Grape crops hit by mildew

Powdery mildew has been spotted in vineyards across Marlborough, and contractors have their workers fighting to keep the disease at bay. Some are spraying their vineyards, while others are simply cutting off the affected fruit. Alapa Viticultural Services owner Alan Wilkinson said at least three vineyards had been written off as a result of powdery mildew. “It’s quite significant. It’s definitely worse than last year,” he said. “It gets into the bunches and taints the fruit and the fruit gets sooty white spores. “It’s not very pretty.”