Winepress December 2017 by Winepress Magazine

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF WINE MARLBOROUGH

ISSUE NO. 276 / DECEMBER 2017

LABOUR SUMMIT

BUNCH COUNTS

Photo: Jim Tannock

wine-marlborough.co.nz

COMPLIANCE COMPLICATIONS

STELLAR CELLARS

Spray AFTER rain (and catch them in the act)

HML32 and additives Hit powdery mildew ascospores before and after germination The post-flowering period is critical for disease control Up to a month after completion of flowering is the time when the crop is most susceptible to botrytis and powdery mildew infection. Rain events will trigger chasmothecia ascospore release. Warm weather will lead to rapid transformation of spore to mycelium. Tight spray intervals (7-10 days) during this period are critical for both powdery mildew and botrytis control. Applying a preventative cover spray, with significant eradicant activity AFTER a rain event is a highly effective strategy. The two spray options are shown in the table below, which deliver on both powdery mildew and botrytis. Scan the QR code for recommended preventative spray programme, or go to http://www.henrymanufacturing.co.nz/fungal-diseases/ powdery-mildew-and-botrytis-spray-programme-2017.pdf.

Spray mix Option 1

HML32 (1.25L/100L), Sulphur (label rate) HML Silco (425g powder per 100L, or 540ml liquid per 100L)

Spray mix Option 2

HML32 (1.25L/100L), Sulphur (label rate) Copper fungicide (label rate)

Henry Manufacturing Ltd Visit www.henrymanufacturing.co.nz Call Chris Henry on 027 294 1490 email chris@henrymanufacturing.co.nz or contact your local technical advisor.

this issue... REGULARS

FEATURES

3 4

6 17

Editorial

From the Board - Tom Trolove Tasman Crop Met Report Gen Y-ine - Kimberley Matthews The Block - Konrad

Industry News

ANZ Wine Happenings

Winepress Index

Labour Summit Wine Marlborough held its third Labour Summit last week, in the wake of data showing the top of the south has unemployment levels of just 2.2%, against a national 4.6% for the September 2017 quarter.

10 Bunch Counts

Marlborough’s crop loads are likely to be below average in 2018, and well down on last year’s problematic loads, according to spring counts.

16 Stellar Cellars

Two of Marlborough’s oldest family-owned cellar doors – Hunter’s and Bladen shared top spot in the Wine Marlborough Cellar Door of the Year Competition last month.

Cover: More wine companies are transforming vineyard and winery waste into rich compost. Photo by Jim Tannock

Winepress December 2017 / 1

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General Manager: Marcus Pickens 03 577 9299 marcus@wine-marlborough.co.nz Editor: Sophie Preece 027 308 4455 sophie@sophiepreece.co.nz Advertising: Harriet Wadworth 03 577 9299 harriet@wine-marlborough.co.nz Wine Marlborough Board: Ben Ensor ben.lisa@clear.net.nz Callum Linklater callum@csviticulture.co.nz Jack Glover jack.glover@accolade-wines.co.nz Michael Wentworth michael.wentworth@yealands.co.nz Nick Entwistle nick@wairauriverwines.co.nz Simon Bishell simon@caythorpe.nz Stuart Dudley stuartd@villamaria.co.nz Tom Trolove tom.trolove@framingham.co.nz Tracy Johnston Tracy@dayvinleigh.co.nz

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From the Editor Marlborough’s wine industry’s growth has met predictions over the past two years, as has the consequent pressure on labour, accommodation and services. The Labour Market Survey released early in 2016 indicated a 24% increase in labour demand by 2020, and has had a “somewhat daunting” level of accuracy (pg 9). Labour stresses are largely due to vineyard area growth, but have been exacerbated by the strengthening economy and subsequent competition for labour in other industries, including the construction sector. On one hand, the wine industry needs a full pool of trades and builders, to ensure the region has the accommodation to house permanent and seasonal wine industry staff. On the other, it doesn’t need the added competition for labour, in a region with the lowest unemployment levels in the country. It’s a complicated situation with no simple solution, but Wine Marlborough’s White Paper has six work streams including Workforce Planning and Development, and Good Employment Practice - tasked with protecting and proliferating the permanent and seasonal labour supply. As well as looking at labour challenges, bunch counts and Marlborough’s new Urgent Care Centre, this month’s Winepress celebrates the work of the two Cellar Door Personalities of the Year (pg 16). Kimberley Matthews (Brancott Estate) and Dave Macdonald (Bladen) both received a 100% rating from the mystery shoppers tasked with finding the region’s stars. The top cellar door prize was shared by Hunter’s and Bladen, showing the huge value of smaller, family owned wine companies to the region. Doublewinner Dave says story is key to a great cellar door experience. “I have been doing this for a long time and what I have discovered is that the more people can actually relate to you and your story, the more you develop a common bond.” Winepress will welcome in 2018 with its first ever January edition, looking at the impact of corporate social responsibility on individual businesses and their employees, on the wider community and on the reputation of Marlborough’s wine industry. Until then, have a fantastic festive (and growing) season!

“It’s a complicated situation with no simple solution.”

SOPHIE PREECE

Disclaimer: The views and articles that are expressed and appear in Winepress are entirely those of contributors and in no way reflect the policy of the Marlborough Winegrowers. Any advice given, implied or suggested should be considered on its merits, and no responsibility can be taken for problems arising from the use of such information.

Winepress December 2017 / 3

From the Board TOM TROLOVE

I RECENTLY accepted the role of Chair of the Marlborough Winegrowers board, so have spent some time thinking about where our wine industry stands right now, and all the opportunities for the future. Marlborough has been incredibly lucky with its unique natural attributes, which allow us to grow grapes and make wine like nowhere else in the world, including Sauvignon Blanc that places us amongst the greats. Our distinctive combinations of soils and climate, terrain and diurnal fluctuations are worth celebrating and the results are worth protecting. They have put us on the map as one of the most recognised winegrowing regions in the world. That recognition is illustrated by the fact that so many winegrowing countries of the world are represented in Marlborough, taking their place in our story and affirming our global appeal. I don’t believe any other region has this kind of global investment. They are here because they know this tiny corner of the globe is special and its wines can be extraordinary. But it is now time to challenge ourselves and ask what will help us continue to successfully build our industry. What differentiates brand Marlborough? How can we continue to improve our quality? How can we continue to command a premium for a bottle of Marlborough wine, and indeed increase that price? Relying on our natural attributes and historical reputation is not enough to ensure we retain our place amongst 4 / Winepress December 2017

the leading wine regions, and indeed step up to surpass their ranks. We should be benchmarking ourselves against the greatest wine regions of the world, including the likes of Burgundy, Napa Valley and Champagne. We need to aim big – to be the greatest winegrowing region in the world - and we need to constantly evolve and develop our industry, starting with a vision and strategy that will take a differentiated brand Marlborough into the future.

