2 minute read
Winepress - June 2024
From the Editor
WATCHING THE vineyard colours change through autumn and into winter is a good reminder that time does not stand still. Grapevines put on age, vineyards get established, and their owners grow older.
Passing on the vineyard to the next generation has long been a tradition in Europe but it’s only just starting to happen in Marlborough’s relatively young wine industry.
Sucession planning can be a fraught time, whether you’re a farmer, a business owner or a winegrower. There’s the potentially volatile combination of finances, family relationships and fairness, not to mention emotional connections to the land and business. Our new series Succession Plan features wine families going through this process, looking at the experience of the parents who’ve always done it their way, and the ambition of the children who are stepping up to take over the reins. Being supportive, being open to change and being financially sustainable are all part of the process, which we start exploring this month with the Weaver family at Churton.
There’s a changing of the guard at the Marlborough Research Centre, with long-time CEO Gerald Hope stepping down this month after more than three decades driving the research organisation’s work to help the region’s primary industries collaborate and thrive. His achievements have been outstanding and appreciated by many.
There’s also been a change at Winepress. As you’ll see from the photo above, I’ve taken over from Sophie Preece as editor. With energy and flair, Sophie has done a fantastic job telling the industry’s stories through the people involved, and thrown light on the issues affecting Marlborough Wine members. I look forward to following in her footsteps.
