Winepress - June 2012

WINEPRESS Issue No. 215 / June 2012

UK Market

Upcoming Competitions

Vintage 2013

Business Solutions

Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

OPERATING WINERY

Marlborough

395 Awatere Valley Road

Deadline Sale 4pm, Tues 10 Jul 2012

9.392ha including a 4ha Pinot Noir Vineyard. Located 25km from Blenheim.

Constructed in 2005 with recent Resource Consent approval to increase capacity from 2,000-6,000 tonnes.

990,000 litre tank capacity with extensive catwalk facility. Tanks range in size from 1,400-45,000 litre including 12 open top tanks with mechanical plunger for red fermentation. 2 temperature controlled barrel halls, full office facilities, amenities, laboratory and tasting room. The winery is equipped with a 330kw refrigeration plant controlled by a vinwizard system.

This facility is surplus to the current owner’s requirements, providing an opportunity to purchase an operational winery with expansion consent.

VINING REALTY GROUP LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Bayleys, Cnr Charles & Seymour Street, Blenheim (Unless sold prior) www.bayleys.co.nz/112343

Andy Poswillo

M 027 420 4202 B 03 578 7700 andy.poswillo@bayleys.co.nz

In this issue...

Regulars

Features

3 4

8

Editorial Tasman Crop Met Report

7 Marketing Matters 16 Generation Y-ine 25 Business Solutions 27 Wine Happenings From Home and 28 News Away All correspondence including advertising / associate memberships / change of address to: Wine Marlborough PO Box 511, Blenheim 7240 T: 03 577 9299, F: 03 577 9298 E: admin@wine-marlborough.co.nz www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

Printed by: Blenheim Print Ltd. T: 03 578 1322 WINEPRESS is printed with vegetable oil based inks on elemental chlorine free paper which is sourced 100% from well managed forrests and manufactured under ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.

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NZ Wines Soaring in the UK The latest Nielsen Research shows New Zealand has lost none of its shine in the important UK market. Prices are still higher than any other country’s and the growth of our wine continues.

p7

Preparing for Vintage 2013 Cold temperatures at flowering last year will inevitably have an impact on the yields in 2013. Dr Mike Trought takes a close look at what the options are as we head into the all-important pruning season.

Scholarship Recipient Named The Wine Marlborough, John Avery, NZ-UK Link scholarship has been announced and the successful candidate is Kat Wiggins from Essex. She will be travelling to Marlborough later this year, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge about the UK wine market.

p13

Marlborough Wines on The World It is the largest privately owned yacht in the world, with a wine cellar of 12,000 bottles. Now The World will include five Marlborough wines on that impressive wine list.

p16

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

6/2012 WINEPRESS

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• No stripping - less labour • Prune your vineyard faster • No reduction in quality or tonnage NOTE: VSP Growers - Topping reduces overall pruninng costs

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6/2012 WINEPRESS

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

Level 1, 20 Market St, BLENHEIM email valuations@alexhayward.co.nz

Produced by:

From the Editor

Wine Marlborough Free to all levy paying members Associate Members: $77 +GST Editor: Tessa Nicholson

May was a fantastic month in terms of accolades for Marlborough wines. At the International Wine Challenge in London, 13 of the 26 gold medals to come to New Zealand, came to this region. What was even more satisfying was the range of wines collecting those golds.

While Sauvignon Blanc was by far the most dominant variety with seven golds, it

16 Bank Street

was great to see Marlborough Pinot Noir taking out three, more than any other New

Blenheim

Zealand Pinot producing region.

T: 021 709 571

Marlborough is often seen as the bridesmaid when it comes to Pinot Noir – with other

E: tessa.nicholson@me.com

regions gaining far more attention than we do. A lot of that has to do with people being blinded by the quality of our Sauvignon Blanc, and not able to see beyond that. But it

If you wish to make contact with any

wasn’t just Sauvignon and Pinot that impressed the judges.

member of the Wine Marlborough

There were two gold medals for Marlborough Chardonnay and one for a sparkling –

Board, the following are their email

showing the extensive range of quality wines coming out of this region.

addresses.

It was a similar story with the Decanter Wine Awards announced that same week.

Dominic Pecchenino:

Eight gold medals were awarded to Marlborough wines, with two of those being for

nzyanks@xtra.co.nz Anna Flowerday: ajflowerday@xtra.co.nz Blair Gibbs: blair@spyvalley.co.nz James Jones: james@starborough.co.nz Ivan Sutherland: ivan@dogpoint.co.nz Ben Glover: ben@witherhills.co.nz Ruud Maasdam: ruud@staetelandt.co.nz Clive Jones: cjones@nautilusestate.com

Pinot Noir, five for Sauvignon Blanc and one for a late harvest Sauvignon. (Full list of winners page 28.)

The spectacular wins by not just Marlborough, but the whole of New Zealand reinforce why our wines are still moving forward in terms of price and volume in the UK market.

The latest Nielsen research figures show this part of the world is acknowledged by the consumer as unique, quality driven and worth paying that little bit extra for. (See story page 8.)

While on the subject of success, a massive congrats to Marcus Wickham and Nigel George, the brains behind the Klima mechanical pruner. Having revolutionised pruning here in Marlborough the Klima has now gone on to pick up two major innovation awards in Europe. In partnership with ERO Weinbau, (Germany’s largest viticultural machinery producer) the cane pruner has wowed judges at Montpellier and Milan. The innovation awards are a first for any New Zealand company and what’s even more interesting – they are a first for ERO and every other German viticultural machinery producer. Based here in Marlborough, the Klima is a success story that is following hard on the heels of the wine industry that spawned its creation.

In times of difficulty, it’s great to be able to celebrate such success.

Richard Rose: kvl@silkweb.net.nz Guy Lissaman: glissaman@xtra.co.nz

TESSA NICHOLSON tessa.nicholson@me.com

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

6/2012 WINEPRESS

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Met Report 1.2 m. An air frost is recorded when the

Table 1: Blenheim Weather Data – May 2012

May

2012

GDD’s for: Month - Max/Min¹ Month – Mean² Growing Degree Days Total July 11 to May 12-Max/Min July 11 to May 12 - Mean

May 2012 compared to LTA

May LTA

24.0 50.3

41% 70%

58.1 72.1

1190.2 1268.9

87% 89%

1370.0 1421.1

Mean Maximum (°C) 15.8 Mean Minimum (°C) 3.8 Mean Temp (°C) 9.8

+0.3°C -0.9°C -0.5°C 1.3°C

Period of LTA

May 2011

temperature falls below 0.0°C. Figure 1 indicates that May 2012 saw a return to an above average number of

(1996-2010) (1996-2010)

92.0 94.3

(1996-2010) 1454.9 (1996-2010) 1463.4

15.5 (1932-2000) 4.7 (1932-2000) 10.3 1932-2000) 11.1 (1986-2010)

17.6 8.1 12.8

Ground Frosts (<= -1.0°C) 11

equal 5.4 more

11.5 5.6

(1932-1980) (1986-2010)

2

Air Frosts (<0.0°C) 4

equal 2.6 more

3.6 1.4

(1932-1980) (1986-2010)

0

ground frosts, similar to 2008 and 2009, after low numbers in 2010 and 2011.