“We need to aim big – the greatest winegrowing region in the world.” Tom Trolove That brand will rely on our respect and protection of our environment, and of the people we rely on to produce our vines and wines. It will pay homage to this place, its people

and the quality of its many styles and varieties. It will look to the innovation and research that have been a major aspect of our industry for the past 40 years, and will continue to drive us towards better soils, vines, wines and marketing. I believe we have four key target audiences, including our members, our critics and influencers, our global consumers and, increasingly, our tourist visitors. I note with interest that one in four visitors to New Zealand visits a vineyard or winery, and we are only just beginning to tap into the potential those visitors have as our story tellers, brand ambassadors and loyal consumers. After all, Marlborough exports an extraordinary 85% of our wine to the same markets most of these tourists come from. That provides a unique opportunity to leverage off their experiences. But we – Wine Marlborough, grape growers and wine companies, local, national and multinational – need to be the loudest brand ambassadors of all, making sure our vineyards, wines and reputation are ever evolving and ever improving, to be as great as we can be.

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Winepress December 2017 / 5

MET REPORT Air Temperature

Table 1: Blenheim Weather Data – November 2017 November November 2017 November Period November 2017 Compared LTA of LTA 2016 to LTA GDD’s for: Month - Max/Min¹ 153.8 106% 144.7 (1996-2016) 167.7 Month – Mean² 154.9 106% 145.5 (1996-2016) 160.4 Growing Degree Days Total Jul - Nov 17 – Max/Min 382.5 116% 330.7 (1996-2016) 368.9 Jul - Nov 17 – Mean 425.9 111% 383.6 (1996-2016) 406.0 Mean Maximum (°C) 19.9 = 19.9 (1986-2016) 20.5 Mean Minimum (°C) 10.3 +0.9°C 9.4 (1986-2016) 10.7 Mean Temp (°C) 15.1 +0.4°C 14.7 (1986-2016) 15.6 Grass Frosts (<= -1.0°C) 0 - 0.50 (1986-2016) 1 Air Frosts (0.0°C) 0 Equal 0.0 (1986-2016) 0 Sunshine hours 246.5 103% 239.5 (1930-2016) 232.3 Sunshine hours – lowest 158.9 1985 Sunshine hours – highest 322.5 1997 Sunshine hours total – 2017 2285.4 103% 2215.7 (1930-2016) 2338.3 Rainfall (mm) 16.4 35% 47.3 (1930-2016) 86.4 Rainfall (mm) – lowest 4.6 1930 Rainfall (mm) – highest 154.6 1999 Rainfall total (mm) – 2017 569.8 96% 591.9 (1930-2016) 571.0 Evapotranspiration – mm 121.1 98% 123.3 (1996-2016) 126.6 Avg. Daily Windrun (km) 247.3 81% 303.9 (1996-2016) 275.2 Mean soil temp – 10cm 16.3 +1.4°C 14.9 (1986-2016) 15.4 Mean soil temp – 30cm 17.7 +1.1°C 16.6 (1986-2016) 16.8 ¹GDD’s Max/Min are calculated from absolute daily maximum and minimum temperatures ²GDD’s Mean are calculated from average hourly temperatures November 2017 recorded a slightly above average mean temperature, average sunshine hours, well below average rainfall and wind-run. Table 2: Weekly weather data during November 2017 Mean (°C) 1st - 7th 22.0 8th - 14th 18.1 15th - 21st 18.4 22nd - 28th 20.9 29th – 30th (2 days) 20.5 19.9 1st – 30th Oct 2017 (=) November LTA 19.9 (1986 – 2016) LTA – Long Term Average 6 / Winepress December 2017

Mean Mean Rainfall (°C) (°C) Deviation (mm) 11.7 16.8 (+2.1) 16.4 9.0 13.6 (-1.1) 0 7.8 13.1 (-1.6) 0 12.1 16.5 (+1.8) 0 13.1 16.8 (+2.1) 0 10.3 15.1 (+0.4) 16.4 (+0.9) (35%) 9.4 14.7 47.3

Sunshine (hours) 67.0 60.0 59.7 53.8 6.0 246.5 (103%) 239.5

November 2017 started out very warm with the mean temperature for the first seven days 2.1°C above average. In contrast the second and third weeks of November were more than three degrees cooler than the first week. However, the temperature was again well above average in the last nine days of November. The warm, then cool, then warm temperatures during November are reflected in the growing degree day line for November 2017 in Figure 1. The fact that the November mean temperature was slightly above average was largely due to warmer night time temperatures rather than hotter days. The average minimum temperature was 0.9°C above average whereas the average maximum temperature was equal to the long-term average. Despite the average monthly minimum temperature being above average, there were a number of cool overnight temperatures recorded during November. The coolest temperatures were recorded on Tuesday 7th with an air minimum of 5.0°C and grass minimum of 0.2°C and on Wednesday 15th with an air minimum of 5.3°C and a grass minimum of -0.4°C (not quite cold enough to be recorded as a ground frost). The hottest day was Friday 24 November with a maximum air temperature of 27.9°C. Sunshine November recorded close to average sunshine hours. Total sunshine hours for the first 11 months of 2017 are also close to average. Rainfall Blenheim only received 16.4 mm rain in November, or 35% of the longterm average. 16.2 mm was recorded on

Figure 1: Normalized growing degree days for Blenheim: days above (+) or below (-) the long-term average (1990-2016) for the period 1 September to 31 December

7 November. The rain received on the 7 November was essentially the only rain recorded over the 27 days from 12 October to 7 November. No further rain was received for the 23 days from 8 to 30 November. Total rainfall for the 11-months January to November 2017 was 569.8 mm; 96% of the long-term average of 591.9 mm, however, it has been a dry spring in 2017. The three month rainfall, September to November 2017, was only 98.6mm, 64% of the longterm average of 154.9 mm. In contrast September to November 2016 recorded 171.4 mm. Marlborough was fortunate to receive relatively good rainfall in July and August 2017, which provided good soil moisture levels going into the spring, and as a result good early spring pasture growth. Soil Moisture Shallow soil moisture (0 to 35 cm depth) at the Grovetown Park weather station on 1 November was 22.5%. This

was quite a lot lower than the average value at the start of November (2003 to 2016) of 27.9%. This was due to the lack of rainfall from 12 to 31 October 2017. The 16.2 mm rain on 7 November only held soil moisture constant for a few days, without any appreciable increase. From 11 to 31 October the soil moisture fell from 20.2% to 15.2%; i.e. at the end of November the topsoil was close to being as dry as it can get. In the 2016/17 summer the shallow soil moisture did not fall to 15.2% until 15 January 2017, 45 days later than this current season. The 2017/2018 line in Figure 2 indicates how quickly the seasonal water balance for Blenheim has fallen, from zero on 1 October to -203.8 mm on 30 November. This means that over this two month period that there has potentially been 203.8 mm more water lost from evapotranspiration than gained from rainfall. This is a more rapid fall over this period than in any of the previous three years.

