We’re excited to share Deep Down’s 2026 harvest report from the team in Marlborough-
The 25/26 season required patience but delivered a quietly exceptional crop. Starting off with a disrupted flowering period in spring — cool and unsettled at its close — reshaped bunch architecture and reduced berry numbers by 25%. Smaller clusters, higher skin-to-juice ratios, and a slower, more extended ripening period defined what followed.
January brought warmth punctuated by rain, before a dry, settled February offered ideal accumulation conditions. March delivered cool nights and wide diurnal swings — the kind that preserve acidity and allow flavour complexity to build without rush. Mother Nature played a cute hand and all varieties ripened within a week – meaning we had a hectic / joyful harvest starting on the 18th and finishing on the 26th of March.
Growing degree day accumulation tracked below the long-term average throughout, echoing the character of standout vintages like 2021 and 2023. Our Chardonnay from The Wrekin — farmed biodynamically on ancient clay soils in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys — came in pristine, the hillside’s natural resilience evident in every bunch. As we speak the native yeasts are gobbling up the last of the sugars and we’ll watch with intrigue as the wines gain shape and build character over winter élevage.
2026 promises wines of real precision and depth, they’ll have nuance and panache.
The 2026 vintage promises to be another stunning vintage, but for now check out the current vintage wines we have available here.
