Hopes are high for the harvest after crops in recent times have suffered the effects of drought, heat and smoke.

Marc Scalzo, of Rutherglen Estates, said the winery’s harvest was “showing great promise” after starting yesterday.

“So far things have been good,” he said.

“The weather has been kind, we have had hot spells, but they’ve been succeeded by cooler nights, and we haven’t had that run of 45-degree days.

“It has been more like an average north-east Victorian summer. It hasn’t been as extreme.”

Rutherglen Estates hope to harvest 2000 tonnes of grapes in the next eight to 10 weeks.

While pleased with the potential yield, Mr Scalzo was most excited about its quality.

The senior winemaker said cooler nights had helped develop the flavour of white wine grapes and maintain the freshness of the reds.

“Everyone is optimistic about the quality if things continue the way they’re going,” he said.

Chris Pfeiffer, of Pfeiffer Wines, expected to begin harvest at his Rutherglen winery in about a week.

He said the harvest was about a week ahead of schedule because of the heat and rapid onset of sugar and colour in the grapes.

“Potentially there’s a good opportunity there,” he said.

“The weight maybe down with smaller berries, but they might have good flavour and good colour.

“It could be a good year.”

Pfeiffer Wines hope to harvest up to 140 tonnes before the end of April.

In the King Valley, winemakers don’t expect to begin picking grapes off the vine until mid-February.

King Valley Vignerons president David Maples said favourable weather looked like producing an “excellent vintage”.

“Basicall y the crops look like average crops,” he said.

“We had good rains in the valley in January and since then, the days have been warm with much cooler nights.”