2014/15 and 2015/16 were drier earlier in the season. Comparing the 30 November value of -203.8 mm with the other years, we see that this value has occurred 21 days ahead 2016/17, 13 days later than 2015/16 and 7 days later than 2014/15. Without significant rainfall in December the 2017/18 line will continue to plummet. Bunch numbers, flowering and potential crop load in 2018 Assessments of inflorescence number per vine were carried out on monitored phenology blocks in Marlborough in mid-November 2017. Indications from these blocks were as follow: • Two Chardonnay blocks – very similar bunch numbers to 2016 • Two Pinot noir blocks – very similar bunch numbers to 2016 • Two Pinot gris blocks – almost identical bunch numbers to 2016 • Two Sauvignon blanc blocks in the Central Wairau and one Winepress December 2017 / 7

Figure 2: Seasonal water balance for Blenheim: difference between 3-month totals of rainfall and potential evapotranspiration

in the Brancott Valley – very similar bunch numbers to 2016 • One Sauvignon blanc block in the Upper Wairau Valley – about

85% of the bunch number of 2016 • One Sauvignon blanc block at Seaview in the Lower Awatere

Valley – very similar bunch numbers to 2016 • One Sauvignon blanc block in the Upper Awatere Valley – about 130% of the bunch number of 2016 As I am writing this article on 1 December 2017, flowering is just getting underway on monitored blocks of Sauvignon blanc in the Central Wairau plains. The weather forecast for the 10 days from 1 to 10 December is predicting daily maximums in the range of 25 to 30°C. For blocks of grapes that are in flower during these high temperatures we would expect a fairly rapid progress of flowering and above average fruitset. The result should be above average yield at harvest in 2018. Rob Agnew Plant & Food Research / Marlborough Research Centre

8 / Winepress December 2017

Labour Summit III Addressing Marlborough’s labour issues SOPHIE PREECE

MARLBOROUGH’S WINE industry labour requirements are tracking as predicted by the 2016 Labour Market Survey, which indicated a 24% increase in demand by 2020. Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens told last month’s Labour Summit III that recent assessments of vineyard area and labour demand show the survey’s “somewhat daunting” levels of accuracy. However, the industry and supporting sectors, including health services and the Marlborough District Council, were responding in a unified manner, following the work plan of a cross sector White Paper. “We want to give everyone assurance that the growth plan is being managed. We are investing time and financial resource to try to remain ahead of this. That is challenging, but the assuring thing is the White Paper really remains our guiding document.” Wine Marlborough’s new Advocacy Manager Vance Kerslake says the third summit was something of a “call to arms” to central and local Government, as well as the wine industry itself, to stay on top of the issue, and continue to drive the White Paper’s work streams. “Because this not something Wine Marlborough can do alone.” He spoke to the summit about the Good Employment Practices work steam, touching on the development of New Zealand Winegrowers’ Working For You guide, which advises industry members of employing and contracting labour in vineyards and wineries, along with the Working Well guide, focused

on health and safety. Vance congratulated industry Seasonal migrant labour is only one of the solutions. Photo by Richard members Briggs on good induction processes, and spoke of the vital labour accommodation, since the role of Wine Marlborough’s Labour first Labour Summit in 2016. The St Coordinator. Andrews development alone has 400 NMIT Head of Department beds on site, which represents 270 Sue Blackmore spoke to the group additional beds in the region. “That’s about the Workforce Planning and a significant development and that’s Development work stream, and the the scale we are starting to see,” Neil various training opportunities being says. “Quite large urban dwellings developed at all levels of education, specifically built for vineyard workers from secondary school and on the job who are coming in from overseas. training to tertiary degrees. That not only provides vineyard Marlborough District Council accommodation, but frees up rental strategic planning and economic accommodation in Blenheim.” development manager Neil Henry The summit followed hard on the spoke about accommodation pressures, heels of Statistics New Zealand data and the amount of land available for that shows unemployment in the Top development. The Labour Survey of the South is just 2.2%, compared predicted that 189 additional houses to 3.6% for the South Island and 4.6% would be required for permanent nationwide. According to an NZIER workers by 2020, as well as 442 economic report, the wine industry additional beds for casuals and 600 directly accounts for one job in 10 in RSE approved beds. Marlborough, making it a key driver of Neil says on average 200 dwellings those record low levels, says Vance. are built in Marlborough per year, with However, in a strengthening half of those built in Blenheim. Recent economy, the industry’s labour issues rezoning means there are many sites are exacerbated by the demand from flagged for development, with some other industries, such as construction, available now and others awaiting forestry and aquaculture. “The wine infrastructure. That means council is industry has growth pressures and “quite comfortable” that the region’s that was challenging enough. But as accommodation needs can be met over the economy is picking up and other time, if those sites are progressed by sectors are growing, those challenges owners. are magnified.” He says there has also been a lot of discussion on purpose built vineyard Winepress December 2017 / 9

Yields Down Spring bunch counts indicate a drop in Marlborough’s grape crop SOPHIE PREECE

MARLBOROUGH’S CROP loads are likely to be below average in 2018, and well down on last year’s problematic loads, according to spring counts. Sileni Estate’s Group Viticulturist Stephen Bradley has already told contracting gangs that the company’s vines will not require crop thinning this summer, with bunch counts and size indicating a significant drop on this time last year. “Even if we get a good flowering we will have average yields at best,” he says. “I think with the weather pattern we are in, we potentially have a very good vintage ahead of us.” He says the predicted crop loads are lower than he had expected, with basal shoots particularly unfruitful, although that improves further down the vine. Some parts of the province are looking more loaded than others, and the likely scenario is that a cold November 2016 influenced the yields, he says. As well as promoting better quality, the lower yields will be a boon in a season that promises to be tight for vineyard labour, he adds. “And the yields are probably where they should be. We have got used to having some pretty big ones, but I don’t think it is good for either quality or risk.” Villa Maria Viticulturist Stu Dudley is seeing a similar pattern with the company’s bunch counts, with lower fruitfulness across all varieties. Spur-pruned blocks seem to have the lowest numbers and Sauvignon Blanc

10 / Winepress December 2017

Photo Richard Briggs

bunch numbers are definitely down on last year, he says. After a huge amount of work reducing yields last January and February, the lower crops may represent less time spent reducing crop on the vines this summer. “We could get a nice balance without too much manipulation in the vineyard.”

“We potentially have a very good vintage ahead of us.” Stephen Bradley Stu says the weeks leading up to mid-December are now key, and good hot conditions could set good bunch sizes. “We still think that with a good flowering, yields will be okay.”

Climate consultant Stu Powell says the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) suggests a La Niña weather pattern for summer. “It could be a cooler summer with increased cloudy days, but without the succession of rain events that accompanied last year.” With a predominance of settled anti-cyclonic weather, Marlborough often clouds in and the region relies on strong westerly quarter winds blowing over the Southern Alps to clear away the cloud, he says. “When the westerly winds break down, as they’re expected to this summer, increased cooler easterly breezes often push cloud into the region.” Stu says the warmest temperatures are likely to occur well inland, “where the cool sea breezes have been modified by a longer transgression over land.” However, it is difficult to say how the season will finish up, he adds. “La Niña carries about a 40% chance of the season ending wet, compared to about 20% with El Niño.”

