Marsovin pressed a record 1.3 million kilos of grapes this year, just over half the total grapes harvested in Malta, and an increase of 79 per cent over last year's harvest, the wine-maker said.

The bulk of the grapes pressed by the winery, 96 per cent, which came in 10 varieties of white and 14 varieties of red grapes, are destined to be used for DOK (Denominazzjoni ta' Oriġini Kontrollata) and IĠT (Indikazzjoni Ġeografika Tipika) wines.

Marsovin director Jeremy Cassar said the 2008 harvest was an excellent vintage especially in terms of quality.

The record harvest is the fruit of its work reaped from 199 tumoli of Marsovin's own estates; 1,096 tumoli of vineyards managed by Marsovin, but owned by 240 contracted farmers; and another 175 vine growers, who between them supply Marsovin with about 350,000 kilos of its two indigenous varieties, Ġellewza and Girgentina.

The demand for Marsovin's quality wines is increasing, notwithstanding the widespread importation of foreign wines and the company is seeking to plant another 300 tumoli of land this year.

Mr Cassar said that by 2010 the company was aiming to reach a total of at least 1,600 tumoli in order to cater for the growing demand of its wines.

Marsovin will be working very closely with the 380 members of the Association of Maltese Viticulturists, which represents the large majority of vine growers in Malta and Gozo.