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Cyclone Gabrielle, which devastated New Zealand's North Island and the wine-growing regions of Hawke's Bay and Gisbourne for four days, may have caused the equivalent of eight billion euros worth of damage. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called Gabrielle the "biggest natural disaster" of the 21st century and Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the cost of rebuilding could be similar to that after the Christchurch earthquake in 2011.

The greatest damage was caused by flash floods and landslides, which destroyed roads, railway tracks, houses and crops. According to initial estimates, eleven people died, dozens more were injured and about 10,000 were left homeless. People are being rescued by helicopters or supplied with food and water.

Vineyards in the cyclone-hit regions are assessing the damage and the impact on the harvest that has just started. Many say they will not be able to harvest or process grapes in 2023, as many vineyards and wineries were buried under mud. Even the less affected farms are facing power outages and water shortages. Hawke's Bay and Gisborne are New Zealand's second and third largest wine producing regions respectively. In 2022, they together produced 12 per cent of the country's total production.

Winemakers in other regions of New Zealand have expressed sympathy for their friends and colleagues in the North. Matt Mitchell from Marisco Vineyards in Marlborough says in an interview with the news portal drinksbusiness: "We have just witnessed the North Island of New Zealand being completely devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle and are very aware of how difficult or impossible the 2023 harvest will be for so many of our fellow winemakers. For us in the South Island, now is not the time to complain about the weather or less than ideal growing conditions.".

(Source: drinksbusiness, wine-searcher; Photo: drinksbusiness)

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