Mechanical Shaking Viticultural advisor Mark Allen says growers should consider mechanical shaking in low yielding years, as a light setting will battle botrytis without reducing crop. “A light cropping year does not mean you won’t get botrytis. In fact you have a greater risk because disease will just reduce your harvest further.” Mark says the cost of shaking is $400 per hectare, whereas the cost of a heavy botrytis infection could The results of mechanical shaking on a light setting be more than $4,000 per Trial results over the past seven years have indicated hectare. “And it works an average of 55% reduction in botrytis each year as a very well on a light setting.” Approximately result of the shaking, he says. A statistical study as part of 90% of wine companies the New Zealand Winegrowers and Ministry for Primary Industries funded trial from 2011 to 2014 showed that such are now utilising mechanical shaking, and 50% of a reduction in the incidence of botrytis yielded a financial Marlborough’s grape land gets a shake over summer to benefit to the grower in eight years out of 10. prevent botrytis infection.

“A light cropping year does not mean you won’t get botrytis.” Mark Allen

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Winepress December 2017 / 11

Complicated Compliance Grape marc and wastewater report impacted by new environment plan SOPHIE PREECE

THE MARLBOROUGH District Council (MDC) plans to expand its annual winery waste report over the next year, to provide a more complete picture of compliance. Environmental Protection Officer Rachel Neal says the level of noncompliance indicated by the 2016/17 report was impacted by the application of the Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan (PMEP) rules, and did not account for the existing use rights of several wine companies. Under section 20A of the Resource Management Act, companies using discharge areas and compost pads that were established as a permitted activity under the Wairau Awatere Resource Management Plan (WARMP) are not required to comply with the MEP until it is fully operational (see sidebox). Rachel says levels of compliance would be approximately 22% higher if the eight non-compliant companies that have existing use rights were taken out of the mix. “The general sense was people were more aware and closely monitored their wastewater and solid waste as well.” The 2016/17 Winery Wastewater and Grape Marc Monitoring Report, presented to the MDC Environment Committee in October, states that 12 of the 36 wineries assessed in 2017 were fully compliant with all conditions or rules, giving them a ‘green’ on the council’s traffic light rating system. That was up from eight in 2016 and nine in 2015. One winery, down from three

12 / Winepress December 2017

in 2016, was assessed as technically noncompliant and three wineries were assessed as orange, up from one winery in 2016. Orange indicates relatively minor breaches requiring Increasingly, wine companies are transforming winery and vineyard waste into compost. Photo by Jim Tannock corrective action, while red shows noncompliance, and may demand remedial reports would look to adapt to the actions. Ten wineries, down from 13 change, while also advising wineries in 2016, had one condition or rule on the new PMEP rules. assessed as red. Another 10, up from Inspections at the wineries during seven, had two or more conditions or vintage did not identify significant rules assessed as red and/or orange. discharge issues or problems with The report notes that two of the leachate collection and odour from main areas of non-compliance were onsite grape marc piles. Ten wineries the discharge within 50 metres of composted their grape marc on site a bore and within a Soil Sensitive and then spread it under vines as a Area, which are new rules under soil conditioner. Eight wineries spread the council’s PMEP. Rachel says the their grape marc directly to land and use of those rules in reporting the 18 had their grape marc transported 2017 vintage makes any comparison offsite for compost, stockpiling or stock between that and 2016 vintage feed. compliance levels complicated. Future

Existing consents and the MEP Under the Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan (PMEP), wineries that have discharge areas or compost pads within 50 metres of a bore or within a Soil Sensitive Area will need to apply for resource consent, which will assess the environmental effects and determine whether the consent should be granted and, if granted, what measures need to be put in place for the discharge to continue. However, if discharge areas and compost pads were established as a permitted activity under the Wairau Awatere Resource Management Plan, section 20A of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) applies, which provides the wineries existing use rights that allow them to legally continue the discharge, provided the effects are similar in character, intensity and scale, until the PMEP becomes fully operative. Resource consent will need to be applied for within six months of the PMEP being operative.

Council Q&A Water Take Permit Charge THE MARLBOROUGH District Council has started invoicing for water monitoring, with an annual Water Take Permit charge of $260 per consent. Winepress asked Marlborough District Council Council Compliance Manager Gina Ferguson to provide some clarity around this new cost. Is this in addition to the annual administration fee historically charged? The annual water meter monitoring charge of $260 is inclusive of the annual monitoring administration charge. Provided your water take permit is in compliance with its conditions, no further monitoring charge is applied. Why has the new charge been enacted? Monitoring water take permits is

critical to the sustainable management of Marlboroughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freshwater resource. Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Resource Management Plans and the Resource Management (Measurement and Reporting of Water Takes) Regulations 2010, recognise the importance of water metering and reporting on water use. Council undertook an assessment of the costs of water take monitoring activities to council. Costs included staff time and resource, database maintenance, telemetry management, receipt and assessment of water data, installation, maintenance and communication of river and aquifer level monitoring stations, water class triggers and shutoffs, general administration of permits and reporting requirements. Historically these costs were principally being borne by general

ratepayers; this did not reflect the private versus public benefit consideration under the Resource Management Act 1991 and Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Revenue and Financing Policy. How much is the new monitoring charge worth to the MDC? The Water Meter monitoring charge generates revenue of approximately $320,000/per annum. How will that revenue be used? This revenue is to recover the costs to council of water take monitoring activities, including staff, data management, administration, and reporting, monitoring infrastructure and maintenance costs.

Winepress December 2017 / 13

Productivity, Quality and Pinot Noir Optimising Pinot Noir’s production parameters THE PRODUCTION potential of premium Pinot Noir is under the spotlight in a new large scale New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) research programme. “Productivity, Quality and Pinot Noir” aims to grow returns for the New Zealand wine industry by discovering how to produce 10 tonnes per hectare of grapes, yet maintain the quality standards typically achieved at six tonnes per hectare. A recipient of Endeavour Funding in 2017 from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the Pinot Noir research programme will receive $9.3 million

of Government investment over five years, combined with $1m from NZW and additional in-kind contributions from industry. The programme will run from 2018 to 2022. Researchers from a number of science disciplines will take an integrated approach to answering the overarching question of how to increase production of Pinot Noir while maintaining high quality in the finished wines. That will include an exploration of consumer preferences, vineyard management and the biochemistry of red wine, particularly in terms of the relationship between secondary

Lime & Fertiliser Spreading Available in Broadcast or Undervine Ph: 578 6580 or 0274 441 404 41 St Leonards Road, Blenheim, roseag@xtra.co.nz

14 / Winepress December 2017

metabolites and yield. “Big data” will also play a major role, sorting and analysing the chemical markers and grape physiology with the results from consumer preference studies. Each step of the way, researchers will produce experimental wines using grapes harvested from the associated viticultural trials along with novel winemaking techniques. Science partners include Plant & Food Research, Lincoln University, the University of Auckland, and participating wine companies.

