Tracking meteorological trends is useful to grape growers, with frosts, sunshine and other climate conditions affecting the success of a crop. Agnew’s team uses the data for mathematical modelling to predict things like when sauvignon blanc grapes will flower, when the veraison or ripening period starts, and how early harvest will be. Jess Parker Rob Agnew shares his research into grapevines as liaison scientist at Hort Research back in 2005. “It gives grape growers a heads-up about the turning of the season, helps them to plan and manage their vineyards,” Agnew said. “For example, this season was probably the earliest harvest we’ve had. Bud burst and flowering was all very early. Climate warming does bring everything forward.”