Figure 1 also contrasts the dramatic difference in the number of frosts recorded for May, for the forty years 1932 to 1971, compared to the forty years from 1972 to 2011. This pattern of lower frost numbers over the past 40 years is seen for all months from March to November.

Average number of frosts per annum

Sunshine hours 185.4 111% Sunshine hours – lowest Sunshine hours – highest Sunshine hours total – 2012 1010.8 95%

167 114.7 220.2 1059

(1930-2000) 161.8 1969 1930 (1930-2000) 997.3

Rainfall (mm) 28.6 44% Rainfall (mm) – lowest Rainfall (mm) – highest Rainfall total (mm) – 2012 185.8 72%

65 13.5 182.6 259

(1930-2000) 1936 1948 (1930-2000)

270.2

Evapotranspiration – mm

49.6

117%

42.4

(1996-2011)

53.6

Avg. Daily Windrun (km)

176.5

80%

220.7

(1996-2011)

201.3

9am mean soil temp – 10cm

7.0

-1.6°C

8.6

(1986-2011)

10.9

9am mean soil temp – 30cm

9.7

-1.4°C

11.1

(1986-2011)

12.5

120

¹GDD’s Max/Min are calculated from absolute daily maximum and minimum temperatures ²GDD’s Mean are calculated from average hourly temperatures May 2012 was cool, calm, sunny and fairly dry.

1932-1971 = 95 Average number of frosts per annum 1972-2011 = 55 Soil Temperature With an above average number of ground frosts in May, the average 9am soil temperatures recorded at 10, 20, 30 and 100 cm depth were all below average. The average soil temperatures summarised in Table 1 are recorded at 9 am each day. This is to maintain consistency with manually collected records up until the mid 1990s, when thermometers were only read once a day at 9am.

Air Temperatures

2012 was 3°C cooler that May 2011,

Figure 2 shows how the average monthly

May 2012 recorded a mean temperature

which was the second warmest May on

soil temperature (1986-2011) at each

of 9.8°C, or 0.5°C below the long-term

record.

of the four depths varies throughout the

average (1932-2011) of 10.3°C, but 1.3°C below the average for the 25 years 1986-2010 of 11.1°C. I have pointed out in previous editions of Met Report how Blenheim’s winter temperatures have been considerably warmer over the past 25 years. However, there has been almost no change in the summer temperatures over the same period. May

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Frosts May 2012 recorded 11 ground and 4 air frosts. A ground frost is recorded at a height of 2.5 cm above a mown grass surface. A ground frost is recorded when the temperature is equal to or below -1.0°C. An air frost is recorded in a Stevenson screen at a height of

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

year. The deeper 100 cm soil varies by about 10°C between mid-summer and mid-winter, whereas the shallow 10 cm soil varies by about 15°C. The average monthly temperatures shown in Figure 2 do not reflect the marked differences in daily soil temperatures that can occur between the shallow and the deep soil. Figures 3 and

Figure 1: Ground frosts for May recorded in Blenheim 19322012

Figure 2: Blenheim average monthly 9am soil temperatures (1986-2011) at 10, 20, 30 and 100 cm depth

Figure 3: Daily fluctuation in 9am soil temperatures at 10, 20, 30 and 100 cm depth during January 4 show the daily fluctuation in soil temperatures that can occur during January and July. The deep 100 cm soil has very little daily fluctuation in temperature. In mid-summer the 100 cm soil is generally cooler than the shallower soils (Figure 3), whereas in mid-winter it is warmer (Figure 4). The shallower the soil, the more marked is the daily fluctuation in temperature.

Sunshine May 2012 recorded 185.4 hours sunshine, considerably more than in the previous two years. There has been considerable variation in sunshine recorded during May over recent years.

May 2010 with only 119.2 hours, was close to the lowest on

Figure 4: Daily fluctuation in 9am soil temperatures at 10, 20, 30 and 100 cm depth during July

record. However, May 2008 with 200.9 hours, was close to the highest total on record.

Rainfall Blenheim only recorded 28.6 mm rain during May 2012, in contrast with 120 mm recorded in May 2011. Total rainfall for January to May 2012 was 185.8 mm and well below the longterm average of 259 mm. This is the lowest January to May total in the last 10 years. January to May 2003 recorded a very low total of 116.8 mm.

Wind Run May 2012 recorded an average of 176.5 km of daily wind run. This was well below the

The Met Report was brought to you by

long-term average of 220.7 km (1996-2011). 2012 is the fifth year in succession that May has recorded lower than average wind run. What is also quite remarkable is that of the 12 months June 2011 to May 2012, 11 have recorded lower than average wind run. Only July 2011 was above average.

Rob Agnew Plant & Food Research

NZ Owned & Operated

0800 855 255 | tasmancrop.co.nz

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Marketing Matters with David Strada – NZW Marketing Manager US May was a hectic month for the US NZW team. From the east coast to the west and back, the staff were involved in numerous Wine Fairs and tastings.

In less than a week, the NZWine US

regions) plus two sweeter styles were

about the regionality of our wines and the

marketing team was involved in seven

included in the tasting.

array of varieties emanating from New

individual events, ranging from dinners,

We held another tasting at the Agora

Zealand.

to festivals, seminars to tastings. It all

Gallery in Chelsea New York the next

A wine dinner was held at Ana Mandara,

began on Monday May 14, in New

day, which coincided perfectly with an

featuring wines from four companies,

York. The wine fair for media and trade

exhibition of fine art from New Zealand.

the night before an all day wine seminar

was held at City Winery, attracting a

One of the ways of promoting our

organised with the help of NZTE. Among

good number of interested people. We

wines we have decided to try this year,

the presenters during the day were; Jon

were very pleased with the response

was taking them on site to relevant

Fredrikson of the Gomberg Fredrikson

to the wines on show, and particularly

workplaces. Gary Vaynerchuck has

Report, Paul Mabray of VinTank, Jim

the response to the Reisling seminar

recently started his own consulting

Chanteloup of K&L Wine Merchants,

held during the day. Who else could

business – VaynerMedia, with 125

(in Marlborough last year for the Wine

we ask to run this seminar, than Paul

employees. We were able to present a

Weekend) and Bill Cascio of Glazers

Grieco – Mr Riesling himself. Having just

New Zealand wine tasting to his staff and

Distributors in Texas.

spent time as a guest of New Zealand’s

associates on the Monday night, which

To end the week, New Zealand wines

Summer of Riesling, he was well versed

was a wonderful way of connecting with a

were a feature at the inaugural 2-day

in the outstanding qualities of this variety

large new market of consumers. It was a

Great GoogaMooga festival, held in

emanating from our part of the world.

great success.

Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Given the

Ten wines, (two each from the major

We did a similar event at the Twitter

temperatures during the weekend, it was

headquarters in San Francisco a

very noticeable how many people were

little later in the week, and while the

appreciating the cool, crisp New Zealand

numbers weren’t as high, it was good

Sauvignon Blancs.

to be able to present our wines to a

So all in all – a busy time for us here in

younger demographic.

the States. We look forward to introducing

While in San Fran, we also had a NZW

the 2012 wines to the consumer, later in

Fair for media and trade, held at Fort

the year.

Mason. Those attending were able to walk around the site, talk with wine makers and marketers and learn more

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NZ Wine Soaring in the UK TESSA NICHOLSON

The latest Nielsen research in the UK, has shown a marked improvement for this country’s wine sales, both in volume and value.

There are a number of encouraging

like Australia, Spain and Italy.

Sauvignon, while France provides just

factors to emerge from the research, not

“For those of you that have existing

4%.

the least being the fact that New Zealand

importers and distributors, you would

But it’s not just our whites the consumers

still has the highest average retail price (£

be justified in asking that your brand is

appear to be infatuated with. Sales of

per bottle) of any country.

brought right to the top of the pecking

red wines, in particular Pinot Noir, have

Twelve months ago, that price was £6.08.

order within their portfolios. And for those

soared in recent years.

Currently it is £6.23, with the nearest

of you seeking distribution in the UK, this

What’s more people are prepared to pay

price point to New Zealand being France,

data provides hard proof that your brand

more for them, than they do from any

with an average price of £5.66.

should be considered seriously by any

other producing country. The average

NZWine’s European Director, David Cox,

importer you may be approaching.”

price for New Zealand red wine is now

says sales of New Zealand wine over £6

Given the UK’s love affair with our

£8.55, up from £7.94 12 months ago.

have grown 18% in the past year. “It now

Sauvignon Blanc, it isn’t surprising to

“That is twice the average price paid

represents 42.2% of all we sell. It’s going

see that nearly half of all the wine of this

for all red wines - £4.87,” David said.

in the right direction and demonstrates

variety consumed, comes from New

“It’s further proof that consumers are

that the incidence of deep discounts

Zealand – 49%.

perfectly happy to pay much more for

and half price deals for New Zealand

Chile provides 25% of the country’s

New Zealand red wine and price does

Sauvignon Blanc are declining.”

But it is the £9 and above that wineries consider the sweet spot in terms of sales.

So it’s great news for everyone, that our sales are on the increase in this price bracket, with New Zealand currently the second best performing country in both the £9 to £10, and also the £10 and above segments.

In terms of growth, New Zealand has seen a massive increase in share in both price points – 26% in the £9 - £10 and 48% in the £10 and above.

“New Zealand represents over 21% of all wine sold between £9 and £10 and is second only to France which is declining in this price segment,” David said.

We are well above other powerhouses

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The above graph shows there have been far less swings in the pricing of New Zealand wine, when compared with the previous two years.

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

not seem to be an issue.”

Africa and Chile, saw a drop in value

Despite New Zealand being the smallest

share.

of all the New World wine producers, the

Branded wine from individual countries

sales of our wine is second to none. In

– versus own label brands, is also

terms of the volume of cases sold in the

working in New Zealand’s favour. Only

UK, New Zealand is the only New World

five countries showed an increase in

country to show growth – an increase of

wine sales in this category – the rest saw

7% in the past year. We are also the only

declines.

one to grow in terms of country share

New Zealand’s increase was +7%. The

within the market, again rising by 7%.

other countries following suit are Italy,

And in terms of percentage of country

Spain, Argentina, and Portugal.

share in UK retail, New Zealand had the

Given the importance of the UK market

biggest growth in the 2011/2012 year,

for New Zealand wine, the above results

rising by 12%. The only other countries

are extremely positive. Now we just need

to see a major increase were Italy,

the dollar to move in the right direction so

Spain and Portugal. Other New World

wineries can take advantage of the solid

producers, such as Australia, South

sales.

Highlights of Nielsen Research • New Zealand is the only New World country showing positive volume growth – up 7% • New Zealand is one of only two New World countries showing a positive value increase – up 12% (Argentina is up 7%) • New Zealand has the highest average retail price (£ per bottle) at £6.23 • New Zealand dominates the average retail price for red wines - £8.55, compared to the average price paid for all red wines £4.87 • Sales of our wines in the £9 - £10 price point have risen by 26% • Sales of our wines in the £10 and above have risen by 48%

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Chardonnay 548

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Preparing for Vintage 2013 TESSA NICHOLSON

Grower concern regarding what yields are likely to be in 2013, are probably well founded. But there are some steps you can take to prepare, well in advance.

There is nothing anyone can do about

So what can be done to improve the

window of opportunity for weather to

the weather, or the impact temperatures

situation for 2013?

impact.

at flowering and bud burst will have on the resulting crops. But there are some salient points that growers can bear in mind, as they prepare for the upcoming pruning.

Understanding the Fruiting Cycle Dr Mike Trought from Marlborough Plant & Food Research says it is vital to understand how the fruiting cycle is an 18 month event, with weather occurrences

Background

happening well before vintage playing a

Temperatures during flowering last

major role in potential yields.

The next important period is at bud break, roughly September here in Marlborough. While initiation in the previous December/January determines the inflorescence primordial number, the weather in September determines the number of flowers on the primordial.

Warm temperatures at this stage can help

season will have a direct impact on

bud break to occur in synchrony, plus

the proportion of flowers that become

it will also affect the size of the berries

berries and to some extent, (depending

– (likely to be slightly larger with warm

on variety) the size of those berries next

conditions).

year.

As we all know, flowering in 2012 was

Predicting Yields Via Temperature

anything but ideal. Cool temperatures

Years of research has shown that yields

affected the fruit set, which in turn led

can be potentially predicted, given the

to lower than average yields throughout

temperatures experienced in the 18

the region. It also has to be remembered

“Initiation happens in December/January

months prior to vintage. Mike says the

though, that 2012 followed hard on the

the year before, but it doesn’t happen in

yield model considers the temperature at

heels of some very large yields, which

a single event,” Mike says. “That process

the initiation period of December/January

were above the long-term average (LTA).

starts about every three to four days as

and extrapolates that out to predict the

After three years of working hard to

you move up the cane. So on day one,

yield 18 months later.

control the amount of fruit and adhering

bud position appears opposite leaf one.

In the case of Marlborough – these are

to yield caps, the recent vintage was

Three days later it starts at leaf two.

the predictions based on the Yield Model.

almost a kick in the teeth for growers

Three days after that it appears at leaf

(It has to be remembered that all these

and wineries. For growers it has meant

three and so on. We believe the initiation

predictions are based on 4 cane pruned

another drop in income as the tonnages

inflorescence primordial takes about two

Sauvignon Blanc, on 3 metre rows, in the

harvested are less than expected. For

weeks, for each individual.”

Wairau Plains. It assumes there has been

wineries it means supply will be limited

So the entire bud initiation over the length

no change in management of the vines,

and after building markets, many may

of a cane can take well over a month

ie; They haven’t changed cane numbers

now be unable fulfil all orders.

to be complete. Which leaves a long

either up or down in previous years.)