Health Check New health centre will address GP shortfall A NEW urgent care centre in Blenheim will be able to see up to 70 people a day, including seasonal workers unable to get in to a general practice. Marlborough Primary Health Organisation (PHO) Chief Executive Beth Tester says the centre, which has been established beside Wairau Hospital’s emergency department, will be open from 8am to 8pm and will welcome transient winery and vineyard workers, including those in Marlborough on the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme (RSE). These people, who come from Pacific Islands for several months a year, are not registered with a doctor in Marlborough. “We would like to see this potentially as their healthcare home,” says Beth. As well as addressing the shortfall in GP capacity in the region, which means seasonal workers can struggle to access health care, the centre will also ensure continuity of care between seasons, “so we could maintain an overview of their health”, Beth says. “It is also a way for them to access care in a timely way, with no appointment necessary.” Experience has shown that as well as addressing RSE workers’ injuries

and illness, visiting a doctor in New Zealand can reveal longterm issues such as diabetes or cancer, and allow treatment plans Beth Tester at the new urgent care centre to be developed. “If it is diagnosed here, they are able to services. The PHO spoke to GPs and the majority asked for a standalone be linked into the system.” centre to deal with the region’s Beth was part of the inter-agency overflow of patients, she says. group that worked on the Wine The centre, a charitable entity, Marlborough White Paper, which has been established by the PHO and addressed issues around the region’s Marlborough Urgent GP After Hours business, as 50/50 partners. Beth says that while the centre has been established with seed money from the PHO and assistance from the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board, it will need to be self-sustaining going forward. Wine Marlborough Labour Coordinator Nicolette Prendergast is pleased to see the progress being made in pastoral care, including healthcare services for the RSE workers. “We do have a moral and social responsibility to them and this all part of being increasing need for labour. One of the major aspects of the paper was pastoral responsible for the people we recruit from the South Pacific.” care and the limitations of existing

“We would like to see this potentially as their healthcare home.” Beth Tester

IF YOU SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL

CATCH IT . SNAP IT . REPORT IT . Call MPI biosecurity hotline 0800 80 99 66 Winepress December 2017 / 15

Stellar Cellars Family owned cellar doors top the charts SOPHIE PREECE

TWO OF Marlborough’s oldest familyowned cellar doors shared top spot in the Wine Marlborough Cellar Door of the Year Competition last month. Hunter’s, which established its cellar door in 1982, shared the title with Chris and Dave Macdonald of Bladen, who planted vines in 1989 and opened their cellar door in 1998. Family owned Wairau River Wines came in third place, with boutique wine companies Johanneshof and Herzog in the final shortlist too. Dave, who also won Wine Marlborough Cellar Door Personality of the Year, sharing the accolade with Brancott Estate’s Kimberley Matthews,

Bladen’s Dave and Chris Macdonald

16 / Winepress December 2017

Julie Yonge, Jane Hunter and Helen Neame at Hunter’s

says story is key to a great cellar door experience. “It’s not about nuances of Sauvignon Blanc and whatever else. It’s more about us,” Dave says. “I have been doing this for a long time and what I have discovered is that the more people can actually relate to you and your story, the more you develop a common bond. If you are just talking wine and stats, it’s sort of go-to-sleep material.” Bladen certainly keeps it pretty close to home, with a total of five cellar door hosts since they set up shop. That number includes Chris and Dave, and their kids Blair and Deni, who helped out when home on school holidays. “But we never paid the kids. We fed them,” says Dave. The fifth host over the 20 years is Chris’s brother John, who attended the awards ceremony with Dave, and says passion and honesty make for a great

cellar door experience. Helen Neame, who has spent the past 23 years working at Hunter’s Wines, puts the win down to great stories and great wines, while her colleague Julie Yonge says you also need to see passion from the person presenting the wines. The timing is perfect for Hunter’s which launches its new cellar door this month, moving into the space vacated by the former restaurant. Jane Hunter says Hunter’s first wine tasting area was in a converted garage under the mulberry tree and it will be lovely to use the garden attached to the new space for tastings. But she laughs that perhaps she needn’t have spent the money on the renovation, given Hunter’s first equal placing in the cellar door competition. Wine Marlborough Marketing and Communications Coordinator Harriet Wadworth says the competition is about celebrating the region’s best cellar doors. “We have such an amazing team of cellar door hosts in Marlborough which the very close scores represented. It’s great to know that when visitors come to our cellar doors, they are getting a world class experience.”

Generation Y-ine Marlborough’s Cellar Door Personality of the Year SOPHIE PREECE

TELL KIMBERLEY Matthews your story and she’ll find you the wine to match. “When visitors walk through the doors we talk about them and what they like and where they’re from,” says the Brancott Estate Cellar Door host and Wine Marlborough Cellar Door Personality of the Year. “It’s really easy to sell the product because you’re just learning about the person and finding the wine that suits them.” That’s not always the wine they think they want, says 22-year-old Kimberley, who is known for letting 15-minute tastings stretch out to an hour, as she delves into a customer’s personality and place, then responds with the story of the vines and wines she thinks will broaden their horizons. It might mean introducing a new wine, or looking at something familiar in a new way, reintroducing people to a variety they often drink, without really knowing why. “You try something different with them and they fall in love with it even more.” As she questions me on my typical wine choices - then prepares tastings that extend and challenge them - it is easy to see how Kimberley gained a 100% mark from the mystery shoppers commissioned by the Cellar Door Competition. Every wine has a story to tell, and every vine and vineyard has personality, she says. “It’s amazing how something like Sauvignon Blanc can grow so differently here in Marlborough, compared to the North Island or further abroad. Every single variety is different depending on the

environment and if you think about that, there’s a person for every wine as well.” Her own story begins in Marlborough, stretching back five generations of farming families on both sides. Her mother’s family farmed on Rapaura Rd, now colonised by grapes, but Kimberley had little interest in the region’s burgeoning grape crops when she was growing up. It was only when she moved to Wellington and realised she knew a lot about the wines she and her friends were drinking, that the wine industry started to pique her interest.

“There’s a person for every wine as well.” Kimberley Matthews Nonetheless, when she moved back to Marlborough two years ago and accepted a job at Brancott Estate, she was more interested in the restaurant side of the facility, calling on her hospitality background. “I didn’t know anything about the

wines but I fell in love with it, because it was really interesting.” She soaked up information from the winemakers, viticulturists and cellar door team, learning to understand and tell the stories of the vines, seasons and wines. “We are the people who get to really finish that off, tie it all up and present it to the visitor.” She says the majority of people who visit are novice wine tasters and there can be some awkwardness around perceived wine etiquette. “You try to help them relax and to realise there is no one right way to taste the wine. If you smell or taste something, you are not wrong.” Brancott Restaurant and Cellar Door team leader Samara Thomson took in a deep breath when she heard of the perfect score in last month’s Cellar Door Personality of the Year competition, knowing her protégé could well deliver that mark. In the past two years Kimberley has shown a “depth of talent”, including a natural ability to communicate with people and a natural passion for learning, says Samara. “This is just the beginning for her.”

