Winepress November 2017

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF WINE MARLBOROUGH

ISSUE NO. 275 / NOVEMBER 2017

WINE SHOW

CONTINUING REPAIRS

Photo: Jim Tannock

wine-marlborough.co.nz

CYCLE TOURISM

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this issue...

REGULARS

FEATURES

3 4

10 Wine Show

Editorial

Wine Marlborough has taken over ownership of the Marlborough Wine Show, in a deal announced at the seventh annual awards dinner last month.

2016/2017 Chair’s Report Rhyan Wardman

6

Tasman Crop Met Report

22

Gen Y-ine - Zoë Eld

24

The Block - Dayvinleigh

26

Biosecurity Watch

28

Industry News

32

ANZ Wine Happenings

14

14 The Repair Year

Marlborough wine companies are back in earthquake repair mode, as temporary fixes are replaced by long-term measures. Meanwhile, known insured losses from the wine industry in Marlborough following the November 2016 earthquake are just under $300 million.

18 Cycle Tourism

Cover: Wine judge Jeremy McKenzie at the Marlborough Wine Show (pg 10). Photo by Jim Tannock.

20

Marlborough can expect around 5,000 cycle wine tourists this summer and those visitors will have access to more off-road trails than ever before. But there’s still a lot to be done to get cyclists off the road and into cellar doors.

22

Winepress November 2017 / 1

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From the Editor

Tom Trolove tom.trolove@framingham.co.nz

A sea of vines has put Marlborough on the map, but this editorial is a hoorah to the islands amid them.

Islands like that at Dayvinleigh Vineyard, where Tracy and Kevin Johnston are matching vineyard land with wetland, in a 20,000-plant-plan. Not content with just rejuvenating a spring fed waterway, they’re determined to do so with species that traditionally grew in their corner of the Upper Wairau Valley, and have more than 1600 hand planted native seedlings on the go, having collected the seed themselves. It’s a mission that will hopefully inspire others to forgo the odd row in favour of biodiversity.

Islands like that at Brancott Estate, where an 8-metre high rusted steel sculpture by New York designer Dror Benshetrit has transformed the landscape.

The stunning Under/Standing is made of 52 interconnected components, weighing a whopping 13,500kg, which arrived as a flat pack and unfolded like origami. This international artwork amid the vines is both dauntingly solid and delicately slight, and plays homage to the transformation of land, vines and wine.

And islands like the cycle ways being carved out throughout our wine country, thanks to the determination of a small group with big plans, and the wine companies that have supported them. It’s been slow going, and there’s still a great deal to achieve, but the estimated 5000 cycle wine tourists in Marlborough this summer will have more off road routes than ever before. The region’s reputation for world class wine and food has been flagged as a major drawcard for the proposed Coastal Pacific Trail, set to link Picton and Kaikoura for cycle tourists. Getting them off the roads and into cellar doors will surely need more buy in from the community, council and wine companies going forward.

This is also a hoorah for Belinda Jackson and Margaret Cresswell, who established the Marlborough Wine Show seven years ago, and have developed an innovative and influential show. Wine Marlborough has taken over ownership of the event, which puts the region’s wines in front of the region’s judges. “Our own winemakers are the most knowledgeable and arguably the hardest critics of our own wines and that is why this show is so important,” says Marcus Pickens of Wine Marlborough. “This is the event local companies want to do well at.”

Tracy Johnston Tracy@dayvinleigh.co.nz

SOPHIE PREECE

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

Printed by: Blenheim Print Ltd 03 578 1322

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 November 2017 / 3

From the Board The Chair’s report from last month’s Wine Marlborough AGM RHYAN WARDMAN

AS I reflect on this past year, one consistent theme comes through and that is about people. As our most valuable resource, the people that make up our industry meet challenges and create opportunities as we evolve from a fledgling industry to one of the most recognised wine brands in the world. The development of Marlborough’s wine industry is largely thanks to the strong interdependent relationships within our vineyards and wineries, and with those that support them. These relationships have endured through periods of growth and times of consolidation.

The staff of Wine Marlborough must be congratulated for their drive and commitment to our brand. In the past year, they have coordinated the emergency response group after the Kaikoura earthquake, prepared and filed the Geographical Indications application, providing frequent updates to our members, and pulled together what was probably one of the best Wine & Food Festivals to date. This dedicated small group of professionals do us proud and we are thankful.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to report that the financial results for the year ended 30 June 2017 were in line with expectations. The consolidated statements for Wine Marlborough Limited and Marlborough Winegrowers Association Incorporated generated a net profit of $146,853 for the year. Wine & Food Festival 4 / Winepress November 2017

net revenue and increased levy income (calculated from the 2016 harvest), coupled with good management of expenses plus new activities, generated this positive result. Access to reserves was not required and these were reinvested in term deposits.

We have looked to bolster the team at Wine Marlborough by creating a new position, Advocacy Manager, which has been filled by Vance Kerslake. This recognises that as our industry grows, so too does our responsibility to ensure best conduct in terms of labour, sustainable winegrowing and social responsibility.

Strengthening our relationship with local council and aligned associations is one of the key roles of this position, as is the promotion of knowledge sharing across all stakeholders.

The guiding document for the Advocacy Manager is our White Paper on wine sector growth, which was developed and presented as a followup to an inaugural Labour Summit held by Wine Marlborough in this financial year. Our White Paper has been endorsed by relevant bodies, within and beyond the wine industry, as the template to follow.

In the communications space,

Photo by Jim Tannock

we are focused on a few core tasks that are interlinked with our role in our community. We have to work tirelessly to show our community the contribution we make to it as an industry. To progress this, this year we commissioned the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) to capture that value in their paper, Contribution of Wine to the Marlborough Economy. The results are impressive, showing that the wine sector employs one in 10 of the fulltime permanent workforce, pumps in $130 million in wages and adds $477m to regional GDP. We are also excited to be able to provide a Winepress January issue for members from 2018, as a benefit to you. Given the endorsement the magazine receives from members, it should be well received. Thank you to our editor, Sophie Preece, for your contribution to Wine Marlborough.

The Kaikoura earthquake in November 2016 was another reminder that living and working in one of the most beautiful parts of the world isn’t

without its demands. While there was a lot of disruption and some very severe hardship caused to members of our community, it still strikes me as a massive relief that there were no serious injuries or indeed loss of life in the wine industry. The learnings will be vital to making our industry a safe place to come to work each day.

Following the disaster, Wine Marlborough and New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) rapidly pulled together resources and formed an Emergency Response Team to coordinate communication amongst service providers and our members. A forum was organised and well attended

“We are part of an extraordinary industry, relatively new and full of vibrant, talented people.”

Rhyan Wardman as a conduit of information. Despite this being a regional issue, the prompt reaction and support by our national body illustrated the benefits of pooling together all available resources for the greater good.

Indeed, the distinction between what is a regional issue as opposed to something that has a material impact on our entire industry can become ambiguous. It is important that when faced with making such distinctions the right solution is found, if only to meet the regional issue of today before it becomes a national issue of tomorrow.