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

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1. If the temperatures at

the same as last year – it

flowering this coming

could potentially lead to a

season are average

yield of 45% below the long-

– yields will be 15%

term average. There are a

below LTA

number of ways of ensuring

2. If temperatures at

a slightly better result that

flowering are the same

can be undertaken manually,

as last year – yields

during the upcoming pruning

could be up to 45%

season.

below LTA

Number of Canes

3. If temperatures

If you have been one of the

at flowering are

many who dropped canes

significantly above

in previous years to control

average – yields could

yields – should you now

be 20% above LTA Many growers will be considering if they should move from 3 canes

Weather Predcitions Given the possible scenarios

back to 4 this year.

mentioned above, has got

increase them again?

Research undertaken by Plant & Food Research here in Marlborough has

would tend to be near normal (between

New Zealand Winegrowers asking what

80 and 120 percent of spring normal)

shown that dropping from 4 cane pruned

the likelihood of a repeat of December/

along the coast, but below normal inland.

vines to 2 cane pruned saw a long term

January conditions are. This report was

A “typical” El Niño summer (December

stabilization of yield at approximately 75 –

supplied by NIWA.

- February) would bring more west to

80% of the previous 4 cane pruned.

At the time of writing (mid May 2012),

southwest winds than usual, resulting in

If you now go back to 4 canes – the

conditions in the tropical Pacific

below normal summer rainfall in many

yield could go up to 153% of the 2 cane

are ENSO-neutral (no La Niña or El

eastern areas, including Marlborough

pruned and 20% above that of vines

Niño). Almost all global climate models

and Hawkes Bay. Summer temperatures

consistently pruned to 4 canes.

predict neutral conditions in the tropical

would tend to be near average for

Going from 3 cane pruned to 4 canes

Pacific over early winter (May-July),

Marlborough, but near average or below

could see an increase in yield of more

with about half of them continuing this

average for Hawkes Bay.

than the 25% more bud nodes you have

situation over the subsequent three

But of course, we all know every El

laid down.

months (early spring, August – October).

Niño is slightly different – not all El Niño

Mike says these changes in yield reflect

However, the other half of the models

events result in the “typical” rainfall and

the influence carry over effect of yield

predict the evolution of an El Niño state

temperature patterns expected! NIWA

and shoot size when the pruning system

during the August-October period. If El

considers circulation patterns and other

is changed. For example; going from

Niño were to develop (and this is by no

climate factors (such as the Southern

2 to 4 canes, results in 4 larger canes

means certain at present), a “typical” El

Annular Mode, or SAM, http://www.

being retained than where the vines

Niño spring (September – November)

niwa.co.nz/publications/wa/vol14-no2-

had been 4 cane pruned throughout. So

would bring more southerly winds than

june-2006/the-southern-annular-mode-

laying down one or two extra canes could

usual, and cooler air temperatures, right

and-new-zealand-climate), when issuing

see a significant increase in yield, if the

across New Zealand (including Hawkes

its seasonal climate outlooks.

conditions at flowering are right.

the southerlies would result in below

How Can You Potentially Increase

Diameter of Canes

normal spring rainfall. But for Hawkes

Yields in 2013?

This is a vital aspect if you want to

If we take the worst-case scenario that

increase potential yields next year. The

temperatures at flowering this year are

thicker the diameter of the cane, the more

Bay and Marlborough). For Marlborough,

Bay, the pattern is more complex – rainfall

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6/2012 WINEPRESS

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

fruitful it is likely to be.

lowering of yields, when

“You need to get up to 10 mm

compared to manual fruit

diameter of the cane at the

thinning. (These results

third node, to maximize the

come from 4 cane pruned

number of inflorescences per

Sauvignon Blanc in the

shoot,” Mike says. “Anything

Wairau Valley.)

that happens to the vines

• Control vine – 16 kg of fruit

that induces bigger canes

• Lightly thinned – 12.5 kg

will tend to increase the

• Heavily machine thinned

fruitfulness of the shoots in

– 9.5 kg

the following season.”

• Hand thinned – 12 kg

There is good news for

There is no magic formula

growers here, as thicker cane

for how much fruit you can

diameters often follow on from a season of low yields – such as experienced this year.

Temperatures at flowering will ultimately determine next vintage’s yield. and reduce bunch number. Shoot

Assuming that if you lengthen the cane

thinning around the head, early in the

laid down it will increase the number of

season, and exposing the shoots to be

shoots, is not correct.

subsequently as canes, will encourage

“It depends of the variety and the

bud fertility. However, buds require

previous vine management,” says Mike,

leaves proximal to the bud for good

“but laying down more buds does not

initiation. Early leaf removal (plucking),

necessarily increase the number of

before initiation has been completed

shoots spread along the vine. Instead

will reduce the inflorescence primordia

it will increase the variability in shoot

initiation at the buds where leaves have

spread.”

been removed.

buds will shoot first and which ones are the most fruitful.

“Buds at the end of the cane tend to be the ones that grow regardless of what happens, then it’s the ones around the head of the vine and the ones in the middle of the cane – which in general are the most fruitful – are the last ones to come away. The longer you leave the canes, the more variably the bud break. It also tends to reduce the overall fruitfulness, as it’s the fruitful buds (in the middle) that don’t grow.”

“We are unlikely to be able to dial up we want to take

Laying Down Longer Canes

There is a hierarchy in terms of which

take off though.

1.27 kgs of fruit off the vine.

It is not going to have that level of accuracy. It is more likely to be, I want to take a little or a lot off.”

The beauty of the mechanical thinning is it not only manages yields, it also appears to reduce the risk of botrytis.

Leaf Plucking is another way of controlling yields. Mike says in trials where a Collard leaf plucker has been put through the vines shortly after fruit set, the reduction in yield has amounted

What If We End Up With Too Much Fruit?

This is the other side of the coin for growers. What if the temperatures at flowering are above average and all the work to increase yields backfires and growers are faced with larger than required crops?

Once flowering has taken place and fruit set allows yield estimates to be undertaken, there are a number of options open to manipulate large crops.

Mechanical thinning is one option that has proven to be highly successful,

Light and Leaves

particularly on Sauvignon Blanc. Using a

Shaded canopies around the head of the

Nairn harvester and more recently other

vine can reduce inflorescence initiation

brands, the research shows significant

to around 15%.

“That reduction is in terms of bunch weight, due to the berries being smaller.”

Where to From Here No one can predict what the conditions will be like come September at bud break, or at flowering in December/ January. However with careful consideration of all the scenarios, there are a number of options open.

As we head into pruning, it is important to consider what the result of your actions now, will be on your yield next year.

Good Luck.

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

6/2012 WINEPRESS

|

13

World Class Winery Design and Construction.

Canadian winemakers have recognised Apollo’s world class expertise in the design and delivery of premium wine processing facilities

Poplar Grover Winery, Penticton, Canada.

