They say hopes of a successful vintage now rest on warm autumn temperatures after what has been a cool summer.
Viticultura operations manager Jason Thomson says it has been a tough season for growers because of the cold and windy summer.
"The wind has caused a lot of issues and as a result, the plants haven’t been functioning to their usual capabilities.’’The grape-growing season was now tracking 10 days later than normal.
Peregrine Winery viticulturist Nick Paulin said the only thing to do now was wait.
"We had an amazing September and October, and then we had three months of wind.
"We just don’t know the ripening process from now on. If we get an autumn that’s not too cold, we’ve got a chance to make some interesting wine."
There had been several "weird", one-off weather events in the past two years.
"We had three inches of snow here in November with green shoots on the vines — it was crazy.
"Then we had the frost alarms going off in January."
While the weather had been testing for growers, all was not lost, Mr Paulin said.
"I’ve been in Central for 12 years, and sometimes the most challenging growing seasons make the best wine.
"At the end of the day, I think we will come out with a pretty good product."
- Margot Neas
