Winepress - April 2024

WinePro

From vine to wine

WINEPRO New Zealand will be an “immersive experience”, bringing together more than 70 industry suppliers from around the world, and the latest innovations and technologies, says show organiser Gary FitzRoy. “As participants immerse themselves in the world of WinePro New Zealand, they’ll experience first-hand the passion and dedication that make New Zealand a global powerhouse in wine production.”

The inaugural WinePro, being held in Blenheim from June 25 to 27, has been developed with support from Wine Marlborough and Marlborough District Council (MDC), and from an expert steering group that helped develop content for education sessions running across the three days. The event will include an industry-led conference themed ‘Innovate, Elevate, Celebrate’, with discussions on emerging trends, sustainable practices and technological advancements, and MDC economic development portfolio manager Mark Unwin (see page 6) says it’s an important opportunity to bring visibility to the innovations happening in the region. “Marlborough is a great place for new agritech businesses to start up, with world class research, access to early customers, and the new Tech and Innovation Hub opening in July 2024. Events like WinePro provide a showcase to this.”

Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens says New Zealand’s wine industry is known for its curiosity and innovation, and an ability to take new research and technology into the field and winery. “It’s an ingenuity that helped Marlborough Wine become what it is in 50 short years. Now we are seeing groundbreaking startups working with future-focused growers and wine companies to supercharge that innovation. WinePro will be an exciting showcase of how far we have come, and how we can continue to make ever better wines while protecting the environment that grows them.”

Marcus says MDC, Wine Marlborough and Expertise Events have found excellent industry guidance from the steering group, comprised of Tracy Atkin, Heath Stafford and Ben McLauchlan. “ They have helped us build an exciting series of education sessions that will shine a light on innovations changing our industry right now, as well as those on the horizon.” The educational programme will be released in April, with daily ticket options, as well as the full programme of sessions.

Chandler Glass and Packaging, Grapeworks New Zealand, Hydralada, Olavin and Winequip are some of the companies set to present their products and services at the event, along with innovators like Australian company Vintrace, with ‘wine cloud’ technology, and French company Fermentis, experts in yeasts and fermentation. BRI will run Grape Days Marlborough in the lead up to the event, sharing industry research on Monday June 24. winepro.co.nz