We welcomed a new Event Manager into the team, with Georgie Leach now delivering all our well-known events, including the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, which is the pre-eminent event in the Wine Marlborough calendar. The 2017 Festival was one of the best yet, thanks to a veritable army of volunteers, Wine Marlborough staff and the festival committee, headed by Lucy Walter. Without their commitment to continuously surpass expectations, this event would not be nearly as special as it is. Further gratitude should be extended to Pernod Ricard for making their iconic site available year after year. In true Wine Marlborough spirit, the team are already well into the planning of the 2018 festival with even loftier aspirations than the year before.

A new strategic plan is about to be implemented to guide the organisation to 2020, however, it will soon be time to look beyond this. As such, we see a lot of sense in working alongside NZW to co-develop a strategic plan for 2020-2030.

Our interests are identical to theirs, and a partnership on this, where possible, will make the best use of resources.

The 2017 Vintage, following from the Kaikoura earthquake, tested the mettle of grape growers and winemakers alike.

Getting ourselves prepared for harvest was a race against the clock, but a purposeful team effort across the region meant the industry was remarkably wellplaced to meet our seasonal demand.

Unfortunately,

the weather didn’t play ball and we were served up yet more challenges.

Interestingly enough, such conditions only proved to bring out the best of our industry’s talent, and an aligned focus on quality meant the results in barrel and tank contradicted the notion of a difficult vintage. Indeed, there are pockets of excellence that are sure to excite the senses upon release to market.

We are part of an extraordinary industry, relatively new and full of vibrant, talented people. We are bound by our pursuit of growing and making exceptional wines. We are interdependent on those who travel large distances to work and live among us, without whom we could not achieve what we do. We strive to work sustainably to protect our environment and are each bound by our sense of community, helping each other where we can. I can think of no better place or better thing than being part of the Marlborough wine industry.

Winepress November 2017 / 5

MET REPORT October 2017 weather

Table 1: Blenheim Weather Data – October 2017

October October 2017

2017 Compared to LTA GDD’s for month -Max/Min¹ 121.1 121% GDD’s for month – Mean² 126.1 114% Growing Degree Days Total Jul – Oct 17 – Max/Min 228.7 123% Jul - Oct 17 – Mean 271.0 114% Mean Maximum (°C) 19.2 +0.9°C Mean Minimum (°C) 8.6 +0.9°C Mean Temp (°C) 13.9 +0.8°C Grass Frosts (<= -1.0°C) Nil 2 less Air Frosts (0.0°C) Nil Equal Sunshine hours 247.4 109% Sunshine hours – lowest Sunshine hours – highest Sunshine hours total – 2017 2038.9 103% Rainfall (mm) 32.4 57% Rainfall (mm) – lowest Rainfall (mm) – highest Rainfall total (mm) – 2017 553.4 102% Evapotranspiration – mm 109.7 108% Avg. Daily Windrun (km) 241.4 80% Mean soil temp – 10cm 13.7 +1.8°C Mean soil temp – 30cm 14.8 +1.2°C

October LTA

Period of LTA

October 2016

100.1 110.7

(1996-2016) (1996-2016)

124.8 121.8

185.3 237.7 18.3 7.8 13.1 2.1 0.1 227.2 140.7 299.6 1976.2 56.6 2.3 161.0 544.6 101.8 298.9 11.9 13.6

(1996-2016) 201.0 (1996-2016) 245.6 (1986-2016) 19.3 (1986-2016) 8.4 (1986-2016) 13.9 (1986-2016) 2 (1986-2016) 0 (1930-2016) 233.9 1983 1969 (1930-2016) 2106.0 (1930-2016) 58.6 1961 2001 (1930-2016) 484.6 (1996-2016) 115.3 (1996-2016) 255.1 (1986-2016) 12.8 (1986-2016) 14.5

¹GDD’s Max/Min are calculated from absolute daily maximum and minimum temperatures ²GDD’s Mean are calculated from average hourly temperatures

Table 2: Weekly weather data during October 2017

Mean Mean Mean

Max (°C) Min (°C) (°C) Deviation 1st - 7th 18.2 7.1 12.6 (-0.5) 8th - 14th 18.3 9.4 13.9 (+0.8) 15th - 21st 18.7 7.8 13.3 (+0.2) 22nd - 28th 19.6 8.4 14.0 (+0.9) 29th – 31st (2 days) 24.1 12.3 18.2 (+5.1)

1st – 31st 19.2 8.6 13.9 (+0.8) October 2017 (+0.9) (+0.8) October LTA (1986 – 2016) 18.3 7.8 13.1 LTA – Long Term Average 6 / Winepress November 2017

Rainfall Sunshine (mm) (hours) 14.4 48.5 17.8 32.1 0.0 62.8 0.2 68.9 0.0 35.1 32.4 (57%)

247.4 (109%)

56.6

227.2

October 2017 was warm, with above average sunshine hours, below average rainfall, and well below average wind-run.

Temperature The mean temperature for October of 13.9°C was 0.8°C above the longterm average. In four of the last five years, 2013 to 2017, the October mean temperature was well above average (2013 +1.0°C, 2015 +0.6°C, 2016 +0.8°C, 2017 +0.8°C). However, in the 11 years 2002 to 2012, the October mean temperature was never above average; (average in two years and below average in nine years).

No ground or air frosts were recorded in October 2017. This is the first year since 1998 when a ground frost has not been recorded in Blenheim during October.

Growing degree-days (GDD) The GDD line for the 2016-17 season (black) only increased slightly during the first half of October 2017.

However, in the latter half of the month, especially the final three days, the line shot up substantially with the very warm temperatures. The GDD deviation lines for 2016 and 2017 were at the same point at the end of October, slightly below 2013. As mentioned last month, the prediction is for a high chance of above average temperatures from September to December 2017. To a large extent the prediction is currently on track. At the beginning of November 2017, it currently appears that the GDD line for November and December 2017, could well follow a similar path to 2016, or possibly even 2013, which was very warm. The shape of the GDD line in late November and early- to midDecember is largely what determines

Figure 1: Normalized growing degree days for Blenheim: days above (+) or below (-) the long-term average for the period 1 September to 30 April

the size of the Marlborough grape harvest. A strongly upwards sloping line in this period indicates warmer than average temperatures over flowering and hence good fruit set.

A downwards sloping line indicates cooler than average temperatures over flowering and generally below average fruit set. It is interesting to note that for the six previous years on the graph, that all years have had a warm period in mid- to late-November. But apart from 2013, these very warm temperature have not carried on into the first half of December.

Sunshine Total sunshine for October 2017 of 247.4 hours was 109% of the longterm average. January to October 2017 recorded 2038.9 hours sunshine, 103% of the long-term average. At the end of October, Blenheim is sitting in second place for sunniest town in New Zealand, but only 7.1 hours behind the frontrunner, Richmond. In third place

only 10.6 hours behind Blenheim is Whakatane. So these three towns are all in the running for sunniest town in New Zealand for 2017.

