Wine Marlborough
Our purpose, our beliefs and our character
Our purpose | Why we exist Our purpose is to proudly stand up for, and build, the reputation of Marlborough’s wine region.
Our beliefs | What we stand for
• Providing leadership in times of opportunity, challenge and success.
• Unite and connect the industry to build the reputation of Marlborough’s wine region.
• Future proofing the success of our members.
• Building a window for the world to fall in love with Marlborough’s wine region.
Our character | Who we are
• Courageous to hold the industry to high standards.
• Innovative to create sustainable funding and value.
• Focused to achieve sector-wide clarity on roles and responsibility.
• Respected to make a valued contribution.
• Grounded to know what is important to our Members.
• Committed to developing a sustainable future.
Our photos
• This page – Marlborough Wine & Food Festival. Photo: Roady NZ
• Cover photo – Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc content captured for #SauvBlancDay. Photo: Roady NZ.
• Back Cover – Historical photos were gathered for the Marlborough Wine Show Celebration Evening held November 2023.
The 2024 Annual Report summarises Wine Marlborough Ltd activity from November 2023 - November 2024. This is from when the 2023 report was published up until the 2024 AGM. Content has been republished from Winepress Magazine.
Chair's Report
BETH FORREST
Last year was a year of celebration and reflection on the Marlborough wine industry’s success story with the significant milestone of turning 50 years as a wine growing region.
It has been a stellar ride to global recognition and success, and it would be so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that this wave will continue forever.
How quickly we have had to readjust and reset our expectations over the past twelve months. The situation has changed for many who may be experiencing a slowing rate of sales, too much stock, changing consumption preferences, vineyards reaching replacement age or maybe having a varietal mix that isn’t optimal.
Your board are committed to making a difference and sharing information is key. However, to uptake information and make use of it, people have to be on the lookout for it and connected and engaged with the industry. Our job is to package information up and deliver the right info to the right person.
Our recent ‘Snapshot of the Marlborough wine industry’ survey provided important insights for your regional association and led to the ‘Industry Outlook’ summary report being published in September Winepress. Continuing the theme of information sharing, a Marlborough Wine Industry Pre harvest Summit will be held in late November with speakers providing insights on three topics; vineyard financials, cost management in the vineyard and forecasting supply to match demand and carryover inventory.
Some of the particular highlights for us as a board this year.
We brought WinePRO to the region with Expertise Events and Marlborough District Council in June and are planning WinePRO 2026. Over 1,450 unique visitors visited 100 exhibitors over two days. Approximately 300 people chose from 25 sessions in the WinePRO Conference. The positive encouragement and feedback will enable the event to return better than this first successful effort.
Significant investment in workforce planning was supported by funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, New Zealand Winegrowers, and MRC. A first of its kind Skills Report for the wine industry was completed by BERL and released in May. Food and Fibre CoVE (Centre
of Vocational Excellence) and Muka Tangata, (Workforce Development Council for People, Food and Fibre) have singled this work out as an exemplar and have asked to work with the industry to develop further understanding of wine industry roles, to look for commonalities amongst similar primary industries and produce practical resources to help attract and retain workforce. This continues this work and will improve outcomes.
We are embarking on a regional water resilience project having submitted with Federated Farmers into the Marlborough District Council Long Term Plan. Our vision is for a regional response to a changing climate, one where there is enough adaptability in the system for all water users to win. We are at the beginning of a long project, and you will hear more about this.
It’s well known that Wine Marlborough deliver great events, but costs are increasing far faster than revenues. This year the board agreed to a commercial audit of the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival event by an independent expert. The request was to review the event, recommend any improvements and give the board four options for after the 2025 event which is locked in for delivery.
The review found the event was extremely well managed, with a clearly defined purpose and measurable strategic objectives. The board are assessing three options – refine and continue delivery in house, outsource delivery of the event and deploy staff involved to other priorities, or wind up the event.
The geographical indication boundary has been a topic of discussion with some feeling the boundary is too large and
Beth Forrest
threatens the potential quality and volume of what can be Marlborough wine. We are looking closely at this issue and will consult with members to gather thoughts and opinions. Any change would need significant education and patience.
Wine Marlborough continues to be a hub for gathering problem solvers together through projects like the Circular Wine group working on industry waste and greener solutions to energy and processes, the Wellbeing Group, who collaborate with Farmstrong and continue to promote the need to balance work with the Five Ways to Wellbeing and recognise excellent practices here, the Young Viticulturist and Young Winemaker committees who
From the General Manager
MARCUS PICKENS
Our role is to support members’ interests and build the reputation of the Marlborough wine region, whether the region is thriving or facing challenges. Our small team has worked hard over the past year to achieve this.
Each year we use an annual plan based on the board’s strategic review and this year are focusing on four key areas: Communication, People, Community, and Natural Resources. Each area has priority goals set by the board, along with additional objectives from the team.
Key projects include enhancing our regional branding, reviewing Winepress Magazine, and improving our communications through a new NZ Winegrowers CRM. We are also developing an engagement plan for members and building partnerships with iwi. Water and labour are significant focus areas, with several projects addressing these issues.
Being based in Marlborough and on the MRC Campus at Te Pokapu Wina o Aotearoa, New Zealand Wine Centre, is a significant advantage. This site continues to blossom with entities like Plant and Food, BRI, NMIT and the recently opened Te Whenua Tupu, The Living Lab, bringing members and important visitors together.
