HARVESTING North East winemakers are keen for blue skies over coming weeks with recent wet weather resulting in one losing 12 hectares of grapes to hail.
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Most vignerons believe the rain over the past week has not significantly hindered their harvest prospects, however they would not welcome any more significant precipitation.
“We hope there's not more rain until April, ideally,” Lake Moodemere Estate winemaker Michael Chambers said.
“We're all in the same boat, there's not much damage and as long as it clears up it will be a good vintage.”
The Rutherglen producer was to start picking chardonnay grapes last Wednesday, but the rain halted his plans and he hopes to begin this week following a drop of 32mm to 40mm.
In the King Valley, De Bortoli Wines at Moyhu has experienced 76mm since Thursday with an hour-long hail storm that night ruining 12 hectares of grapes.
Vineyard manager David Thwaites said another 20 hectares had suffered hail damage but the grapes there had been saved by being picked from Friday to Saturday morning.
“We've had enough rain, we just need some reasonable sunshiny days,” Mr Thwaites said.
Winemakers of Rutherglen vice chairman Rowly Milhinch said rain puts the flavour of grapes on hold but with fine weather it returns and continues to develop before harvesting.
He said it would allow red varieties such as durif more time to ripen.
Beechworth's Pennyweight Winery vigneron Stephen Morris said the rain was beneficial with the moisture helping to reduce stress on his grapes.
“It's a lot better than the talk of the last six months which was drought,” Mr Morris said.
“It's very positive for Beechworth table wines, it could be a damn good year.”
Rainfall for 24 hours to 9am Monday was Albury-Wodonga (28.6mm), Benalla (13mm), Corowa (13.2mm), Corryong (35mm), Rutherglen (16.4mm), Tocumwal (12mm), Wagga (16mm), Wangaratta (12.4mm) and Yarrawonga (17.8mm).