Winepress December 2017 / 17

The Block The Waihopai Valley was sheep country when Konrad and Sigrun Hengstler put down new roots SOPHIE PREECE

TASTING A Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc in the early 1990s changed the course of Konrad Hengstler’s life. The German-born, Australian-based businessman became fascinated by Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and its scarcity on the Australian market. A quarter of a century on, Konrad exports Marlborough wine to 19 countries around the world, including the certified organic Sauvignon Blanc that earned a trophy at the recent Bragato wine awards. Meanwhile, the Waihopai Valley, which was wool country when he and his wife Sigrun arrived in 1995, is highly sought after grape land, with vines stretching across the glacial plain and seldom a sheep in sight. “We are 7km from Renwick and I was a pioneer,” he says from the quiet Waihopai. “The local people thought I was nuts. But now you can drive another 15km and there are still grapes growing up there.” Konrad grew up in a little village near Germany’s Black Forest, but moved to Cape Town in South Africa to learn English when he was 20. “I had the choice of going to university or doing something in the big world. I wanted to become a chef, cook and

18 / Winepress December 2017

travel on a cruise ship, but because I grew up in a butchery business, my father didn’t want me to be a chef, but to become a butcher.” South Africa was an appealing alternative, but Konrad moved back to Germany after two years and began working for furniture hardware company Häfele. After travelling throughout Australasia for work, he “fell in love” with Australia and New Zealand, and in 1977 started a subsidiary for Häfele in Melbourne. Konrad started the business in his bedroom with a Telex machine and by the 1990s, it had 100 employees. However, marriage to Sigrun and the arrival of a baby son motivated the search for change, and they sought a career that involved “something exciting” out in the fresh air. Konrad looked at salmon, oyster, mussel and deer farming, before tasting the Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc and casting his eyes to New Zealand’s wine industry. “I found out quickly that if you want to make really good Sauvignon Blanc, you have to go to Marlborough.” In 1995, he and Sigrun travelled to a 24-hectare farm up the Waihopai

Valley, not passing the new plantings of Johnson Estate, then wide arid acres of dryland farming. “I saw the land here and there were sheep on it, and I thought, ‘that’s it, let’s buy it’,” he says. The block was affordable and he predicted it would be good for aromatics, with stone and schist underfoot, along with warm days and cold nights, more extreme than those in Marlborough’s established wine growing areas. Convinced by the prospect, he sold his share in the furniture hardware business and planted 16ha of grapes, putting in Sauvignon Blanc for himself and Riesling for Sigrun, who was convinced that the variety would have a “renaissance”. They intended to be growers, but soon realised that would limit their opportunities, says Konrad “Marketing around the world was a lot more exciting and there’s more money in it, so I decided we would make a brand.” His first iteration was simply “Marlborough”, but when he took it to the market in Germany, where the region was totally unknown, he was asked whether it had something to do with cigarettes. He went back to the

drawing board and devised Konrad and Conrad, with the second name for the couple’s first son. When their second son was born, they called him Carlo, and shortened the label to Konrad and Co. The latest rebrand is Konrad, which is a name “that sticks”, says its namesake. He also needed a winemaker to kick-start the brand, and approached Brent Marris, who was at that stage setting up Wither Hills and needed more fruit. Konrad negotiated to sell Brent half his fruit in return for winemaking services. That worked for six years, until Wither Hills had the fruit it needed, at which stage Konrad contracted Jeff Sinnott to be his consultant winemaker. “We grow it here and I sell it, but the making in between we do through contract facilities,” he says. Germany is one of the company’s biggest markets now, but in the early days Konrad struggled to make ground there, taking four years to sell his first container of wine. England was easier and he could have sold his whole production there, but was at pains to avoid dependence on any one market. “Now we export to 19 countries, but no one is doing more than 15% of our turnover”. As the business grew, Konrad realised he needed a red wine on his books, so planted 100 Merlot, 100 Syrah, 100 Cabernet Sauvignon and 100 Pinot Noir vines. Three years later Pinot had proven itself and he pulled out or top grafted the other plants to establish his Pinot vineyard. “So then we had a Sauvignon, a Pinot and a Riesling.” In the years since, he has planted Gruner Vetliner and Gewürztraminer, but is increasingly looking to the success of his Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, including the highly lauded Noble Riesling and Noble 2, a mix of Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. The change to organics happened 10 years ago, when Konrad became concerned at having to send his family to town every time they sprayed. “I couldn’t see the sense of living in the middle of vineyard and being in paradise if you were surrounded by so much poison. The reason that we turned organic is I wanted the land to be sustainable and preserve it for future generations.” It was a personal choice that had marketing ramifications for the Konrad label, which is sold only in small privately owned liquor stores or in bars and restaurants, where the story of organics holds great appeal, he says. “It doesn’t get us more money, but it is definitely a good marketing tool.”

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Industry News Air New Zealand Wine Awards Marlborough’s diversity was showcased at this year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards, with a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the region taking the two top spots. The Isabel Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 won the Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show trophy, as well as the Rabobank Champion Chardonnay trophy, while the O-I New Zealand Reserve Wine of the Show trophy, went to the Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016. Chair of Judges Warren Gibson says the Isabel Chardonnay Marlborough 2016, made by Jeremy McKenzie (pictured, right, with Air New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Bruce Parton) was a very classy example of the Chardonnay in this year’s competition. “It has a beautiful balance of components with a rich long finish. It’s packed with flavour but still maintains a remarkable lightness on its feet.” Isabel Estate Vineyard planted their first vineyards in 1980 and have some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in the region. Jeremy says the company’s philosophy is simple. “Respect the soil where the grapes grow and allow the unique characters of each vineyard and variety to be expressed in the final wine.” Warren says the Dashwood Pinot Noir, which also won the JF Hillebrand New Zealand Champion Pinot Noir trophy, has perfume and length “with elegant tannins and a lingering and powerful finish”. Air New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Bruce Parton says the airline is proud to have sponsored the New Zealand wine industry’s official awards for 31 years. “Through our partnership with New Zealand Winegrowers we are committed to championing the success of the industry right around the world, both through these awards, as well as by working together to help grow wine tourism”. There were 1,300 wines entered in this year’s competition, and Marlborough won 12 of the 17 trophies awarded: Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show Isabel Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 O-I New Zealand Reserve Wine of the Show Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 JF Hillebrand New Zealand Champion Pinot Noir Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 Label and Litho Limited Champion Sauvignon Blanc Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley, Marlborough 2017

