26 Mar 2020

2020 Wine vintage disruption

From Nine To Noon, 9:49 am on 26 March 2020
A vineyard in Marlborough

Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal

The Chief Executive of New Zealand Wine Growers Phillip Gregan says grapes will have to stay on the vines while the safety of vineyard workers can be assured.

The grape and wine industry is allowed to operate during the COVID-19  - Alert Level  4, as it is considered an essential businesses. 

This does not include cellar doors and restaurants at wineries.

Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough is right in middle of the harvest, but work has slowed down as vineyard owners make sure their operations meet strict Government guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19.