It’s not just our wines that have been recognised internationally…

New Zealand’s wine technology has been identified by Canadian wineries as world class for cool climate varietal processing. On the back of Apollo’s local reputation, along with the completion of Poplar Grove and Tantalus wineries in Canada; Apollo has been commissioned by a third Canadian winery for the design and construction NO Winery DETAIL TOO SMALL. NO DREAM TOO BIG. of Monster in Penticton, British Columbia.

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

www.apolloprojects.co.nz

Scholarship Winner TESSA NICHOLSON

The first UK recipient of the Wine Marlborough, John Avery UK Link scholarship has been chosen. She is 34-year-old Kat Wiggins from Essex.

The scholarship, established back in

Lay & Wheeler has not been a part of for

2010, aims at promoting the wines of

some time, but one that is enormously

Marlborough within the UK market.

important to Majestic,” she wrote in her

An annual event, the scholarship will

application. “Lay & Wheeler are, after

alternate between sending a young

a period of conservatism, now seeking

Marlborough wine person to the UK and

new opportunities and horizons, stepping

bringing an UK industry person out to

back into looking at New World wines.

Marlborough.

Certainly there is demand from our clients

In its inaugural year 2011, Marcus

for new producers, great wines and

Pickens from Wine Marlborough was

interesting parcels of wine they have not

the scholarship recipient. This year it

previously been offered.”

has been aimed at the UK, with the

She does however have a fairly good

scholarship being heavily advertised in

understanding of our wines, given her

the trade, resulting in a large number of

work with Majestic.

applicants.

“I work within the Majestic network, a

Kat Wiggins was the one finally chosen

UK multiple for whom New Zealand

as the recipient.

Sauvignon Blanc in particular is of huge

Involved in the wine industry for 10 years,

importance.”

winemaking. She will also spend time

Kat is currently a senior wine advisor for

A panel consisting of John Avery’s

getting to know local producers and their

Lay & Wheeler, one of the company’s

daughter Mimi, David Cox, Helen

wines.

top sales people looking after 250 high

Middleton and David Thompson

The scholarship announcement is a

net-worth individuals, and is responsible

unanimously chose the scholarship

poignant one, given it was strongly

for managing the Majestic and Lay &

winner, after interviewing all the finalists.

supported by the late John Avery MW,

Wheeler Fine Wine Plans.

David Thompson had this to say about

who died suddenly in March, aged 70.

She has recently completed her WSET

Kat.

He felt very strongly about promoting this

exams and is into her first year of

“She is an excellent all round candidate

region on the world stage, to the point

studying for a Masters of Wine.

whom we are sure will enhance all the

that he not only promoted the annual

Despite her longevity in terms of being

objectives we have for the Scholarship

exchange, he also helped fund the

with Lay & Wheeler, Kat has never

and build on the Link’s relationships with

scholarship.

visited any New World producers, and is

the wine trade.”

Nick Nobilo described John in a recent

extremely keen to remedy that later this

Due in Marlborough later this year, Kat

obituary as “A doyen of wine promotion

year.

will spend up to a month here. During

and his contribution in promoting New

“It would also give me the chance to

that time she will experience all facets

Zealand’s wine industry for more than 30

learn about an area of the industry that

of the wine industry, from viticulture to

years is immeasurable.”

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

6/2012 WINEPRESS

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Marcus Wickham 16

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

Generation Y-ine

BY TESSA NICHOLSON

Marcus Wickham Marcus Wickham has packed a fair

through pretty quickly and vineyards

exceptional and second to none. But

amount into his first three decades.

were being knocked over in a couple

even with this knowledge, he still ended

Besides being Marlborough’s first

of years, which was faster than anyone

up in the wine industry. We have a sheep

Young Viticulturist of the Year, he went

expected.”

and cattle farmer in the King Country to

on to become the first national winner

Despite the familiarity with the wine

thank for that.

and finally took out the overall Young

industry, Marcus stuck to earlier ideals

On arriving for work during a holiday

Horticulturist of the year. He has married

of farming, and enrolled at Lincoln

period, Marcus admits he was expecting

his best friend Samantha and together

to undertake a BCom in Agriculture,

to shear sheep, learn to work dogs and

they have had 4 kids. He has developed

majoring in Farm Management. This

fix fences. But very quickly he learnt

vineyards in Marlborough, Canterbury

was the late 90s and farming in New

that wasn’t what made a person a great

and Central Otago, helped with the

Zealand was going through a tough

farmer.

creation of one of the most innovative

patch. Subsidies had been lifted, the

“Andrew Porritt was an amazing

pieces of vineyard machinery in decades

industry had to stand on its own two feet

farmer, very holistic and yet also very

– the Klima - and has just recently

and there were many farmers struggling

commercial. I asked him his advice

received an innovation award at the

to make a go of it. Which is one of the

about what I should do and he advised

world’s largest viticultural expo in France.

reasons Marcus talks so highly of the

me to go away and do something else.

Despite his obvious viticultural pedigree,

course he undertook.

‘Otherwise you will end up being a 50

(son of Ben and Frances Wickham

“In our final years we would go to farmers

or 60 year-old farmer with a sore back,

from Ormond Nurseries) Marcus had

and completely deconstruct their whole

crutching ewes all your life. Learn

no great desire to join the wine industry

business and put it back together again.

another industry so you can bring

ranks. Born in Gisborne and moving to

They were really open with us and would

something back.’ So I took his advice and

Marlborough when he was 16, his first

open their books; show us their accounts,

at that stage there were opportunities in

love has always been sheep and cattle

production levels, everything. We got to

hometown Blenheim, so I decided to do a

farming. One day he says, he would love

see different aspects of various farms. So

post grad in viticulture and winemaking.

to be part of a commercial farm here in

we looked at farms which had amazing

“I realised that business was what I

New Zealand. In the meantime, he has

natural resources but a poor farmer.

wanted to do in the agricultural sector

unfinished business in the wine sector.

Then we looked at farms that didn’t

and if I was going to be serious about

All his early memories of Gisborne,

have any natural resources, like a dry

that I needed some more skills.”

involve cutting up or planting rootstock,

farm in Canterbury without irrigation, but

Completing the post grad course, he

grafting and boxing up. Not just vines but

with an exceptionally good farmer, and

came back to Blenheim and the family

also Kiwi fruit and citrus. The early vines

everything in between. It showed us that

business. Leading into vintage 2002,

were mainly for Montana, as growers

the difference between a good farmer

he worked on the family vineyards

and companies struggled to replant on

and a bad farmer was their management

carrying out all tasks from new plantings

phylloxera resistant rootstock, as the

expertise and whether they wanted to be

to caring for the established vines. A

disease decimated the Gisborne wine

there or not.”

short time later he applied for a job with

industry.

