An earlier than anticipated frost hit Central Otago yesterday morning. Wind machines kicked into action from about 6am on Sunday morning but there was no real damage reported. Its a sure sign that autumn is on its way. Central usually starts to get frosts from April onwards so this is unusual. Its a tough life growing grapes in Otago with extreme weather hazards at both ends of the season but the quality of the fruit that gets harvested usually makes up for it. Up to this point in the season most growers are extremely upbeat about the quality on the vine. So as long as that continues through until late April/early May then the wineries will be happy too.
Canterbury is also a region which loves a good frost too so with grapes being anything from 1-4 weeks away from harvest, growers up here will be keeping a watchful eye to the skies as well.
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