that we will achieve $1 billion of wine exports in 2009, a year earlier than forecast. Despite the strong growth in exports, there has been downward pressure on prices in the short-term given the global recession and market conditions. The prospect of some outstanding wines from the 2009 vintage will help underpin our price premium," added Gregan.

Marlborough's vintage was slightly less (-1%) than 2008, with an increase in Sauvignon Blanc more than off-set by lower production of other varieties, notably Pinot Noir.