20 / Winepress December 2017

Rabobank Champion Chardonnay Isabel Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 Dish Magazine Champion Open Red Wine Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016 Bayleys Real Estate Champion Merlot, Cabernet and Blends Villa Maria Cellar Selection Organic Merlot Hawke’s Bay 2016 Fruitfed Supplies Champion Syrah Coopers Creek Reserve Syrah Hawke’s Bay 2016 Guala Closures New Zealand Champion Pinot Gris Saddleback Pinot Gris Central Otago 2017 New World Champion Open White Wine Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley Marlborough 2017 New Zealand Winegrowers Champion Sweet Wine Forrest Botrytised Riesling Marlborough 2016 Plant & Food Research Champion Riesling Mount Riley Riesling Marlborough 2017 Quay Connect Champion Other White Styles Nautilus Albariño Marlborough 2017 Riedel New Zealand Champion Gewürztraminer Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewürztraminer Marlborough 2016 WineWorks Champion Sparkling Wine Aotea by the Seifried Family Méthode Traditionnelle Nelson NV New Zealand Winegrowers Champion Exhibition White or Sparkling Wine Isabel Wild Barrique Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 New Holland Agriculture Champion Exhibition Red Wine Falcon Ridge Estate Syrah Nelson 2016

Taste Auckland Auckland got a taste of Marlborough at Taste Auckland last month, with thousands of visitors to Wine Marlborough’s tent over the course of four days. Master of Wine Bob Campbell did 12 masterclasses for Wine Marlborough, including sessions on Pinot Noir, Rosé, aromatics, organics, single vineyard wines and concepts such as “personality and winemaking: creating a different approach”. Wine Marlborough Events Manager Georgie Leach says the event was a great way to engage with Auckland – the largest domestic market in New Zealand – and to remind its consumers how great the wines of Marlborough are. Taste Auckland is one of Auckland’s largest food and wine festival with more than 23,000 people through the doors across the four days “so it’s important for Marlborough to be well represented”, she says. The event was attended by Tohu, Staete Landt, Two Rivers, Zephyr, Spy Valley, Framingham, Seresin and Te Pa. “A lot of people were interested in trying other varietals and wines they might not have been exposed to before,” says Georgie. “It was a great opportunity to get Marlborough into people’s minds and mouths again.”

Viticulture Model Vineyard Benchmarking Report, and has given an analysis for 2017 values. Over the past five years the Colliers Marlborough Model Vineyard Assessment has shown an increase in vineyard values of around 33%. “However, while the region’s vineyards are continuing to experience steady growth in value, this has slowed over the past 12 months,” he says. “The vineyard internal rate of return has continued a downward trend with a decrease of approximately 1.5% over the past five years from around 10.5% in 2012 to 9% in 2017. This downward trend is influenced by the high demand for vineyards and the subsequent increase in vineyard value, which has increased at a greater rate than the vineyard returns generated.” Row, row, row your boat Giesen Wines raised $30,000 at an Arbour dinner last month, to raise money for Isaac Giesen’s mission to row the Atlantic. 24-year-old Isaac, who is the son of Giesen Wines co-founder Theo, wants to be the first Kiwi to make the 4,800km journey, which kicks off in mid-December and is expected to take up to 90 days. He’s using the mammoth Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge to fundraise for organisations working against depression, and hopes to raise $1million. Giesen’s Marlborough General Manager Rhyan Wardman says the Arbour dinner was “packed to the rafters” with caring people, goodwill and generosity.

Real Estate update Grape development continues apace, with “incredible” changes up the Wairau Valley, says Joe Blakiston of PGG Wrightson Real Estate. Joe says sales have been few and far between as vendors have been cautious of the frost risk, although that appears to have been safely negotiated. A bare land sale of heavy soils has been reported at $200,000 per hectare and several smaller vineyard sales have been sold for more than $320,000 per hectare, says Joe. “Most off market transactions have been from neighbours or existing corporate growers with long term leases popular for larger scale development blocks.” The viticulture market remains very positive with significant buyer interest from New Zealand and overseas, he says. Colliers Update Vineyard values throughout Marlborough have increased by around 6% on average over the past twelve months, with greater lifts in the Lower Wairau area, says Colliers International Associate Director Tim Gifford. “The increase in vineyard values is influenced by both the rise in contract grape price, increased production in recent years and strong export demand.” Tim provides market value assessment for the New Zealand Winegrowers and the Ministry for Primary Industries

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Individuals wanting to make donations can do so via the Everyday Hero website https://www.everydayhero. co.nz/event/thebluerower Six Nations Wine Competition Johanneshof’s 2015 vintage Gewürztraminer has won the trophy for Champion Aromatic White at the Six Nations Wine Competition, following in the footsteps of the 2104 vintage, which won in 2015. The Six Nations is the only international wine show in which the wines are entered by invitation from each country’s chosen Judge. In New Zealand that was Master of Wine, Bob Campbell who says the process means the standard of wine quality “must surely be higher than any competition of this size in the world”. Johanneshof’s coowner and winemaker Edel Everling says it’s a privilege to be invited to participate “and even more of a thrill to win a trophy for the second time, considering we are competing with the best producers of six nations”. Other New Zealand trophy winners including Elephant Hill for its 2014 Reserve Syrah (Red Wine of the Show), Villa Maria for its Single Vineyard Braided Gravels Organic Merlot 2013 and its 2014 Taylor Pass Pinot Noir, Pernod Ricard for its 2014 Deutz Prestige Cuvee, and Astrolabe for its 2016 Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

Post Performance Naturally durable eucalypt posts are working well in Marlborough vineyards, according to a new report on their performance. The New Zealand Dryland Forests Initiative (NZDFI) manager and report co-author Paul Millen says approximately 1,400 posts were purchased by six Wairau Valley vineyards between 2006 and 2009, with vineyard owners keen to try out an alternative to the CCA treated standard. A recent survey confirmed those growers are “generally impressed” by the posts, thanks partly to their natural durability and acceptance under organic and sustainable wine growing standards, he says. “It also highlights the fact that levels of breakage are far lower – more than 10 times lower - than for CCA treated posts.” On average, 5% of Marlborough’s 15 million radiata pine posts are broken by harvesting or pruning machinery annually, according to the report, Performance of naturally durable eucalypt posts in Marlborough vineyards. In contrast, levels of breakage of the untreated durable hardwood posts in Marlborough vineyards were as low as 0.3% per annum. Between 1,700 and 1,800 tonnes of treated vineyard posts are sent to Marlborough landfill annually and in recent months the Marlborough District Council has been assessing the option of a pyrolysis plant on the outskirts of Blenheim, to help resolve that growing issue. Marlborough Research Centre Chief Executive Gerald Hope says his preference for vineyard trellising has always been to use locally sourced durable hardwood. “It is a natural, renewable product that, quite literally, supports growing quality grapes for our premium wines.”

