Wild weather, beautiful beautiful fruit, and lots of sleep - read all about Harvest 2026.

What's different this year?

Nat: The growing season has been really, really different - so, we had a hot start to the season then we had one of the coldest Christmases and holiday periods ever. We had a hugely wet January/February, and now we're having the summer we never had - in March - which is perfect!

Nick: Every growing season is different, we had a really early bud burst and early flowering, about two weeks ahead of schedule. What's been really good about that is that since we've had fruit set, we've had a long hang time of the fruit. That's just really positive for flavour development and wine quality.

What's surprised you?

Nat: I guess I've been surprised by this kind of beautiful hot end to summer, and the quality of the fruit. Because to be honest, just between you and me, I was a little bit worried with all the rain that was happening in January and February. But we've got some beautiful, clean, delicious fruit coming into the winery, which is awesome.

Nick: I don't know… hang on… I think we've been lucky there's been no unknown surprises. I guess part of my job is to really plan and have all those details. For me I've been really fortunate that my yield estimates have been right this year - last year I was drastically out. So, yeah, no big surprises, which is a good thing!

What is standing out to you?

Nat: We're about a week and a half into picking and one of the biggest surprises was the quality of the Pinot Noir. Really intense, small berries, beautiful colours, beautiful floral, perfumed aromatics, lovely tannin structure - so they're exciting. We've just really started to pick Sauvignon Blanc now and we've got beautiful natural brightness, and the acids are holding in really nicely. So, I think the Sauvignon's coming in from '26 will be beautifully balanced.

Nick: For me, I'm really excited to get into the Sauvignon Blanc harvest. Like I said, we've had a really good sort of time since flowering. I'm pretty excited to see the fruit that comes off - you're really just starting to some beautiful flavours come into the fruit now. It's exciting.

Be honest - what do you think will be the most awarded wine?

Nat: Oooh! Like I said, I'm pretty hopeful for Pinot Noir, I think it's looking good, especially some of the newer clones we've got planted at the Taylor Pass Vineyard. But, I think Sauvignon's are going to hold their own again this year, which is exciting. The Albariño hasn't come in yet - we've also got Chenin Blanc on the vine, but yeah, I'd say it's going to be a good year for most things. Fingers crossed!

Nick: I do think it'll be Sauvignon Blancs this year - keep an eye out for our Single Vineyard Sauvignon.

What will be your personal favourite wine?

Nat: Well, I always have a soft spot for Albariño - but probably some of the Sauvignons. I had a taste through one of the central parts of the Seaview Vineyard yesterday and we've got some incredible, intense, sort of heady, musky Sauvignon characters which I can't wait to see in Ferment.

Nick: I'm a sucker for Chardonnay - I'm excited to see what happens.

Very important - are you getting enough sleep?

Nat: I'm actually getting quite a bit hahaha. I'm working 12 hours a day but then I go home, have some snacks, have some cheese and crackers, go to bed then do it all again. I'm working 6 days a week, and I actually had a day off not so long ago and had a luxurious day of a massage and a facial, so, I'm feeling pretty good.

Nick: Enough - you never get lots this time of year, particularly having two children as well. My watch would tell me I don't sleep enough! But maybe six hours…

After so many years of Harvests, do you still love it?

Nat: Yeah! I think I've seen so many changes here at Yealands, and there's always new things happening. I still haven't got sick of the beautiful vista I get welcomed with every morning when I drive up over the hill and look out over the Seaview vineyard. On a clear morning you see over cook straight to Wellington, on a non-clear morning you see this moody sky and there's always different lights and atmospheric elements. It's such a beautiful spot. And the team's fun, we've got a great international team this year.

Nick: Definitely - I've done 24 harvests. I think if you don't get excited this time of year, that's probably telling ya you're in the wrong gig.

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