A marked increase in New Zealand's grape harvest this year has been driven by strong yields and a young vineyard estate which continues to mature. The New Zealand Winegrowers Association estimated the harvest was up 23% to 328,000 tonnes, Rabobank said in its quarterly wine report released this week. The wine regions of Marlborough (up 34%), Waipara (68%), Nelson (32%) and Central Otago (15%) lifted production in the South Island, while less favourable conditions further north impacted on Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, which were down 9% and 21%, respectively.