MOUNTAIN Ridge Wines at Shoalhaven Heads appears to be one local winery which is bucking the trend and has increased returns of its harvest so far.
Owner Barry Starkey said this year’s harvest has been fantastic.
“So far our tonnage is up,” he said.
“We started the year with a new spraying program and the dry weather has really suited us.
“Our semillon tonnage is up to twice of last year’s and the quality is superb.
“Our chardonnay tonnage is also up 50 per cent and we are still picking.
“We have arneis, a white Italian variety which should be harvested soon, while the verdelho is due to be harvested over the weekend.”
He said the two recent extremely hot days didn’t seem to affect his vines and fruit.
“We knew the hot days were coming, we irrigated and didn’t have any problems,” he said.