The first grapes of the 2022 vintage have been picked and winegrowers are hoping for good yields as they try to replenish their cellars.
Photo: 123RF
Last year's harvest was 20 percent smaller than the previous year, forcing wineries to draw down on stocks to maintain their place in overseas markets.
New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said its members were feeling nervous heading into this crucial time of the year.
"This stock drawdown highlights that we desperately need a bigger harvest in 2022, to replenish cellars, and help satisfy international demand," he said.
Gregan said increasing production costs and the on-going effects of Covid-19 on the border, markets, and supply chains had continued to impact the industry.
"There's a lot of risks to manage, which just, are making people very nervous and uncertain about what the next couple of months is going to bring."
He said while it was seeing strong demand, wine businesses that sold predominantly through the on-premise and tourism sectors continued to experience significant setbacks.
"Domestically, red light restrictions on operations of hospitality businesses are a major challenge for wineries dependent on that sector. Cellar doors have been hit hard by the collapse in international tourist numbers over the past two years.
"Positively, we have seen more New Zealanders visiting cellar doors, but there are long, lean periods as we move out of the traditional Kiwi holiday period."
Gregan said last year's smaller harvest was due to poor weather during flowering, but this year the crop size was looking better.