That in-depth insight has convinced

New Zealand Wineries, which were

“I remember Dad saying that it was going

Marcus that New Zealand farmers are

heavily involved in many aspects of the

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17

winemaking business.

need to take it outside of

They now wanted to add

the southern hemisphere, if

vineyards to the company

they wanted it to grow.

and were looking for

“We realised that grape

someone to help establish

growers, no matter where

and manage vineyards in

in the world they are, have

Marlborough, Canterbury

exactly the same problems.

and Central Otago.

Problems like climate,

Getting the job, saw Marcus

drought, frost, hail, and of

take over a total of 305

course staff and regulatory

hectares of green fields –

issues. We wanted to form

(100 in Marlborough, 150 in

a company with the goal

North Canterbury and 65 in

of making grape grower’s

Central Otago), all having to

businesses easier and

to be established.

more profitable by creating,

“It was pretty exciting –

developing or unearthing The Klima in action.

but also very stressful. I

innovative products that

obviously made mistakes,

help them do more with

but I learnt lots as well.

way of way of making pruning more cost

But the commercial part of the Farm

effective. Over a few wines, ideas began

the global market is very European-

Management degree really helped me.”

to flow and before they knew it, they

centric. For example in New Zealand and

One of the lessons learnt was the

had come up with the idea of creating

Australia there are 180,000 hectares of

importance of managing staff.

a machine that would lift the fruiting

vines combined. In France alone there is

“That was a huge learning curve for me.

wires, then pull all uncut vines upwards,

1 million. Italy and Spain are also a million

You learn pretty quickly that the big stick

passing them through a mulcher. If it

hectares.”

theory doesn’t work with people, they

could be developed, it would be efficient

In order to get their machine out there

don’t respond to that. I also learned that

and cost effective.

into the larger wine growing countries,

the team is the most important piece of

With the help of Gary and Arnold Love

Marcus and Nigel required a partnership

the whole puzzle. As long as you have a

(Eagle Engineering in Waipara) the first

with a European viticultural machinery

really good team and the communication

Klima was born. The name is highly

company. After 12 months of research,

and the vision is right, then the rest of it

symbolic – being Greek for vine.

they formed that partnership with ERO

may not just happen by itself, but it will

It was a revolutionary idea and one

Weinbau.

work.”

that saw Marcus and Nigel dedicating

“What they have done, is adapt the

When he started he was the sole

themselves to perfecting the technology.

machinery to suit conditions in Europe,

worker, but within six years he had

The first trials were undertaken in 2008

where they have much smaller vines,

four managers, 25 permanents and

on the Mudhouse vines in Waipara.

smaller vineyards and smaller tractors .

then casuals working under him. Staff

2009 saw the first commercial trials on

The core function is the same though.”

numbers fluctuated, with the pruning

vineyards in Marlborough and by 2010

The success of the Klima, (known in

season being the busiest time of the

the first commercial machine was sold.

Europe as Viteco), was immediately

year. Marcus quickly recognised that the

Since then Marcus and partners have

recognised by professors from all major

sheer logistics of getting staff qualified

gone into partnership with ERO Weinbau

universities. “Scientists over there are

to undertake the most important task of

– Germany’s leading manufacturer of

very commercial in terms of viticulture.

the vineyard’s cycle, was a headache in

vineyard machinery, to develop the Klima

So if they say that this is the way of the

more ways than one. He and co-worker

for the European market. Despite the

future, then growers actually listen.”

Nigel George figured there had to be a

success in New Zealand, Marcus saw a

ERO was keen to take it to the wider

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

less. And we realised that

industry, and included the Cane Pruner

it takes to convince individuals of the

box of crimps plus wire strainers with it.

in their stand at two of the world’s largest

worthiness of new technology.

So another Kiwi company is benefiting

vitiucltural expo’s, SIMEI Enovitis in

“That is a lot of the work that we are

from our activity.”

Italy, last October and Sitevei held in

involved in now – convincing people that

And now there are other innovative ideas

Montpellier, France. The Klima, ended up

it will work.”

in the pipeline – ideas that Marcus says

taking the gold medal for innovation in

Another innovative aspect of the Klima

fit into the companies strategic objective

both shows, a first for any New Zealand

being sold in Europe, is ERO include New

of developing, creating and unearthing

or German company. For Marcus, it was

Zealand made Strainrite wire strainers

products that help grape growers all over

an unbelievable experience.

and crimping tools. While these tools are

the globe do more with less.

“The Sitevi Expo in Montpellier was held

standard inclusions on every vineyard or

Given all this success – and his success

in 15 massive halls, (each the size of

farm in New Zealand they are a novelty in

as New Zealand’s top young viticulturist

Marlborough Lines Stadium) and more

Europe according to Marcus.

and horticulturist, you could be forgiven

than 100,000 people visited during

“We always use and recommend to

for thinking Marcus was thinking only

the event. Just seeing our machine on

our customers Strainrite crimps for wire

viticulture for the future. But you would be

display alongside all the big names in

joining when using our machines. We

wrong. He still harbours a love of sheep

the industry, like Gregoire, John Deere,

just thought it was a standard piece of

and cattle. He still longs to be part of

Pellenc and New Holland was special.

equipment used everywhere. But getting

some commercially run farm somewhere

There was just a constant stream of

some rows prepared at Geisenheim

in New Zealand. But he’s prepared to wait

people walking past, so it was pretty

University, some of the professors were

a while longer – he has some other goals

cool.”

asking about “this contraption.’ When we

to achieve first.

The end result has been a flurry of orders

explained they were just wire strainers,

For that the wine industry can be very

from Italy, Germany, France and Austria.

they were amazed. Then when we joined

grateful.

Next year ERO will launch the machine

the wires with the crimping tool they said

into Russia the US and Chile.

that was even more amazing and wanted

The wins are an outstanding achievement

to know where we got them from. So

and have helped in some way to

now every machine we sell has a New

minimise the inevitable time frame that

Zealand made Strainrite crimping tool,

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

6/2012 WINEPRESS

|

19

GREAT VINES BEGIN WITH NURTURING CARE

HELPING GRAPE GROWERS DO MORE WITH LESS

plant

CERTIfIEd VINES

WITH CoNfIdENCE

CALL US oN 0800 444 614 Rex on 027 49 80 183 rex@mistyvalley.co.nz Donna on 021 84 98 39 donna@mistyvalley.co.nz

View our catalogue online www.mistyvalley.co.nz

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       

      

 

    

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

Marlborough Wines on The World TESSA NICHOLSON

It is the largest privately owned yacht in the world, has 165 luxury apartments and a wine cellar of 12,000 bottles. Recently The World added Bird Wines Marlborough to that impressive line up.

