WINE makers have been on the ground inspecting Upper Hunter vineyards as the time has come to pick the fruit from the vines.
The proof of course is in the drinking, but the process involved before it gets from the bottle to the glass starts long before.
From this week and for the next six weeks close to 25,000 tonnes of grapes will be harvested from Upper Hunter vineyards.
This, the business end of the season, is an exciting and nervous time for vignerons across the valley.
Owner of Winbirra Estate at Dalswinton John Quayle said plenty of work was dedicated throughout the year, but everything boiled down to the next couple of weeks.
"You start back in May with pruning, which is all hand done, followed by chemical spraying … but you never know what your return is going to be until now," Mr Quayle said.
The vineyard, located in the Denman district, will produce some 650 tonnes of grapes which will be machine harvested.
Chosen wine makers have been to inspect the fruit at Winbirra this week and it is expected harvesting will start with the white varieties, verdelho, semillon and chardonnay, next week and take about two weeks to complete.
After about a two week wait the reds, shiraz and cabernet, will follow, also taking about two weeks to harvest.
Although there is still a wait before the plump, precious fruit is safely in barrels ready to be made into wine, Mr Quayle said he was expecting a good crop this year.
“From a vignerons point of view you never judge until it’s in the vats,” he said.
“For all of us it is a nervous time until you get that call from the wine makers to say they are very happy.
“But for what we have done to date the fruit looks wonderful and all disease free.
“We are all geared up and ready to start (harvesting), we are now hoping that we get no storms and the weather stays away for the next couple of weeks.”
Harvesting will happen at night when the vines are in their best condition and the fruit is firm and right for picking.
Upper Hunter Winemakers Association treasurer and owner of Denman’s Two Rivers winery Brett Keeping said the 2011 season was a good one for most Upper Hunter vineyards.
“In the Hunter we can get challenging weather but so far we have had favourable conditions,” Mr Keeping said.
“The cooler than normal, mild conditions and a wet spring have meant there are lovely fresh canopies and the fruit has retained higher natural acid levels.”
Mr Keeping also agreed that this time of year was a nervous one for growers.
“You are always cautiously optimistic, but it is not over until it’s over,” he said.
“You have one chance to make an income and these next 12 months depend on this one month ahead.”
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