Rainfall Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rainfall total of 32.4 mm was 57% of the long-term average of 56.6 mm. Total rainfall from January to October 2017 was 553.4 mm, 102% of the long-term average. Rain was recorded in Blenheim on six days during October 2017. Five of these rain days were the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 11th October. The only other day to record rain was 27th October with only 0.2 mm; i.e. there was basically no rain from 12 to 31 October.

The highest one day total was 14.0 mm recorded on the 7 October, followed by 11.8 mm recorded on 11 October. You may recall in last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s met Report that it was stated that each of the three months July, August and September 2017 recorded rain on 13 days during the month. There were less than half the number of rain days in October 2017, compared to the previous three months.

Soil Moisture Topsoil moisture at the Grovetown Park weather station was 35.3% on 1 October 2017 and on 16 October, a few days after the rainfall, soil moisture was still 35.5% (Figure 2). However, with no significant rain recorded from 12 to 31 October, the topsoil moisture fell to 23.8% on 31 October 2017; i.e. the topsoil had lost 11.7% moisture over 15 days. Field capacity at this site is approximately 38% moisture. The moisture loss over those 15 days was approximately 50% of the available topsoil moisture at this location. This indicates how rapidly moisture can be lost from topsoil which is covered by an actively growing grass sward (lawn/pasture) during October, without rainfall. Figure 2 indicates that the rapid drop in soil moisture in October 2017 was approximately two weeks later than in October 2014 and 2015. Both of those seasons continued being mainly very dry right through summer and into autumn. Topsoil

Winepress November 2017 / 7

Figure 2: Shallow soil moisture (0-35 cm) at the Grovetown Park weather station in Blenheim

moisture received a large boost in the second week of November 2016 with 74 mm rain. We would hope that the coming four months (November to February) receive some regular rainfall events to prevent a summer drought in Marlborough.

Rob Agnew Plant & Food Research / Marlborough Research Centre

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Wine Show Marlborough Wine Show in industry hands WINE MARLBOROUGH has taken over ownership of the Marlborough Wine Show, in a deal announced at the seventh annual awards dinner last month.

The innovative show plays an important role in enhancing the region’s reputation, with three panels of expert judges assessing wines produced from a minimum of 95% Marlborough grapes, and including sub regional classes, says Wine Marlborough General Manager, Marcus Pickens. “This is the event local companies want to do well at.”

The show undertakes the professional evaluation and endorsement of Marlborough wines by qualified and experienced local winemakers together with nonwinemaker judges such as wine educators and writers.

Marcus says having local winemakers on the judging panel, led by Jeff Clarke, is a key element of

the awards, which were established by Belinda Jackson and Margaret Cresswell in 2011. “Our own winemakers are the most knowledgeable and arguably the hardest critics of our own wines and that is why this show is so important.”

The show also includes prominent international judges, which Wine Marlborough has sponsored in the past. Those judges get a front row seat in evaluating the current crop of

Photo by Jim Tannock

Marlborough wines, and then share their insights in their home markets.

Marcus says Belinda and Margaret

Marlborough Wine Show Trophy winners • Winemakers’ Association of Marlborough trophy for Champion Sparkling Wine ~ Hunter’s Miru Miru Reserve 2013 • Wineworks trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2017 ~ Peter Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017 • Wineworks trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ~ Lowlands Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 • Ormond Nurseries Ltd trophy for Champion Chardonnay 2016 ~ Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2016 • Ormond Nurseries Ltd trophy for Champion Chardonnay 2015 ~ Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough 2015 • De Sangosse NZ Ltd trophy for Champion Riesling ~ Mount Riley Riesling 2017 • Wine Brokers New Zealand trophy for Champion Gewürztraminer ~ Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2016 • Taylor Pass Honey Company Limited trophy for

10 / Winepress November 2017

• • • •

•

•

•

Champion Sweet Wine ~ Villa Maria Reserve Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection 2016 Wine Competition Ltd trophy for Champion Other White Varietal ~ Nautilus Albarinho 2017 Scenic Hotel Group trophy for Champion Rose ~ The Doctor’s Rose 2017 Classic Oak Products trophy for Champion Pinot Noir 2016 ~ Duck Hunter Pinot Noir 2016 Classic Oak Products trophy for Champion Pinot Noir 2015 ~ Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 Classic Oak Products trophy for Champion Pinot Noir 2014 and older ~ Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2014 O-I New Zealand trophy for Champion Wine of the Show 2015~ Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 The Marlborough Museum Legacy Award 2017 ~ Hunter’s Riesling 2006, 2012, 2016

have achieved a huge amount with the event, making it the first and only Marlborough regional wine show, the first to judge wines in sub regional classes, the first to use varietal specific glassware and the first to auction all leftover wines and place those funds in a trust for industry grants. “It is fantastic what they have achieved for the Marlborough wine industry and Wine Marlborough hopes to continue their legacy of innovation.”

Belinda says she and Margaret are proud to have established the event, which has almost doubled in size, but realised its continued growth required more than they could offer. “Wine Marlborough are perfectly placed to take the event to the next level.”

“This is the event local companies want to do well at.”

Marcus Pickens

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Winepress November 2017 / 11

Strategic Direction WINE MARLBOROUGH released its Annual Report at last month’s Annual General Meeting, with information on the past financial year.

The report, with sections on governance, communications, marketing and advocacy, outlines future strategic direction, including the investigation of a quality mark project for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and a future leaders’ programme, along with the launch of the School of Winegrowing. “These, along with the other important aims in the strategic plan, are big goals that will take the board and staff time to develop, along with capital,” says Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens.

In his Chair’s Report (see pg 4) outgoing Chairman Rhyan Wardman says the board wants to collaborate with New Zealand Winegrowers for development of a strategic plan that stretches beyond 2020, given the alignment of both organisations’ roles and responsibilities. “With Marlborough representing 80% of New Zealand’s wine production, alignment is more important than ever.”

Annual Report WINE MARLBOROUGH

OCTOBER 2017

ADVOCACY | GOVERNANCE | COMMUNICATIONS | MARKETING

Photo: Richard Briggs

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Ethical Standard Creating an employment benchmark YEALANDS ESTATE is creating an ethical policy to guide its employment practices, as well as a supplier policy to outline its expectations of others. “From this point on we are looking at ethical standards in terms of the broader supply chain,” says Quality Assurance Manager Katrina Jones.

Katrina says the “ambition” is for an industry-wide standard that ensures transparency and integrity in employment practices, including those implemented by outside suppliers, “but in the interim we have to come up with what is good practice”.

The company’s guidelines are based on Master Contractor standards, as well as information gleaned from the Sedex Member Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) measurement criteria, which Yealands is progressing to meet requirements of international customers such as Sainsbury’s. (Winepress, Oct 2017) Yealands is also extending its relationship with the Marlborough Migrant Centre, which delivered a three-

day intercultural awareness course to the company earlier this year. Last month, Marlborough Mayor John Leggett travelled to Seaview to present the staff involved in the course with their course certificates, says Katrina. “He was really supportive of what we were trying to achieve.”

At the same event, Yealands founder Peter Yealands presented Marlborough Migrant Centre manager Margaret Western with a $3,000 donation for the organisation.

