PHOTO: MICKEY ROSSWānaka's Indian summer has offered hope to winemakers with harvest under way after a difficult year in the vineyard. Warm temperatures last month offered a glimmer of hope to Central Otago’s wine industry as the harvest started in earnest, following a tough stretch which goes back to the spring of 2024. ‘‘That’s meant that there’s not a huge amount of fruit on the vines and our crop load is down,’’ Ms Dineen said. During harvest the staff doubles, with seasonal workers from around the world descending on Central Otago to get the grapes off the vine. ‘‘It’s a celebration of the year’s work, and so while it’s a really critical time, it’s also quite festive.’’ruairi.oshea@odt.co.nz

Source: Otago Daily Times April 10, 2026 05:34 UTC