Picking has started at Bendigo and Quartz Reef owner Rudi Bauer said his crop was looking great.
"It is a little lighter than expected but that's mainly due to the canopy management we undertake, which provides better fruit quality and therefore better wine,'' he said.
About 4.5 tonnes per hectare is expected from Quartz Reef vineyards.
Gibbston valley viticulturist Domenic Mondillo, who also owns Mondillo Wines, said the Gibbston valley vines at Bendigo were looking superb.
Picking began on Wednesday and the fruit was "absolutely fantastic,'' Mr Mondillo said.
"We have had an absolutely wonderful summer and the weather has been very co-operative, with autumn looking pretty sharp as well,'' he said. He expects an average of about six tonnes per hectare.
Picking was expected to continue right through April and maybe a little into May, he said.
Felton Road wine maker Blair Walter was also praising the fantastic growing season and said the vines were looking very healthy.
"Good weather and healthy vines can guarantee an excellent quality wine,'' he said.
Picking began at Felton Road on Tuesday.
Central Otago Wine growers president Martin Anderson said growers were expecting the biggest crop so far for Central Otago.
"It looks like a big crop and it has been a pretty good season.
"We should be in full swing in the middle of next week and then we will better be able to see how the season's treating us. It rained last weekend at Easter and there is rain forecast this weekend so everyone's keeping their fingers crossed.
"We're pretty much there with the ripeness and we just don't need the wet,'' he said.
Wineries are expected to be working day and night to cope as all the crops ripen in a fairly short space of time, Mr Anderson said.