Katrina says Yealands will roll out the intercultural awareness training once a year, “at a very minimum”, and she is in discussions with the winery and cellar managers about extending the training to include cellar hands who engage with a wide range of nationalities during vintage.

“We are committed to continuing our relationship with the Marlborough Migrant Centre.”

Winepress November 2017 / 13

After the Shake Marlborough’s wine industry a year after the quake MARLBOROUGH WINE companies are back in earthquake repair mode, as temporary fixes are replaced with longterm measures.

Whitehaven Wines General Manager Simon Toneycliffe says there have been “phases of repair” since the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, with the first phase focused on having enough tank space for Vintage 2017, along with repairs to catwalks, fixed lines, glycol lines and electrical cables.

“Thanks to an amazing effort by many of the tradespeople - including the likes of Crown, Eckford Engineering, Hydramech and Thompson Electrical

- we got the winery up and going. But some of the work had to be temporary repairs.”

Now they are in phase two, undertaking permanent repairs on 45 tanks as each becomes empty, with 2017 wine steadily being dispatched and tanks freed up. Whitehaven is also continuing infrastructure work. “As we speak, we have Work at Crown Sheetmetal.

Photo Jim Tannock people out there putting in new supports in for the catwalks,” says of the learnings from the November Simon, adding that the new ones are earthquake. not attached to tanks, which was one He says there’s a strange silver

Kaikoura Earthquake Insurance Update DAN SZEGOTA

Known insured losses from the wine industry in Marlborough following the November 2016 earthquake are just under $300 million which means insurers are in a position to review and implement a long-term strategy, both in pricing and underwriting controls.

The response from insurers has played out as we expected and is common for large loss scenarios. Insurers cut back on insurance capacity in the region in the immediate aftermath and maintained cover only for those clients currently insured. An embargo was placed for all new business and certain increases to existing insurance programmes. These embargoes are still in place, but have been relaxed by various insurers to differing extents over time. However, the Marlborough region remains very restrictive.

The natural disaster site value excess reverted to the pre-earthquake standard (typically now 5%). Natural disaster rates have increased substantially and insurers are applying tighter underwriting criteria.

The main ‘long tail’ issue that is playing out is the onus on the insured to provide further seismic information for tanks and associated infrastructure. A similar requirement was mooted after the 2013 Seddon earthquake but, due

14 / Winepress November 2017

to smaller losses, was not followed up by insurers. However, as the resulting damage from the Kaikoura earthquake was similar, insurers now require a greater understanding of the makeup of tank farms relating to age, size and the engineering of them before they will offer insurance coverage.

Going forward, insurers have continued difficulty obtaining reinsurance from overseas and the pricing of it increases the premiums in the local market. Coupled with a hardening market and the recent 40% increase in the Government Fire Service Levy, we now have the perfect storm.

It is clear however, that insurance remains a necessity going forward if banks are to continue to lend and the industry is to grow and maintain its markets both locally and overseas.

Daniel Szegota is a senior broker at ICIB Ltd

lining to the event, which has enabled Whitehaven to upgrade its facility and speed up a work plan put in place after the 2013 Seddon earthquake. Instead of spacing it out over several years, they are now undertaking it in “one hit” he says. The tanks they had already put in as part of that plan served them well last November, when the sacrificial bolts stretched and moved, but the vessels themselves remained sound, he says. “It means the technology has worked.”

Villa Maria Executive Director Fabian Yukich says the company is grateful to contractors from Marlborough and beyond, along with the winery team, who worked hard to put the facility “back together” in time for Vintage 2017. A third of the winery’s tanks were damaged by the quake, including 10 that were deemed too bad to fix. With vintage looming, the company chose to build an on-site facility for major repairs and was back in gear in time for harvest. However, Fabian says some of the repairs

were temporary, and permanent solutions are now being rolled out for Vintage 2018, requiring one wall of the winery to be removed for access.

“Some are being turned into permanent repairs even as we speak, and we expect this to go on for a few more months.”

Crown Sheetmetal Blenheim General Helen Morrison and Gavin Williams with some of the Manager Andrew repaired tanks at Villa Maria’s Marlborough winery.

Horton says the company is still very busy, although 32 were sent to wineries before vintage, extra staff brought in for the postwith another 60 tanks of 60,000l also earthquake, pre-vintage rush - many of sold. Looking back, he says those them borrowed from the dairy industry new builds, which were farmed out to - were no longer required. workshops in controlled environments, The company designed a were not as stressful as the long linestandardised 140,000 litre winery tank up of in-situ winery repairs. “We are after the earthquake, and called on definitely proud of ourselves for what companies in the North and South we did - that’s for sure. I think the Islands to help manufacture as many whole team did an amazing job to pull as possible before vintage. Andrew says it off.”

Winepress November 2017 / 15

Tasting Notes Marlborough cellar doors to create more valuable wine experiences MARLBOROUGH WINERIES can get more bang for their cellar door buck, says New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) wine tourism expert Jamie Bisiar.

“There’s a really big opportunity for wine tourism product development and also opportunities for wineries to collaborate.”

Jamie was part of a series of NZW tourism workshops held across the country in September, sharing learnings from Tourism New Zealand data, Quality Tourism Development Limited insights and her own research findings (see sidebox).

She also urged companies to tap into the new Visit tab of the NZWine. com site, and to take advantage of powerful online tools, such as www. newzealand.com (Tourism New Zealand), www.tripadvisor.com, Google Maps and www.marlboroughnz.com (Destination Marlborough).

Operators in Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay stood out among the regions as being quite sophisticated when it comes to offering and promoting wine tourism experiences, she says. However, feedback from the workshops indicates that they want to do even better.

Jamie has received emails from companies wanting information on logging in to the NZW Visit resource, and others enquiring about Tourism New Zealand, Trip Advisor and Google Maps opportunities. “I was able to see the website analytics and there was a large increase in traffic to those resources.”

She has heard from several wine 16 / Winepress November 2017

companies keen to delve into product development, including working with other wineries. Speaking at the NZW tourism workshop in Marlborough, NZW Global Marketing Director Chris Yorke said research indicated tourists like to “cluster” their experiences, and Jamie says that message has clearly hit home.

One example could be a vertical tasting of the same variety from the same vintage at four different cellar doors, she says. “On an individual winery level, it could be an exclusive tour with the winemaker, or maybe a private library tasting.”

Jamie has met Tourism New Zealand’s (TNZ) trade team to find out how wine companies can better leverage or develop new tourism products, and what resources might be available to them. “There’s an awesome team over there and they are so excited to talk with us.”

NZW Global Marketing Director Chris Yorke says most international wine tourists come from countries that are also key export markets for the New Zealand wine industry.

Wine exports and tourist imports are both growing at pace, and there is opportunity to leverage the synergies, he says. “We are working with industry partners like Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand to help guide the wine related marketing content to be appropriate to specific markets. For example, we know Americans love our Sauvignon Blanc, so it makes sense to feature it in promotional campaigns.”

