(NZHerald) - Wine exports have reached a record high and now stand at $1.37 billion - up 8.2 per cent.

The increase propelled wine to New Zealand's sixth largest export, New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said.

Strong demand in key markets had boded well for the wine industry - currently harvesting its 2015 vintage.

"Prospects for a high quality vintage are looking very positive due to the superb summer weather the warm dry summer of 2015 has been absolutely perfect for growing and ripening grapes.

"As we move into autumn the prospect is for an outstanding, albeit smaller, vintage in all our grape-growing regions."

The 2015 vintage was expected to be significantly smaller than last year, but sales in the year ahead would be supported by retained stocks from the 2014 vintage, Gregan said.