Grape harvest predicted to be lower than last year (NZ)

The grape harvest, which is under way for early varieties in the Auckland and Gisborne regions, is expected to be smaller than usual. The harvest is running about a fortnight behind last year due to wet and cool weather conditions during summer which slowed down the ripening process. New Zealand Winegrowers estimates the harvest will be 300,000 tonnes this year – a fall of about 30,000 tonnes on last year, reports Radio New Zealand News.