NZW also believes there is opportunity to work with TNZ Trade to be included in trade events and famils for sellers from key wine export markets. “The more the wineries develop great tourism products, the more opportunities we will have to get in front of the travel trade,” he says.

Jamie Bisiar did her Marketing Master’s research project on cellar doors, with a particular interest in the different experiences sought by Millennials and Baby Boomers. However, her interviews with customers at cellar doors in Auckland and Marlborough showed the two generational groups were surprisingly similar when it came to their desire for good customer service, a quiet environment free of intoxicated individuals, knowledgeable staff that could offer wine education and the ability to enjoy tastings in a scenic setting. “Another thing is most people don’t care to make an appointment and really want to visit the wineries that have regular opening hours,” says Jamie. While the major aspirations were aligned, the Millennials were more open to visiting cellar doors on a tour, while Baby Boomers preferred to be independent in their choice of wine companies to visit.

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Winepress November 2017 / 17

Ride On A mission to get cyclists off roads and into cellar doors MARLBOROUGH CELLAR doors are increasingly recognising the value of cycle tourists, says a long time campaigner for off-road winery trails.

There’s been “a sea change” in perspective, says Steve Hill of Wine Tours By Bike, who is also a member of Bike Walk Marlborough and the Renwick Smart and Connected cycle group. “Cycling is the new golf and if we work together we can build a pretty awesome network that will take advantage of everything we’ve got.”

Steve says the region can expect around 5,000 cycle wine tourists this summer, and those visitors will have access to more off-road trails than ever before. That’s thanks to a new stretch from Foxes Island Road on State Highway 6 to the Wairau River stop bank, via private land at the Nautilus and Wairau River cellar doors, and in front of the Dudson Scott Art Gallery.

The groups have also worked with Wairau River Wines to retain cycle and walking access to Foxes Island, after a new lease agreement with the Marlborough District Council saw that traditional accessway closed off to the public due to health and safety concerns, Steve says. “We put our hand up and said ‘this has historically been a very popular cycling and walking route for Renwick and we would still like access to it’.” The Marlborough District Council, including its rivers department, have subsequently been “very obliging” in allowing a 3- metre wide track, as long as it is fenced off, he says.

But there is huge potential to make more space for cyclists, and Steve is now working with wine companies on Jacksons Rd to come up with a solution using a combination of the Opawa River stopbank and vineyard headlands to create a safe cycling trail

18 / Winepress November 2017

between cellar doors. “The key message for me is we are very lucky we’ve had the support we’ve had so far from the likes of Forrest Estate, Nautilus and Wairau River.

And it’s really positive that the Steve Hill ones on Jacksons Rd now have put up their hands to help too.”

Forrest Estate was one of the first wine companies to get on board back in the early 2000s, by sealing its internal road and adding the route - an alternative to the stretch of SH6 - to

“We want to support the wineries, because without the wineries we don’t have a business.”

Steve Hill the Renwick cycle trail. “They have been leading the charge as far as encouraging people to cycle safely and off the road,” Steve says.

The Bike Walk trust now has a part- time coordinator who is working to ensure people are on the same page

when it comes to cycle initiatives, including different sections within the council, says Steve. “His job is to have a voice with the rivers department and reserves department, and to push our case for getting access noted when the leases are reconsidered.”

Cellar door operators at a recent New Zealand Winegrowers tourism workshop in Marlborough (Winepress, October 2017) expressed their support for wine cycle tourism, saying visitors on bikes often bought wine. Steve says bike hire operators give visitors important information on staying safe, and on cellar door etiquette. “We want to support the wineries, because without the wineries we don’t have a business. For us it is about making sure they are looked after.”

The Renwick Smart and Connected community group will soon put up a wine map and information signs donated by Wine Marlborough. The large steel signage, which was previously used at information kiosks around the region, will be used to highlight cycle trails, with the largest map to go in a new Pause Park in Renwick.

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Under/ Standing An unfolding collaboration between artist and winemaker SOPHIE PREECE

BRANCOTT ESTATE has achieved a perfect blend of art and science, both deceptively simple and truly complicated, with a myriad of perspectives. The description could be of a wine, with its layers unfolding like unwrapped origami, but the vineyard’s latest creation is a startling installation amid the vines.

Under/Standing is an 8-metre high rusted steel sculpture by New York designer Dror Benshetrit, made of 52 individual components that marry together in a series of leaning rectangles, delicately poised on four small bases. The 13,500kg of corten steel arrived in a flat pack last month and was hoisted into place, in a triumph of physics and art.

The artwork changes depending on perspective, morphing from complexity to simplicity as the viewer walks around or under it. Viewed from the Brancott Heritage Centre on the hill above, it looks like it’s hovering above the ground. Dror says the use of materials will add to that changing perspective, as the steel rusts to a deeper hue.

Brancott Estate Chief Winemaker Patrick Materman says there are plenty of parallels between the work and wine. “Understanding the science behind winemaking has given us the tools we need to express ourselves creatively through our wine. This shared use of science to create art is what inspired us to work with Dror Benshetrit, whose combined love of poetry and structure is clear in his work.”

Dror visited Brancott in 2014 20 / Winepress November 2017

to gain an understanding of the process of winemaking, from the cultivation of the vines and harvesting of the grapes to the fermentation, blending and bottling. “I wanted to encapsulate that detailed process in a design that both responded to the landscape and symbolised the vineyard’s ongoing transformation.”

Patrick has created Reflection, a limited edition wine range, to complement the sculpture. “One of the elements of Dror’s designs that really resonated with me was how they can be viewed both as a single object and as multiple, interconnected components working together,” he says. “This inspired me to craft wines using multiple individual parcels which all maintain their integrity but also combine into a perfectly balanced, harmonious wine.”

Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens says Brancott Estate has made a significant investment in a “wonderful tourism attraction” for Marlborough. “Art, like wine, can be as complex or simple as the person engaging with it wants it to be and Dror, with this installation, has captured that so well. I think it is fantastic to see Marlborough continue

to come alive with architecture and art and significant environmental projects too which makes it an even better place to live and showcase.”

Winepress November 2017 / 21

Generation Y-ine Zoë Eld is as comfortable with a clipboard as she is with a tractor SOPHIE PREECE

THERE’S SOME irony in Zoë Eld’s love of health and safety, given the accidental nature of her career path.

“It’s one of those things I fell into,” says Wairau River Wine’s i-dotting, t-crossing, form-filling Quality and Safety Systems Administrator. “I was always your girl outside in gumboots working horses and in agriculture. I would never, ever have seen myself in the office. No one would.”

Zoë grew up in a country village in Warwickshire, England, in gumboots as often as possible. She dreamt of a life in the field, but started thinking more broadly when she left home to travel, including a few years working in New Zealand. In 2010 she decided she wanted to stay, and went on to study horticulture at Lincoln University, before moving to Motueka for a job as supervisor in a Kono orchard.

Though she started out on the ground, driving tractors and managing staff, her ability with the necessary paperwork caught colleagues’ attention. They started adding theirs to her pile, leaning on her growing understanding of compliance, and health and safety.

