The winery also suggested that, thanks to favourable weather, early indicators pointed to a vintage that could deliver all the characteristic flavours of the region.

"The weather has worked in our favour throughout the entire season," said Patrick Materman, chief winemaker at Brancott Estate. "In contrast to the 2012 vintage, Marlborough had fine, settled weather during the critical flowering period, leading to balanced crop loads."

After a warm summer helped with ripening, the cool autumn nights that followed helped the crop to retain the distinctive natural acidity of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The Pinot Noir harvest is expected to begin in late March, with a view to be completed by mid-April.