As we enter the final weeks of summer (sob!), the anticipation for harvest is at an all-time high at our three estates. Each vineyard has a story to tell of the 2026 season, all with their own highs (and lows). From Hawke's Bay's cool spring followed by fantastic flowering weather, to North Canterbury being a hive of activity in the vineyard with extra growth thanks to a bit of rain post-Christmas, and Central Otago's patient wait for consistency in an unpredictable year.
Our winemaking and viticulture team share their insights from our farms.
Omahu Estate, Hawke's Bay
Dan Brewster, Associate Viticulturist
The season was off to a slow start with one of the coolest springs in recent memory (by Hawke's Bay standards anyway!). This translated to our varieties bud-breaking over a period of 6 weeks, with Chardonnay first, and Cabernet last.
The season came into full swing with the nor'wester bringing heat, and little rain. It was relatively smooth sailing throughout the season, with fantastic weather over flowering for all varieties and consistent veraison. La Niña has thrown a bit of wet weather to keep us on our toes with the onset of the new year, but the vines are showing resilience to this with some conscious plant husbandry to control yield and air flow.
We’re expecting to be harvesting Chardonnay by the end of February.
Omahu Estate, February 2026
Waikari Estate, North Canterbury
Huw Kinch, Estate Manager & Winemaker
North Canterbury had a very windy and warm spring with only one significant frost event in late September that required protection.
The warm and windy weather continued resulting in an earlier flowering than normal and good fruit set.
Since Christmas, the weather has been cooler with regular rain resulting in extra growth in the vines that has required a second leaf plucking pass, regular trimming, and cultivation, so it has been a very busy start to the year for the vineyard team.
Harvest at Waikari looks like it will begin late March or early April depending on what Mother Nature has in store for us.
Waikari Estate, February 2026
Low Burn Estate, Central Otago
Nick Paulin, National Viticulturist
Central Otago has had a very 'spring-like' season – lots of wind and rain early, cool but no frost fighting thus far. We’ve enjoyed the odd warm day, however there hasn’t been much consistency to weather patterns … other than it being inconsistent!
Flowering was close to long term averages (later than previous years), and January has been cooler than average so the team are working on making sure crop levels aren't too high and bunch exposure (leaf plucking) is dialled in for a cooler season. We’re expecting harvest to be well into April unless we get a very warm finish to summer.
Low Burn Estate, February 2026