That saw her gradually moved from orchard to office, where Zoë could satisfy her precise nature, while still being involved in primary industry.

So when she and her partner Todd decided to move last year, the Wairau River role was the perfect opportunity to develop her accidental career.

Zoë is responsible for health and safety and food quality systems in the winery, vineyards and cellar door, with the role encompassing the new 22 / Winepress November 2017

health and safety laws and the BRC Global Food Standards, which Wairau River gained certification for this year.

“My job is to make the extra paperwork easier for everyone to swallow,” she says.

That has meant developing and documenting health and safety procedures and food quality standards, as well as preparing for audits and developing an emergency plan after the November 2016 earthquake. “It has everything in there you could probably imagine, including equipment and different contingencies for every possible event.”

Because Wairau River is a family operation, she’s found it very nimble when it comes to enacting changes, and getting people on board. That is key to the success of any health and safety programme, says Zoë. “Getting buy-in and employee participation from everyone is one of the biggest challenges and the biggest opportunity.

It makes your life so much easier if they are spotting the hazards and coming up with ideas.” The willingness to adapt goes both ways, and Zoë welcomes feedback from staff if a new procedure is not suitable. “People come and say ‘look, this isn’t working.

Can we try this instead?’ It’s really important that changes are practical as well as safe and compliant.”

But in any organisation there are always those that are used to doing things the same way, and are reluctant to change. “It’s hard to get into some people,” she says. “Just because an accident or injury hasn’t happened to them, doesn’t mean it won’t.”

Zoë says the role has been a huge learning curve, with the opportunity to get out in the vineyard and winery, and explore the systems firsthand.

That has been key to knowing which ‘i’s have yet to be dotted, she says.

“Sometimes you walk around and think ‘gosh, how have we not had that in place?” Vintage 2017 also provided invaluable knowledge and insights for rewriting the company’s standard operating procedures. “They tease me that I probably know more than all of them now,” she laughs.

Zoë still has her gumboots on hand, ready to pull on when she needs to get out of the office and into the field. “It often depends on what the weather is doing, as to how much I miss working outdoors,” she says. “But this role really challenges my mind a lot more.”

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Winepress November 2017 / 23

The Block Kevin and Tracy Johnston are plantings natives in lieu of vines SOPHIE PREECE

VINES ARE just a fraction of the story at Dayvinleigh in Marlborough’s upper Wairau Valley, with native seed propagation, wetland restoration, pastoral paddocks, a beautiful home and a collection of beloved pets all playing their part.

And that’s just what Tracy and Kevin Johnston dreamed of when they bought a 22-hectare “doer upper” under the shadow of Mount Fishtail, despite busy corporate lives in Sydney. Tracy worked for Tourism New Zealand back then, so visited the country every few weeks and made it to her home province of Marlborough as often as she could. On one of those visits to her grandmother, she saw a real estate notice for a remote vineyard, and took a drive up the valley.

Just before the tiny Wairau Valley township, she found 4ha of struggling Pinot Noir vines, a long swathe of land to the Wairau River, a close up view of the Richmond Range, and an empty “ark” just waiting for inhabitants.

“Kevin and I had always said we wanted a piece of land of our own, and it was always nicknamed Noah’s Ark, because we wanted lots of animals.”

Fast forward 13 years, and my car is greeted by dogs Jess and Cleo, while the kitten Pumpkin scampers for the house, Hugo the donkey looks on and chickens scratch somewhere nearby.

Meanwhile, the vines are now postcard perfect in their stunning setting and provide fruit for the award winning Bird Marlborough ‘Big Barrel’ Pinot Noir, and the Clark Estate Dayvinleigh Rosé 2017, which took a trophy at this year’s Bragato Wine Awards.

It’s quite the transformation, because back in 2004, when Tracy

24 / Winepress November 2017

travelled back up the valley with one of Marlborough’s pioneering grape growers to get some advice, he didn’t mince words. “He said, ‘oh Tracy, Kevin and Tracy Johnston with Hugo, Pumpkin, Cleo and Jess this is a young person’s vineyard. A real doer upper’.” slowly “transitioned” their move, Undeterred, she signed the with the defining turning point the contract, and three months later Kevin, moment Tigger the cat was transferred the doer for this doer upper, saw his to Marlborough, she says. “Then we challenge for the first time. The weeds commuted back to Wellington instead.” were higher than the fruiting wire, A few years later, they moved for the frost protection and irrigation was good, with Tracy taking on project sketchy and while 4ha was “technically work, before becoming General Manager at Destination Marlborough, and Kevin trading in his IT career for full-time vineyard management and maintenance.

“Kevin is definitely chief in charge of the doing,” says Tracy, who is now a tourism consultant and the newest member of Wine Marlborough board.

“Let’s just say I am chief in charge of strategy, communications and finance.

And list writing.” Her catchphrase is, “I’ve been thinking”, she explains with a laugh, as the couple show me around a native seed propagation unit in their planted”, there were so many dead vegetable garden. plants that the couple decided to As vineyards around them consolidate, moving good vines to fill expand steadily to every boundary, gaps in a smaller 6.5ha space.

Kevin and Tracy decided to expand Six months later Tracy got a their biodiversity instead. “Our vision transfer to Wellington and they moved is that this property will provide us to the capital and began commuting to with a fantastic lifestyle,” says Tracy.

Marlborough every weekend, “camping “The grapes were a big component, out” in the property’s barn. Then they but this is our home as well.” They had

“Our vision is that this property will provide us with a fantastic lifestyle.”

Tracy Johnston

already cleared head-high gorse from the paddocks between their vines and the river, revealing the spring fed but weedchoked waterways winding through the property.

The next step was to create a wetland across 4ha, matching the area planted in grapes. They thought they would be starting from scratch, with nothing of ecological value remaining on the altered landscape. But work with the Marlborough District Council revealed a threatened species of swamp nettle, which gave them the perfect starting point. “What’s really exciting about that is we are going to see if we can keep fostering it in one of the waterways,” says Tracy. “And we are working with DOC and council to identify some other local threatened species that we can reintroduce.”

In the meantime, they have taken seed from the few flaxes, manuka and cabbage trees remaining on the land, and “gone crazy on propagation”. Their seed nursery, surrounded by a fence made from broken vineyard posts, has 300 manuka and 1,300 flax seedlings, as well as cabbage trees and carex thriving in their little pots.

They have also established their first “sliver” of land along the waterway, with 500 plants carefully planted, and others popping up beside them, now that the gorse is gone.

“We figure we need about 18,000 to 20,000 plants,” says Tracy. “We have a four to five year planting programme, which is why we are trying to propagate ourselves. And hopefully we’ll be able to help some other people out in the future.” The couple plan to have grassed areas tucked in among the trees, to entice overnight campers wanting a native wetland experience, says Kevin. “They might do some potting out or planting, to help reconstruct a wetland.”

Tracy says they’re a good example of people who have a real interest in biodiversity, but no experience. “We are high on enthusiasm. And there’s lots of great knowledge out there so we have been tapping into that.” It’s a slow process, she admits. “But I hope it’s never done, because then it would be a bit boring”.

