Winemaking will resume at Crab Farm Winery very soon. They just need the manager, Emma Jardine, to collect winemaker, Katie McKellow, from an inflatable boat somewhere near Puketapu.
“She’s really keen to get back to work,” laughs Emma, who’s also Katie’s sister.
So it goes for families trying to reassemble their lives and businesses following Cyclone Gabrielle. The small, family-owned winery is located just minutes from Esk Valley, ground zero for Hawke’s Bay.
Emma lost her home. So did her father-in-law and Crab Farm founder, Hamish Jardine. The restaurant was flooded and the cellar door had minor damage. The biggest blow is the loss of the Shingle Pit block, five hectares on the Napier-Taupo highway.
“The vines aren’t even there anymore, just wiped out,” she says.
Like many of the winemakers in the region, Emma is stoic. “We’re just putting aside our personal troubles to get the business reopened. We’re also realising that we’re lucky compared to others. We’re really feeling for our friends in Esk Valley.
Crab Farm plans to reopen on March 9. The harvest of what remains of the fruit starts next week. “We’ve got such an amazing team, that’s what gets you through.”
The Shingle Pit block has been wiped out by Cyclone Gabrielle
Harvest starts now
New Zealand Winegrowers says that the focus is now on the harvest for most of the vineyards.
“We have a large number of vineyards in both regions [Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s bay] that have not been as significantly impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, and these winegrowers are beginning to harvest their crop, with many producers still feeling positive and looking forward to a high-quality vintage,” says CEO Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.
On the other hand, there were others who had suffered huge damage to their vineyards and wineries, and these devastated winegrowers needed help to begin the recovery and rehabilitation process. “Those affected have a long road ahead of them to assess the damage, undertake the clean-up and consider their future. The recovery funding announced by the Government this week is a good start to making this all possible, and future financial relief that is expected to be announced in due course will be appreciated.”
“The ongoing challenges over the past few years have proven the resilience and adaptability of the New Zealand wine community, and the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle has been met with the same strength and determination. Our industry’s unwavering commitment to producing premium quality wines will prevail, so wine lovers in New Zealand and around the world can continue to enjoy the distinctive wines from these regions.”
Those wanting to donate directly to the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne wine communities can find more information here.
Emma Jardine says all help is welcome and perhaps the best way to help is buy Hawkes Bay wine. Can’t argue with that.
