72 | RURAL SERVICES » Harvest Hawke’s Bay Services includes spraying, mechanical leaf plucking and trimming, harvesting, fertilising, mowing, mulching, and anything else a vineyard might require. Karen Phelps Two years on under new ownership Harvest Hawkes Bay is evolving into a comprehensive vineyard management service, offering a one-stop solution for winemakers from planting to harvesting. One of the owners, Paul McEvoy, affectionately known as ‘Macca’ in the industry, began his journey in vineyard management approximately 15 years ago when he founded 39 Below Limited as a modest venture. Over the years, his expertise and passion for the wine industry saw it grow exponentially and it today manages a sprawling 200 hectares of vineyards across Hawkes Bay. The company is now in the process of being merged with Harvest Hawkes Bay, a company that had been in operation for a quarter of a century primarily focusing on machine harvesting services, resulting in the new comprehensive offering for clients. Macca says that Harvest Hawkes Bay has been a pivotal figure in Hawkes Bay’s wine landscape, responsible for harvesting around 50% of all the vineyards in the region, totalling approximately 2000 hectares. However, it wasn’t the company’s past that intrigued Macca; it was the prospect of the future. With weather patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable and the need for efficient vineyard management solutions on the rise, Macca saw the opportunity for the two businesses to merge. “We were at a stage where we were needing to upgrade machinery and managing 200 hectares, it made sense to move into machine harvesting,” explained Macca. “Now, we are at a point where we can offer a complete vineyard management service from start to finish, all in-house.” This all-encompassing service includes spraying, mechanical leaf plucking and trimming, harvesting, fertilising, mowing, mulching, and anything else a vineyard might require. The beauty of this integrated approach is that it streamlines operations for vineyard owners, says Macca. “They have a single point of contact, ensuring efficient service and an economic fixed-price model with monthly payments spread throughout the year,” he says. A sprawling 200 hectares of vineyards Hawkes Bay is now home to one of the most extensive vineyard management services in the region as Harvest Hawkes Bay boasts an impressive fleet of 11 machine harvesters to cater to the diverse needs of its clients. What sets the company apart, however, is its unwavering commitment to clients even in dire weather events, such as the recent Cyclone Gabrielle. “We managed to harvest around 150 hectares of our clients’ affected vineyards, ensuring that nothing was left to rot on the vine. Under our management we had around 30 hectares completely destroyed. We’ve worked tirelessly through the winter to repair the infrastructure and get these vineyards back on track.” The efforts to restore these vineyards involved repairing posts, wires, and irrigation systems, ensuring that the vines, remarkably resilient, had the best chance of survival. “Due to our size we’ve had the resources and manpower to get our clients’ vineyards sorted quicker,” says Macca. “We’ve managed to rescue a significant number of vines, thanks to our deep understanding of the winegrowers’ needs. Being growers ourselves, we know precisely what a vineyard requires at the right time, and can act accordingly.” In addition to the expertise of its team Harvest Hawkes Bay continually invests in state-of-the-art equipment, including telemetry technology. Harvesters equipped with telemetry are able to weigh grapes on board while harvesting and provide yield maps. “This invaluable data helps us focus on lower-yielding areas, improving production and cost-effectiveness,” explains Macca. “We also offer vigour mapping, revealing areas with lower vigour that require extra attention, such as additional fertilisers or compost. This targeted approach enhances results while reducing costs— a win-win for vineyard owners.” With a dedicated team of around 14 professionals, Harvest Hawkes Bay’s peak season spans from December to the end of April. Macca himself is deeply involved, overseeing the business and ensuring its smooth operation. Although he loves to get out on the machines when he can, his focus now is on driving Harvest Hawkes Bay to be the best option for harvesting in the region, providing a professional service and innovative tools for vineyard managers and owners. “With a complete management service under one umbrella, Harvest Hawkes Bay is positioning itself as the go-to solution for Hawkes Bay’s winemaking community. In the ever-evolving world of vineyard management we remain firmly rooted in the future, ready to play our part in the continued success of New Zealand’s wine industry.” For all your Router, Laser Cutting & Envgraving needs Proudly supporting Harvest Hawkes Bay LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED COMPETITIVE PRICING ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ENGINEERING SUPPLIES Come and see the team 06 879 5005 | 021 755241 ENGINEERINGSOLUTIONSHB.CO.NZ INFO@ENGINEERINGSOLUTIONSHB.CO.NZ 3 HAZLEWOOD STREET FLAXMERE HASTINGS Pirtek Hawke’s Bay is proud to support Harvest Hawke’s Bay with all their hydraulic servicing & engineering repairs.
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