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Winepress November 2017 / 25

Biosecurity Watch DR EDWIN MASSEY

THIS MONTH’S column examines the recent visit of a New Zealand delegation to Santiago, Chile, to learn more about an ongoing Chilean Department of Agriculture (SAG) control programme to combat the recent detection of various life stages of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in a suburb of the city. The delegation included representatives from several New Zealand horticultural industry organisations, including New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW), Plant & Food Research and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). The visit was one of the first pieces of operational readiness work conducted in partnership through the Government Industry Agreement for biosecurity readiness and response.

The visit was a unique opportunity to test assumptions associated with a BMSB response, in order to improve our readiness for a potential incursion of this high profile biosecurity risk. The visit had three key objectives: • Gather intelligence on the Chilean situation, including on the potential risk it may pose to the New Zealand wine industry • Test the effectiveness of the latest BMSB surveillance technology and the potential for visual surveillance in an urban environment • Establish ongoing relationships with Chilean government officials, industry representatives and researchers

that will promote future collaborations At this stage all available evidence points towards the BMSB incursion being relatively recent. The bug has only been detected by SAG in low numbers in a small area of urban Santiago. This is consistent with BMSB incursions observed elsewhere, as urban centres are hubs for imported goods and travelers coming from other countries. There is no evidence to suggest the pest has spread to Chile’s horticultural production areas. As the pest is under an official control programme in an urban area and remains at a low population density, it should be considered a relatively low risk to the New Zealand wine industry.

NZW and MPI will remain vigilant regarding the evolving situation in Chile and make regular assessments as to the potential biosecurity risks.

Testing surveillance technology There has never been a successful eradication of a newly established BMSB population anywhere in the world. One of the key reasons for this is that up until now, there has been no detection technology sensitive enough to detect the bug at low population densities. Working with SAG staff, the New Zealand delegation placed a grid of 50 of the latest BMSB lure/traps in the immediate area of the initial BMSB detection. This new technology, developed by Dr Tracy Leskey of the United States Department of

Agriculture with support from MPI, uses a pheromone and chemical synergist to draw BMSB in to within a few metres of the lure, where some will be trapped on sticky plastic cards.

The lure lasts for 12 weeks and the traps need to be monitored weekly for BMSB. The delegation conducted the initial check of the traps just prior to leaving Chile. While no BMSB were found during this first round of monitoring, SAG staff will keep checking the traps each week as the weather warms, until the lifetime of the lure has been exhausted. SAG will then share the data with the NZ delegation.

As the lure only draws BMSB to within a few metres of the trap, monitoring trap catch is a labour intensive exercise. Trappers need to visually inspect nearby host vegetation for the presence of BMSB. SAG staff really appreciated having an innovative new tool at their disposal and it will be important to incorporate their experiences into New Zealand’s BMSB response planning.

Spreading awareness and promoting future collaboration BMSB has only been on the radar as a threat to New Zealand for the last four or five years. In Chile, the level of awareness about the threat posed to the Chilean wine and other horticultural industries by BMSB is

IF YOU SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL

CATCH IT . SNAP IT . REPORT IT .

Call MPI biosecurity hotline 0800 80 99 66 26 / Winepress November 2017

very low. The visit was an excellent opportunity to spread awareness about the pest and highlight potential research opportunities. To this end, the New Zealand delegation met with a range of SAG officials, researchers and industry representatives to discuss potential collaborations. Our visit certainly sparked interest and raised awareness amongst industry and the research community.

In Chile, all research conducted on pests that are under an official control programme must be sanctioned

by SAG. Consequently, the next step will be to develop a memorandum of understanding between New Zealand and SAG outlining the terms of our ongoing relationship. As a member of the BMSB Council, the group responsible for driving BMSB readiness in New Zealand, NZW will have a key role in sanctioning further readiness initiatives.

Conclusion The Chilean visit is the first time that such a collaborative approach

Checking a lure/sticky trap for the presence of BMSB

to boosting readiness for a high risk threat like BMSB has been undertaken.

The visit was successful in meeting its objectives and the collective lessons will inform New Zealand’s readiness programme and response planning.

NZW’s participation in a visit like this highlights the value of being a partner in the Government Industry Agreement for biosecurity readiness and response. The lessons learned and the relationships that have been

Trusted and proven for decades to deliver punishment to weeds.

established from this visit will help to mitigate the risk posed by BMSB to the New Zealand wine industry for years to come.

Remember, if you see anything unusual, catch it; snap it; report it; call the MPI biosecurity hotline 0800 80 99 66 and inform Ed Massey – NZW Biosecurity and Emergency Response Manager 021 1924 924 edwin.massey@ nzwine.com

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Winepress November 2017 / 27

Industry News Wine Trail Marlborough’s reputation for world class wine and food will be major drawcard for the Coastal Pacific Trail, according to a feasibility study on the proposed cycleway. “If the Coastal Pacific Trail is to be successful it will Photo by Mike Heydon need to have a strong brand and distinctive positioning in the marketplace to compete with the many rides currently on offer,” says the TRC Tourism report, which was commissioned by the Marlborough District Council. Marlborough’s wine offering is one of three key “potential hero components”, along with “the magnificent coastline between Ward and Kaikoura”, with the opportunity to incorporate wildlife viewing into the experience. The third “hero element” highlighted by the report is the communities through which cyclists would travel, including Picton, Blenheim, Seddon, Ward and Kekerengu. Marlborough mayor John Leggett says the trail could be the single biggest benefit to come out of the November 2016 earthquake, which destroyed the state highway between Blenheim and Kaikoura. “From a difficult and traumatic event, it is fantastic to see a visionary idea come to fruition, with such wide support from the community.”

Epic win for Pinot Noir NZ 2017 Pinot Noir NZ 2017 won Best Business Event of the Year at the New Zealand Event Awards last month, in what its

chair calls an “epic achievement”. Ben Glover says the award is for the 117 wineries who were part of Pinot Noir NZ 2017, “who came together so we could collectively tell our Pinot stories to the world. It’s also for our amazing sponsors, partners and stakeholders that made this event possible.”

Taste of Marlborough

Photo by Mike Heydon

28 / Winepress November 2017

Visitors to this month’s Taste of Auckland will be treated to a taste of

Marlborough as well, with a series of Wine Marlborough masterclasses hosted by Bob Campbell MW, covering everything from sub regions to aromatics. Wine Marlborough will host the Wines of Marlborough Marquee from 16 to 19 November, with Two Rivers of Marlborough, Seresin Estate, Framingham Wines, Tohu Wines, Staete Landt Vineyard, Zephyr Wines, Spy Valley Wines and Te Pā Wines all representing the region.

Hot Prospect Whitehaven Wines has been named a ‘Hot Prospect’ brand in Impact Global Newsletter. The award recognises the Whitehaven brand’s continuous double-digit growth in the USA market between 2014 and 2016, through its relationship with E&J Gallo. Whitehaven started exporting to the United States in 2004, with a first shipment of 5,000 cases. In 2015, the company celebrated the export of its millionth case of wine to the US. In April, Whitehaven was named the most poured by the glass New Zealand wine in Wine & Spirits Magazine’s annual restaurant poll.

