Harvest is underway at Quartz Reef in Central Otago

There is always a shift when it begins. The mornings come earlier, the pace sharpens, and the vineyard asks to be watched closely. This season has already brought its challenges, with the weather keeping everyone attentive, but that is part of the reality of growing Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wine and Pinot Noir in a place as dramatic and exposed as Central Otago.

And still, there is beauty in it.

Not the polished kind, but the quieter kind. The changing light across the vines, the cold mornings, the movement of fruit and people, and the sense that everything in the vineyard has been leading to this point.

With a brief pause in the weather, our team took a moment to mark the beginning of harvest together before the rhythm of the season settled in.

The Shape of Harvest

Harvest is one of the most demanding and rewarding times of the year. Months of work in the vineyard narrow into a matter of weeks, and each day is shaped by timing, conditions, and careful decisions.

Early starts, full picking bins, long days, and close attention to the fruit all become part of the rhythm. It is physical work, often unpredictable, and deeply absorbing.

For the Quartz Reef team, it is also a moment to recognise the people behind each bottle. Our growers, vineyard crew, cellar team, and all those whose care and experience carry the season forward.

What Comes Next

Over the coming weeks we will continue picking, sorting, and working carefully with what the season gives us.

It is still early, and harvest never reveals itself all at once. But the 2026 vintage is now underway, and from here our focus is simple: to stay close to the fruit, respond thoughtfully to the conditions, and let the character of the season find its way into the wines.

For Quartz Reef, that means the beginning of another chapter for our Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines and our Central Otago Pinot Noir.

We will share a few moments from the vineyard and winery as harvest unfolds.

In the meantime, cheers to the beginning of the season.

What We’re Enjoying Right Now

If you are looking for something to open now, these are a few current favourites from the cellar:

Single Ferment 2021 A beautifully expressive wine showing great balance and character.

Vintage Blanc de Blancs 2019 Elegant and refined, with vibrant freshness and complexity.

Pinot Rosé 2025 Bright, lively and refreshing – perfect for easy drinking.

Pinot Noir 2022 A current favourite in the cellar, drinking beautifully now with depth, silkiness, and classic Central Otago Pinot Noir character.