Editorial - Sophie Preece

General Manager: Marcus Pickens 03 577 9299 or 021 831 820 marcus@winemarlborough.nz Editor: Sophie Preece 027 308 4455 sophie@sophiepreece.co.nz Marketing and Communications: Sarah Linklater 021 704 733 sarah@winemarlborough.nz Events Manager: Loren Coffey loren@winemarlborough.nz Advocacy Manager: Nicci Armour advocacy@winemarlborough.nz Advertising: Joanna May advertising@winemarlborough.nz Grape Grower Directors: Anna Laugesen anna@craiglochart.co.nz Kirsty Harkness kirsty@mountbase.co.nz Michiel Eradus michiel@eraduswines.co.nz Nigel Sowman nigel@dogpoint.co.nz Tracy Johnston tracy@dayvinleigh.co.nz Wine Company Directors: Beth Forrest beth@forrest.co.nz Damien Yvon damien@closhenri.com Gus Altschwager gus@akwines.net James Macdonald james@hunters.co.nz Jamie Marfell Jamie.Marfell@pernod-ricard.com Designed by: Blenheim Print Ltd 03 578 1322

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From the Editor

AS MARLBOROUGH’S wine industry seeks a ‘new normal’ amid continued global upheaval, strong board representation is vital. There’s just one Marlborough Winegrowers board position up for election this year, with a grower representative position open to nominations. And it’s never been more important for a diverse and skilled segment of the industry to step up and help steer the region to a new normal, says Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens.

The Covid-19 pandemic - with associated challenges in markets, logistics, labour force, event management and wine tourism - has made the past 30 months some of the most complex in the history of Marlborough’s modern wine industry, which turns 50 next year (see page 18). “Our board has grappled with all of these issues, working with New Zealand Winegrowers and Government to try and ease the extreme pressure on our members and their workforce,” says Marcus.

And that work is reaping rewards, including the new Marlborough Cellar Door Steering Committee, developed as part of a tourism ‘reset’ for the region via the Marlborough Destination Management Plan (see page 10). “That initiative, and our steering group, has taken the pressure of Covid-19 and forged something good out of it,” says Marcus.

That’s not the only silver lining to be found in the clouds of recent years, says Marlborough Winegrowers board member Anna Laugesen on page 5. “Ultimately, if navigating the extraordinary global events of the past few years has taught us anything, it would be that as an industry we are able to cope with whatever challenges are thrown our way,” says Anna, also noting that when logistics eventually improve, “new efficiencies and innovations will undoubtedly come to light”.

But despite the great resilience showed by the industry, the road ahead is far from smooth, including for growers facing weather challenges, labour shortages and relentlessly rising costs. “We hope our grape grower members will engage with the election process and get excited by the prospect of representing the industry, this election round and into the future,” says Marcus. “Our industry needs great people at the table if it is to reach its potential in the new normal.” Find dates relevant to the election process on Wine Happenings on page 28.

“Our industry needs great people at the table if it is to reach its potential in the new normal.”

Marcus Pickens

SOPHIE PREECE