Environment Plan Hearings Hearings from the Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan (PMEP) will begin on Friday, November 20. The Marlborough District Council has appointed four councillors with delegated authority,

who will work alongside three external commissioners on the Hearings Panel.

The members of the Hearings Panel are: • Councillor Trevor Hook • Councillor Laressa Shenfield • Councillor David Oddie • Councillor Jamie Arbuckle • Mr Ron Crosby • Ms Shonagh Kenderdine • Mr Rawiri Faulkner For more information on the PMEP hearings, go to the Savvy Sailing In a wine launch with a difference, nine boats raced out of Waikawa for the release of the 2017 Mud House Sub Region Series Rapaura Sauvignon Blanc last month.

The inaugural Mud House Women’s Helm Regatta attracted great weather, keen crews and some stiff competition, with Mud House Marlborough staff member Sheena Thomson (pictured) at the helm of the winning yacht, Bump N’ Grind.

She says the enthusiasm for sailing and socialising resulted in a very happy and fun atmosphere, while sightings of stingrays, penguins, seals, gannets, shags and dolphins was an extra bonus. The 50 participants came from Marlborough, Nelson, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland to enjoy “almost perfect sailing conditions”, according to Waikawa Boating Club Manager Sue van Velzen. “We’re looking forward to this event growing in 2018 and becoming a regular on the racing calendar.”

Wine Marlborough’s Marketing and Communications Coordinator Harriet Wadworth says the event was a great precursor to the WineWorks Marlborough Wine Race on December 1, and the Marlborough Twilight Series being held in the lead-up to that Cook Strait crossing.

“Marlborough is so lucky to have the Queen Charlotte Sound as a playground, and what better way to enjoy it than by yacht?” Wine Marlborough will host wine buyers and media throughout the Twilight Series and Harriet says she is looking forward to showing off Marlborough’s waterways, as well as its new season wine. “We think this will be a fantastic way to share our little slice of paradise.”

For more information on the Twilight Series contact Harriet at Wine Marlborough harriet@winemarlborough.co.nz.

Marlborough District Council website www.marlborough. govt.nz/your-council/resource-management-policy-andplans/proposed-marlborough-environment-plan International flavour Three international judges were involved in this year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

Australian wine producer and consultant PJ Charteris, American wine writer Elaine Chukan Brown (pictured), and British Master of Wine and wine buyer Sarah Knowles bring indepth knowledge and experience to the competition, and provide the industry with an international perspective, says the new Chair of Judges Warren Gibson. “It is also an opportunity for them to discover the New Zealand style of wine and what is available here. This is important for New Zealand winemakers and the industry as a whole.” The Air New Zealand Wine Awards is owned and organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, and attracted more than 1,300 wines for judging. Trophies will be announced at a black tie awards dinner in Hawke’s Bay on November 25. For more information visit www.airnzwineawards.co.nz

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Winepress November 2017 / 29

Star Studded Great wine might start in the vineyard, but winemaking talent ensures it reaches its potential in the bottle, says Rapaura Springs co-owner Brendan Neylon. The family-owned Marlborough wine company is “raising the bar”, with award winning winemaker and consultant Matt Thomson brought on to the team, where he joins consultant Sam Harrop MW and winemaker Michael Bann. The new team also includes Gus Altschwager, the company’s new General Manager of Viticulture and Winemaking, who says he’s excited to be leading such a “star studded” crew.

A Brave New World Rosé was a top performer at the 2017 New World Wine Awards, with 49 medals won by the 82 Rosé wines entered, and the variety drawing twice as many gold medals as last year. Chair of Judges Jim Harré says the judges were impressed by the quality of the Rosé wines entered this year, which reflects wider industry developments.

“Wineries are making great quality Rosé in response to growing demand from wine lovers who really enjoy it.

They are diversifying into using different grapes – not just Pinot Noir – and balancing the acidity and sweetness to create some really interesting, complex wines to suit wine lovers’ different preferences.”

Forrest Estate won the champion Rosé this year for the Forrest Marlborough Rosé 2017, which is a blend of Pinot Noir and Malbec grapes. Winemaker Beth Forrest says Rosé was the first wine the company produced in 1990, “so it’s wonderful to be recognised in this way for a wine style that we are so passionate about.” Forrest also won Champion Aromatic with The Doctors’ Marlborough Riesling 2015.

Saint Clair also had an impressive double whammy, with Champion Chardonnay and Champion White Wine of the Show for the Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Chardonnay 2016, and Champion Pinot Noir and Champion Red Wine of the Show with the Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Pinot Noir 2015.

In total, the 16-strong judging panel awarded 826 medals, including 82 golds, with Sauvignon Blanc winning 129, which was the highest number overall. New Zealand wines won eight of the 10 Champion Awards. All wines entered in the New World Wine Awards must retail for $25 or less and there must be at least 5,000 bottles (or 3,500 for niche varietals) available for sale, ensuring award-winning wines are accessible. Following the announcement of the 2016 New World Wine Awards results last year, nearly 400,000

30 / Winepress November 2017

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bottles of the top 50 wines, with a retail value in excess of $5.3 million, sold within the first six weeks. Some of the Champion and Gold Medalwinning wines sold out across New World stores in less than 10 days.

New Zealand Champion wines: • Champion Sauvignon Blanc: Russian Jack Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 • Champion Pinot Gris: Dashwood Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 • Champion Chardonnay: Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Chardonnay 2016 (also Overall Champion White) • Champion Riesling: The Doctors’ Marlborough Riesling 2015 • Champion Sparkling Wine: Morton Estate Premium Brut NV • Champion Rosé: Forrest Marlborough Rosé 2017 • Champion Pinot Noir: Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Pinot Noir 2015 (also Overall Champion Red) • Champion Red Blend: Coopers Creek SV Gravels and Metals Hawke’s Bay Merlot/Malbec 2014

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Winepress November 2017 / 31

Brought to you by

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 November 21. For more information on the events below email Harriet Wadworth at harriet@wine-marlborough.co.nz

NOVEMBER 2017 3 Second Wine Marlborough Twilight Series yacht race (pg 29) 7 Marlborough Environment Plan coordination session, 10am, MRC Theatre (pg 28) 15 Institute of Masters of Wine information session, RSVP to ochapman@mastersofwine.org 16 Wine Industry Remuneration Briefing in Marlborough 16-19 Marlborough Wine Masterclasses at Taste of Auckland (pg 28) 17 Final Wine Marlborough Twilight Series Yacht Race 20 Hearings commence for the Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan 23 The Cellar Door and Cellar Door Personality of the Year awards, 5.30pm 25 Air New Zealand Wine Awards Dinner, Hawke’s Bay 26 The Sisters Marlborough Women’s Triathlon 28 Marlborough Labour Summit III, MRC Theatre, Budge Street DECEMBER 2017 1 WineWorks Marlborough Wine Race

Cellar Door Gathering - November 23

Women’s Triathlon - November 26

Wine Works Wine Race - December 1

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