Sugar levels in the berries were lower than usual culminating in lower alcohol wines. Nevertheless flavours and acid balance across all varieties was up to par - with some very bright herbal characters coming through in the Sauvignon Blancs in particular. Our organic vineyards fared well due to excellent sun exposure which helped keep bunches dry. A long harvest period culminated in a massive 45 Brix Botrytised Riesling.

Our organic vineyards coped very well. Meticulous attention to keeping bunches exposed allowed them to dry quickly even after significant rainfall. We were back to more normal levels of ripeness and acid balance than 2017. Pinot Noir in particular achieved good balance and fresh berry flavours. It was our first harvest for Gruner Veltliner and we are very excited to see how this delicate variety shapes up ! A great year again for Botrytised Riesling with our 2018 ending up with great acidity and a whopping 150 grams/Litre Residual Sugar.

As a result grapes were harvested in primo condition across all varieties. The stony soils Sauvignon Blanc was back to having rich tropical fruit characters with the heavier soil blocks balancing with classic capsicum gooseberry and herbal notes.Pinot Noirs had great concentration from the small berry size - and we expect this year to have exceptional cellaring potential.A lovely clean harvest finishing early on 4th April.

We ended up with just the family operating as a bubble due to the challenges of safe distancing and constantly sterilising equipment. Luckily the Covid vintage was benign weather wise with no real challenges. This allowed us to harvest with our small family crew at a leisurely pace. Early signs are that all of our 2020 wines show excellent balance. A harvest which will always be remembered for the unique circumstances but also the exception quality from fruit that could ripen perfectly on the vine.

Promises to reveal wines of excellent balance texture and longevity. The light crops were able to ripen easily and early with harvest being complete by the end of March - earliest finish ever at Huia.Sauvignon Blancs across both our stony soils and heavier ground achieved excellent sugar levels and flavour but retained fresh lively acidity. Pinot Noir was the variety hardest hit yield wise - but again excellent intensity due to the very small berry size. Just wish we had more wine from this lovely harvest!