Vintage 2002 was the longest harvest in Te Mata’s history. It began on Friday 15th March and finished, after nearly 7 weeks of picking, on Wednesday 1st May. It was a high quality growing season albeit with an unusual pattern. An early and warm spring progressed to a humid summer, and a very long, warm and dry autumn. The major feature was the “on-vine time” where the magnificent end of the season weather allowed each parcel of each variety to be harvested at optimum flavour ripeness.