As part of the recent visit to New

entertainment officer,

Zealand, the locals on board The World

pre recorded quite a

were asked to put forward potential

significant pre amble

activity options. A former employer of

about the winery, the

Steve Bird, suggested that a wine tasting

vineyards, and the wines.

conducted by Steve would be ideal. The

So when the people

staff agreed and Bird Wines was one of

turned up (for the tasting)

only two New Zealand wine companies

they knew about the

to be given the honour, (the other was

wines, the brand and the

Craggy Range). Given all the hype about

history behind it.”

this floating luxury apartment, it wasn’t an

Which meant when Steve

honour he was going to turn down. And

got to his presentation,

the ship more than lived up to the hype.

he could be a lot more

“It is spectacular, it really is. The boat

informal.

is very well appointed, the food is

“I did a spiel about the company history,

outstanding, the atmosphere is very

about Marlborough as a region, the styles

relaxed. It is just a unique experience.”

and our markets, then left it open for

Steve had a choice of how he presented

general conversation and question time.”

the wine tasting, and chose not to travel

While the entire tasting was scheduled for

the formal route with a wine dinner,

90 minutes, Steve says the question time

instead preferring to conduct it in the

alone took that long.

Tapas Bar.

“Some of the people on the boat actually

“We could then have a winder range of

own vineyards and they wanted in depth

food tasting platters to go with the wines,

analysis of row spacing, vine spacing,

which served our needs better.”

soil, canopy management. It became

In terms of promoting the tasting to the

more than just a wine tasting. They

residents, Steve’s wines were featured on

wanted to know a lot of stuff, in minute

a short television programme, that ran on

detail.”

the ship’s own channel in the lead up.

One of the criteria for being involved in

“The head sommelier and the

a tasting on the ship, was Steve had to

be able to provide wines for the massive cellar.

“They were after wines not available commercially, so we drew off our library stock. They took a fair chunk of some of those wines, but I am glad we did it.”

The Bird wines now included among the 600 labels on board are; Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Pinot Gris 2011, Riesling 2010, Gewürztraminer 2008 and Big Barrel Pinot Noir 2009, all from Marlborough.

With a foot in the door, he says it is now up to him to ensure the relationship continues in the future.

“Should they wish to continue stocking our wines, then that will be great. But it’s up to us to capitalise on that.”

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

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MARLBOROUGH SILVER SECATEURS PRUNING COMPETITION 2012 FRI 22 JUNE 2012, FROM 9AM GROVETOWN VINEYARD, GROVE RD

Enter Marlborough’s largest Pruning Competition and be in to win over $1000 in cash & vineyard equipment prizes.

Visit the Wine Marlborough Jobs office and Fruitfed Supplies on Wynen St for entry forms or email claire@wine-marlborough.co.nz for queries.

Entries are limited

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Upcoming Competitions This month will see pruners slogging it out against each other with the Marlborough Silver Secateurs, while next month it will be the viticulturists turn in the Markham’s Young Viticulturist of the year.

Both competitions are a way to

winner agrees. He says taking part gave

If you are keen, and we hope you are,

acknowledge two important sectors of

him the confidence to think beyond his

you can pick up an entry form from Wine

the wine industry’s community - those that

own perceived abilities.

Marlborough’s office, or email Sarah

take on the task of pruning and those that

“I gained the confidence to do things way

Booker at; sarah@wine-marlborough.

manage the vines throughout the year.

outside my comfort zone. And it exposed

co.nz

In terms of the Markham’s Young

me to people I wouldn’t usually have

The Marlborough Markham’s Young

Viticulturist, Marlborough has an

had the opportunity to meet. You can’t

Viticulturist of the Year will be held at the

abundance of people eligible to enter.

go through something like that without

Research Centre on Friday July 20, with a

The only criteria are; you have to be

learning something about yourself and

formal dinner that night at Wither Hills.

under the age of 30 at the end of this

about the industry.”

year, you must be working full time in the

Both men agree that fear is often the

industry and have done so for the last

major reason people don’t enter. Fear

two years.

of looking foolish, plus fear of criticism.

Which opens the competition to dozens

Instead, they say, the gains far outweigh

of people. Unfortunately though, dozens

all of those fears.

of people don’t enter, which according to

Some of those gains include; the shared

previous contestants is a great shame.

skill base with other like minded people,

Simon Bishell, a three time contestant

gaining knowledge of strengths and

and 2008 winner, says the competition is

weaknesses, the opportunity to meet and

a great way to extend your knowledge.

talk with some of the most experienced

“Often in this job, we know what our

viticulturists in Marlborough, and the

strengths are, because those are

chance to win some magnificent prizes.

the things we love doing. But it’s not

Marlborough’s winner will go on to

until you enter a competition like the

represent the province at the national

Young Viticulturist that you are faced

competition, being held here in

with everything that encompasses the

Marlborough at the upcoming Romeo

growing of grapes. It wasn’t until the first

Bragato conference. The winner of that

time that I realised what areas I was really

will then represent the wine industry at

poor at.”

the Young Horticulturist of the Year in

Marcus Wickham, Marlborough’s first

November.

Silver Secateurs 2012 While there is no national competition this year, Wine Marlborough will still hold the local event. It will take place at Yealand’s Vineyard in Grovetown, on June 22, as part of a viticultural field day.

With displays, and demonstrations taking place throughout the day, the Silver Secateurs is for more than just those competing. A food tent will be on site, and a wide range of spot prizes will be up for grabs. The major categories are Novice pruning and tying, Open tying and pruning, plus the glamour teams event. Entries close on June 13, and forms can be picked up from the offices of Wine Marlborough.

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23

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

Business Solutions CHRIS ELPHICK

Couples working together Going into business with your spouse or partner may sound like a good idea – you know each other well, you care deeply for one another and you already have a shared sense of purpose.

But while many couples do work successfully together, it can also be a recipe for disaster. Before you decide to go into business with your spouse or partner, think carefully about whether it’s really right for you. How well do you work together in other situations? Could you spend long periods of time with each other? Do you have complementary skills?

Have clear roles and responsibilities It’s important to make sure that each of you has clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Sit down and make a list of all the tasks that need to be done, and assign them according to who is most suited to doing them. Then put it in writing so you have a record you can refer to if you find your roles starting to blur.

Among the other things you need to consider are: • The hours you will work • How much you will pay yourselves • Who has the authority to deal with money • Who will be responsible for the day-today financial records and bookkeeping • You also need to have clear rules around domestic tasks. Who will do the grocery shopping? How often will each of you cook dinner? How will you divide

your childcare responsibilities?

Separate home and work When you live and work together it’s easy to spend all your time talking about work.

If you want your relationship to survive, you need to keep your work life and your home life separate.

Schedule meetings during the working day, rather than holding impromptu meetings over dinner. It can also be helpful to agree that you will stop talking about work after a certain time in the evening. And make sure you set time aside for doing non-work activities together, such as going out for dinner or to a movie.

If you work from home, have a separate office for your business (if you have the space). At the very least, have a separate phone line.

Respect one another Respect is a vital part of the workplace, but it’s easy for couples who work together to start treating each other in disrespectful ways. As the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt.

It’s important to treat your partner with the same respect you would a workmate. Be courteous and thoughtful, use “please” and “thank you” and never fight in public – particularly in front of your customers or staff.

It’s also important to respect your partner’s skills. Thank them for a job well done and try not to see what you do as being more important than what they do; the success of your business depends

on your combined strengths. In the hospitality industry, for example, cleaning the restaurant or bar is just as important as greeting the guests.

