Geographe Vignerons Association president Wayne Hammond recently said this year’s harvest would produce a smaller but good quality crop with fewer problems with disease than last year.

"The general feedback from growers has been very good. Last year, many growers reported incidences of powdery mildew caused by an onset of late rain in the growing season," Mr Hammond said.

"As there hasn’t been a lot of rain this growing season, the dry conditions have been better in relation to fungal diseases affecting the crops."

Mr Hammond said other concerns raised by growers included the increase in licence fees for small producers and the rise in the Australian dollar making local produce more expensive in overseas markets.

Willow Bridge Estate managing director Jeff Dewar said he expected an increased yield from five to 10 per cent from last year.

"Due to the early red gum blossom, bird damage has been very low, and there has been a very low percentage of sunburn in some varieties," Mr Dewar said.

"Exposing the reds early in the growing season has helped keep this to a minimum."

Mr Dewar said due to the grape glut and falling market prices, Willow Bridge would be crushing 40 to 50 tonnes less than last year because less fruit was brought in from other suppliers.

Although Willow Bridge is well known for its outstanding shiraz, Mr Dewar was excited about producing a premium chardonnay for the first time, which is expected to be released in May 2011.