Agnew Wines have taken off 100 tonnes of chardonnay, which winemaker Jeff Byrne said was “as clean as a whistle”.

Mr Byrne said while the yield was down about 20 per cent, the quality of the grapes was very high.

Last year about 40 per cent of grapes had to be dropped, whereas 100 per cent of the grapes have been collected this year.

“We’re pretty excited about the quality,” Mr Byrne said.

The sémillon is set to come off on Monday night, followed by the verdelho and then the reds including the Bourdeax-style malbec, Spanish tempranillo and the shiraz.

Mr Byrne said he was “nervously excited” about the shiraz, which will be picked in two to three weeks.

The winemaker said if the weather did not get too hot or wet, the winery was on track for success.

The progress was similar over at Usher Tinkler Wines, where the chardonnay has also been taken off the vines.

Mr Tinkler also reported a drop in yield of about 25 per cent, but said things “couldn’t be better”.

He even predicted a superior result than the amazing 2014 vintage.

“2014 was an exceptional year but I think this is going to be better,” he said.

He said this year the grapes have ripened naturally rather than through dehydration as they did in 2014.

The sémillon will come off next week along with the prosecco, a rarity to be grown in the Hunter Valley.

The rosé and shiraz are set to be picked the following week.

Mr Tinkler said the rain that was forecast for the end of this week would not have an impact as the ground was so dry, and a bit of water would even be good for the vines.