Have separate working spaces If at all possible, try to have separate offices. If that’s not possible, look at setting up your office so that you each have a clearly defined working space.

If you work from home, get out of the house sometimes – on your own. Take your laptop to the local café, or to the library, and work there, or go for a walk while you make calls on your mobile phone.

Spend time apart One of the secrets of working successfully together as a couple is to spend time apart. In order to maintain your individuality you need to spend time doing things on your own – or with other people.

Have different hobbies, take short breaks away or separate holidays. Go to the gym or for a run at lunchtime. Schedule lunch dates or regular evening catch-ups with friends, so that you get the chance to talk to other people.

Chris Elphick is a Wellington-based business mentor, coach and trainer working throughout New Zealand and the Pacific with a range of business enterprises. For more business tips and information visit: www.chriselphick.co.nz

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Lex Thomson B.Vit & Oen. is available to assist the winegrower.

Viticulture services now include: • A training program for pruning staff. A qualified and experienced tutor will come to your vineyard and teach the fundamentals of correct pruning. Quality pruning produces balanced vines that increase yield and fruit quality.

• Help with S.W.N.Z scorecards and audits Visit www.vitpractice.co.nz for details about our full range of viticulture services.

Ph: 021 230 2348 Email: lexthomson@vitpractice.co.nz

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

To have your event included in next month’s calendar please email details to tessa.nicholson@me.com JUNE 13

Marlborough Wine Research Centre and Plant & Food Seminar – 4pm – 5.30pm – Research Centre Theatre

19

NZW South Island Grape Days – Marlborough Convention Centre, Blenheim

22

Marlborough Silver Secateurs Competition – Yealand’s Estate Grovetown, start 9am

29

Marlborough Winegrowers Board Meeting

JULY 11

Marlborough Wine Research Centre and Plant & Food Seminar – 4pm – 5.30pm – Research Centre Theatre

20

Marlborough Markham’s Young Viticulturist of the Year Competition

27

Marlborough Winegrowers Board Meeting

AUGUST 22 - 24

Romeo Bragato Conference – Blenheim – details at www.bragato.org.nz

22

National Markham’s Young Viticulturist Competition final - Blenheim

31

Marlborough Winegrowers Board Meeting

SEPTEMBER 4 – 6

Spiegelau International Wine Competition judging – Blenheim

28

Marlborough Winegrowers Board Meeting

OCTOBER 15 – 17

Marlborough Wine Show judging – Blenheim

NOVEMBER 24

Air New Zealand Wine Awards Dinner - Wellington

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News From Home and Away Confirmed Sale After nearly two years on the market, the former Cape Campbell Cable Station Road vineyard has been sold, to Mission Estate. The 100 ha, is planted mainly in Sauvignon Blanc with some Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Popular growers Murray and Daphne Brown will continue to manage the vineyard on behalf of Mission.

It’s great news for the Marlborough region in terms of confidence in the wines coming from here, according to Stuart Smith.

“As far as I’m aware, it’s the first time the winery [Mission Estate] has bought outside its region. Out of the rest of the country, they chose to buy here, and that’s a huge positive for Marlborough as the country’s primary winegrowing region,” he told the Marlborough Express.

Plant & Food Seminars Researchers at Marlborough’s Plant & Food are planning a number of seminars on winegrowing and viticulture, over the next few months. The next seminar will be held on June 13, focusing on Designer Grapevines. Marc Grevan, Damian Martin and Jeff Bennett will present information; on cane numbers and their influence on Sauvignon Blanc, effects of temperature and yield on Sauvignon phenology, Pinot Noir inflorescence and bunch position influences and Pinot Noir bunch variation and the effect of shoulders.

On July 11 a further seminar on Botrytis Support Models and Risk Assessment tools will be held.

All the seminars are free of charge and will be held at the Marlborough Research Centre Theatre, 4 – 5.30.

Accolades 2012 Ultimate Wine Challenge New York – Framingham Sauvignon Blanc 2011 won the Sauvignon Blanc Chairman’s Trophy Decanter Wine Awards 92 per cent of all New Zealand wines entered into the Decanter Wine Awards 2012 were awarded a medal – making this country the most successful of any taking part.

In terms of Marlborough there were eight gold medals awarded.

900 Grapes Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Esk Valley Pinot Noir 2010, Marisco Vineyards A Sticky End Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Saint Clair Pioneer Block Sauvignon Blanc Snap Block 18 2011, Shingle Peak Reserve Release Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Stanley Estates Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Sunday Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2010.

International Wine Challenge Gold Medal Winners Lawson’s Dry Hills Pinot Noir 2010, Nautilus Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2010, Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Pinot Noir 2010, Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc, 2011, Esk Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010, Vidal Reserve Series Sauvignon Blanc 2011, The Kings Favour Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Huia Chardonnay 2008, Tarras Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Shingle Peak Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marks & Spencer Single Block Series Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Yealands Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009.

Sommelier Wine Awards Best New World Producer – Saint Clair

Family Estate New World Gewuztraminer – Lawson’s Dry Hills The Pioneer, 2010 New World Pinot Gris – Yealands Estate 2010 New World Pinot Noir – Delta Hatters Hill 2009 New World Sauvignon Blanc – Saint Clair Wairau Reserve 2011 Gold Medals to; Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Saint Clair Awatere Valley Reserve Noble Riesling 2009, Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Craggy Range Avery Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011.

By The Glass Winner New World Pinot Gris – Yealands Estate 2010 Discussed Bid Bill Foley, an American billionaire looks set to make a bid to buy The New Zealand Wine Company, based in Marlborough. With well-known labels like Grove Mill, Sanctuary and Frog Haven, the New Zealand Wine Company has been looking at capital restructuring and reducing bank debt. Foley already owns a number of wineries in New Zealand, including Clifford Bay and Vavasour here in Marlborough, Te Kairanga in Wairarapa and Goldwater Estate in Waiheke. He will however need to gain the approval of the shareholders as well as Overseas Investment Office and NZX Takeovers Panel consent. It is unlikely that will take place before the end of this month.

QUALITY Marlborough Pinot Noir and Riesling fruit wanted for 2013 vintage and onwards. Please email: marlbwine@hotmail.co.nz

Disclaimer: The views and articles that are expressed and appear in Winepress are those 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.

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6/2012 WINEPRESS

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

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Hillocks Road, Rapaura • 31.235ha (77.18 acres) • Located in the desirable Rapaura region, renowned for low frost risk and reliable yields of quality fruit • 22ha planted Sauvignon Blanc with no current fruit supply contract in place • 2.7m rows x 1.8m plant spacings • 3 bedroom 1900’s villa, major renovations in 2002 included repiling, replumbing, rewiring, approx. 1.5ha of grazable paddocks • Several sheds and outbuildings including 12m x 9m Totalspan shed with office, smoko room and toilet/shower, a chemical shed and wash-down area • An aesthetic wetland in the centre of the vineyard is planted with several natives, pitosporums and specimen trees with native birdlife in residence

Deadline Sale 4pm, Wed 4 Jul 2012

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