The Marlborough Flyer

The Marlborough Flyer has started chugging the tracks between Picton and Blenheim, giving tourists and locals a heritage taste of travel. Paul Jackson, who is managing director of Pounamu Tourism Group, says the train will be a major boost for regional

22 / Winepress December 2017

tourism in Marlborough and Port Marlborough Chief Executive Ian McNabb agrees it will offer something unique to cruise ship visitors at Picton’s port. “It is our hope that Port Marlborough will soon have as many visits as the busiest Cruise Ports in the country. The Marlborough Flyer is another feather in our cap.” The Flyer’s carriages have been sponsored by several local companies, including Saint Clair Family Estate, The Ned of Marisco Vineyards and Lawson’s Dry Hills. For more information go to www. marlboroughflyer.co.nz

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Wine Happenings A monthly list of events within the New Zealand wine industry.

To have your event included in next month’s Wine Happenings or Industry News pages, please email details to sophie@sophiepreece.co.nz by December 10. For more information on the events below email Harriet Wadworth at harriet@wine-marlborough.co.nz

JANUARY 2018 4 Paul Ubana Jones Marlborough Long Lunch Session – Arbour 30-1 Feb Wine Marlborough Sommelier and Media hosting including Bach Hop FEBRUARY 20182017 10 Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, www.wine-marlborough-festival.co.nz 11 Wine & Food Wind Down, Vines Village, 10am- 5pm 24 Dog Point+ Logan Brown Classic Picnic, 12-5pm, picnic@dogpoint.co.nz 24-26 Wine Marlborough Sommelier and Media hosting including Bach Hop MARCH 2018 9-11 Waterfall Bay Feast, www.seresin.co.nz

Arbour Long Lunch - January 4

Wine & Food Festival - February 10

Dog Point Picnic - February 24

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Winepress December 2017 / 23

Index for 2017 Biosecurity A year in review – Feb – pg 24-25 High Health Vines – March – pg 24-25 Samurai Wasp – April – pg 12 Most unwanted – April – pg 28-29 Government Industry Agreement – May – pg 24-25 Lessons from myrtle rust – June – pg 26-27 Mealy bug – July – pg 14-15 Biosecurity 2025 – July – pg 32-33 Wine industry resilience – August – pg 24 Biosecurity research – Sept – pg 4 Chilean Needle Grass – Oct – pg 30-31 Cellar Doors Summer overview – May – pg 19 Wine tourism – Oct – pg 12-14 Visitor experiences – Nov – pg 18 Cellar door competition – Dec – pg 16 Earthquake Insurance – Feb – pg 12 Engineering – Feb – pg 13 Repaired and Ready – March – pg 18 Onguard – March – pg 19 Villa Maria – April – pg 14 Aquifers – July – pg 22 Certificate of Acceptance – Oct – pg 22 A year on – Nov – pg 10 Education and Training ITO – Feb – pg 18-19 Wine School – August – pg 19 Employment White Paper – Feb – pg 14 Head hunting – June – pg 13 Labour law warning – June – pg 10 RSE Conference – June – pg 16-17 Good Guide – July – pg 15 Ethical employers – Oct – pg 16-17 Labour Summit – Dec – pg 9 Urgent care unit – Dec – pg 15 Events Welcome Back – Feb – pg 10 Wine & Food Festival – March – pg 10-11 Pinot Noir NZ 2017 – March – pg 12-13 16 Days of Sauvignon – April – pg 20 RSE Conference – August – pg 12-13 Twilight Sailing Series – August – pg 20 Young Viticulturist Competition – August – pg 22 Silver Secateurs Competition – Sept – pg 15 24 / Winepress December 2017

Young Winemaker Competition– Sept – pg 24-25 Young Winemaker national winner – Oct – pg 24 Marlborough Wine Show – Nov – pg 10 Generation Y-ine Jade Rogge -– Feb – pg 20 - 21 Amber Parker – March – pg 20 Harri Evans – April – pg 24 Karen Marchant – May – pg 20 Ashleigh Barrowman – June – pg 20 Kelly Reed – July – pg 28-29 Anthony Walsh – August – pg 22-23 Abigail Maxwell – Sept – pg 14 Kelsey Daniels – Oct – pg 26-27 Zoë Eld – Nov – pg 22 Kimberley Matthews – Dec – pg 17 Marketing Labelling issue – March – pg 17 Geographical Indications – July – pg 16 Sauvignon Blanc glass – August – pg 5 Bottle Shop Concepts – Oct – pg 20 Marlborough’s Industry Mark Protheroe – March – pg 13 Pure Marlborough Wine – May – pg 14-15 Geographical Indications – June – pg 18-19 RSE Conference – June – pg 16-17 NuPoint – August – pg 18 NZIER Report – Sept – pg 16-17 US Market (Marc Soccio) – Sept – pg 22 Pyrolysis Plant – Oct – pg 23 NZW News Women in Wine – Oct – pg 18-19 Continuous Improvement – Sept – pg 14 Organics James Millton – April – pg 14 Daniel Honan – May – pg 16 Conference – July – pg 18-20 Science and Research Post harvest defoliation – April – pg 16 Lunar research– April – pg 17 Botrytis – April – pg 18 Research Centre – July – pg 21 Vineyard robotics – August – pg 14 Subsurface dripline irrigation – August – pg 15 Romeo Bragato – Sept – pg 10 - 13

Sustainability Continuous Improvement – March – pg 14 Sustainability Report – March – pg 15 Environment Awards – May – pg 12 Clayvin – May – pg 13 Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan – July – pg 23 Grape marc improvements – July – pg 24 Waste Report – Dec – pg 10 The Block Forrest Estate – Feb – pg 22-23 Clos Henri – March – pg 22-23 Keresley – April – pg 26-27 Fromm – May – pg 22-23 Rive – June – pg 22-23 Tirosh – July – pg 30-31 Folium – Sept – pg 28-29 Ormond Nurseries – Oct – pg 28-29 Dayvinleigh – Nov – pg 24-25 Konrad– Dec – pg 18-19 Vineyard Yield predictions – Feb – pg 11 Grape marc – Feb – pg 16-17 Powdery mildew – March – pg 16 Harvest – April – pg 14 Vintage transport – April – pg 22 Vintage pic page – May – pg 5 Harvest headaches – May – pg 9-11 Heat Ranger – May – pg 18 Viticulture field day – June – pg 11 Vintage survey – July – pg 10-11 Grape Days – July – pg 12-13 Benchmarking report – August – pg 10 Predicting vineyard yield – Sept – pg 18 Yield estimates – Dec – pg 10 Wine Marlborough Board Rhyan Wardman – Feb – pg 4 Simon Bishell – March – pg 4 Samantha Wickham – April – pg 4-5 Michael Wentworth – May – pg 4 Stuart Dudley – June – pg 4 Nick Entwistle – July – pg 4 Callum Linklater – August – pg 4 Jack Glover – Sept – pg 4 Ben Ensor – Oct – pg 4 Tracy Johnston elected – Oct – pg 10 Rhyan Wardman – Nov – pg 4-5 Tom Trolove – Dec – pg 4

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