The managing director of Brian McGuigan Wines Ltd, Mr Brian McGuigan, said weather conditions had been almost perfect for this year's grapes, and he was expecting the biggest and best quality vintage ever. There has been no frost, no wind burn, no hail. The only damage was small hail damage which only affected two to three vineyards. The Australian wine industry is booming.
Australian wine is appreciated around the world.
We are doing so well relative to our competitors around the world because climate in other countries is so much more unpredictable. McGuigan's export director, Mrs Fay McGuigan, said picking time was one of the most exciting periods of the year as it only occurs once a year. The grape picking will last six to eight weeks, with workers beginning at daybreak and working an average 60 to 70 hours a week. A contractor at the McGuigan vineyards, Mr Gabriel Sipos, spent his childhood in Romania working in vineyards, and says it is satisfying when you know the crop is good. This year looks like a good vintage in the Hunter.