Collaboration with partners has led to successful projects, such as the Wine Harvest Guidelines for Transporting Grapes with Ia Ara Transporting New Zealand, resulting in record low grape spills and accidents this season. An RSE introductory session with NZEE and a welcome campaign with Welcoming Communities are just two examples of work we do to maintain our social license.
champion our newer talent pools, and the Wine Tourism steering group who work to connect all involved in this part of the wine and tourism sectors and make our destination as good as it can be.
There are too many groups and too much activity to list and it makes the job of being involved in your industry association a rewarding experience. I want to thank all those who contribute their time to advance our industry. Also there needs to be a huge thank you passed to all current and past board members and Wine Marlborough staff for their support and I encourage any other ‘big picture’ thinkers to join the team and be a part of shaping our next 50 years.
WinePRO was a successful project co-designed and delivered with support from a steering group and Marlborough District Council. Our other events, like the Marlborough Wine Show and Young Winemaker and Young Viticulturist events, continue to showcase Marlborough wines and celebrate talent. Special thanks to Tonnellerie de Mercury for their decade-long support and to Loren Coffey for leading our events. Loren’s dedication, flair, and meticulous care have been instrumental in ensuring the success of all our events.
We deeply appreciate our industry partners and sponsors, who help make our activities exceptional. Our newsletter boasts a high open rate, and our brand work is highly regarded. Our website serves as a valuable resource, with all marketing and communications expertly curated by Sarah Linklater, whose talent and dedication are invaluable.
We farewelled Nicci Armour and welcomed Ruth Berry to the advocacy role. Ruth has been a great addition, supporting our members since joining in June. We also had a change in the editorial role for Winepress, with Sophie Preece stepping aside for Bev Doole who we welcome to the team.
A heartfelt thank you to all our team members for their hard work and dedication. Your efforts are the backbone of our success.
Thank you to everyone involved that supports our regional association and provides feedback to help us support you.
Marcus Pickens
Treasurer’s Report
Marlborough Winegrowers 2024
Financial Result
ANDREW NATION
I am excited to share with you some key highlights from the past financial year. As we reflect on our achievements and challenges, I am proud to report that our organisation received the largest ever levy return of $617,199 for FY24. This remarkable figure, although under five per cent of the total levy paid by our members to NZW, underscores the dynamic nature of our funding, which fluctuates based on wine sales volumes and harvest sizes.
Our organisation, Marlborough Winegrowers (MWG), operates through Wine Marlborough Limited, which serves as our activity centre. The levy funds we receive are crucial for supporting generic activities that benefit all our members. These funds are transferred as working capital each month, ensuring the smooth operation of our initiatives.
The other revenue we receive is from events, advertising and the Winepress magazine. These income streams generally remained stable; however, there was a strong performance from Winepress, our key communications tool. This stability, coupled with extra income from other events, allowed us to employ a nearly full-time events assistant to support the event manager and team. This addition was instrumental in enhancing our operations, although it did contribute to an increase in operating expenditure.
Financially, we ended the year with an annual consolidated surplus of $148,063. Our accumulated members’ equity has grown to $1,315,354. In light of this, the board has a reserves policy to safeguard a core amount of these accumulated funds for potential emergency working capital use. The remaining funds are ringfenced as ‘restricted funds’ to be used for industry good activities.
However, we also face significant challenges ahead. The financial year we are currently in is likely to reduce our accumulated funds due to the tighter financial environment we are navigating. We face the same challenges as our members, given the way our levy funding is derived. This situation requires us to be more strategic and prudent in our financial planning and resource allocation.
“We face the same challenges as our members, given the way our levy funding is derived. This situation requires us to be more strategic and prudent in our financial planning and resource allocation.”
Andrew Nation
Despite these challenges, our commitment to supporting our members and the broader industry remains unwavering. We are dedicated to finding innovative solutions and strategies to navigate these tough times and continue delivering value to our members.
I would like to extend my thanks to my fellow board members and, in particular, the members of the finance committee. Your support and ongoing guidance has been invaluable in steering the organisation through the past year, and will be required to help guide the Marlborough Winegrowers through this current year.
In closing, I have the responsibility of recommending the Auditor to the role for the coming 12 months. The board recommends continuing to use current auditors of Crowe New Zealand Audit Partnership of Nelson.
Thank you, Andrew Nation, Treasurer.
Andrew Nation
Our vintage
Marlborough’s 2024 vintage provided perfect conditions for a small but stella harvest.
312,812 tonnes total volume of grapes harvested, which is 81.8% of New Zealand’s 2024 crop. The lighter yields will result in a financial hit for the region, but the season could provide a valuable reset for the long-term health of the wine industry, given current discussions of oversupply.
21% down on the 2023 vintage, which yielded 393,865 tonnes. Inflorescence counts, which are an early indication of potential yields, revealed lower than typical bunch numbers, and lower than typical berries per bunch. This was exacerbated by patchy flowering, warm days, ultra dry conditions and an autumnal shift to cold nights in March.
275,310 tonnes of the pick was Sauvignon Blanc, making up 88% of the region’s total harvest. This was 21% down on the 2023 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc harvest.
30,444 hectares of producing vineyard area in Marlborough was recorded in the New Zealand Winegrowers Vineyard Report 2024, representing 72% of New Zealand’s total producing vineyard area (42,519 ha). 59% of the total NZ production area is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at 25,157 ha.
This photo Digital content was captured for the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival in February 2024. This image shows the extremly dry conditions just before harvest. Photo RoadyNZ
Vintage Report
MARLBOROUGH’S 2024 vintage could have been “dialled up” for winemakers, says Blank Canvas co-owner Matt Thomson with low yields, warm days, ultra dry conditions, and an autumnal shift to cold nights in March. “You couldn’t have asked for better from a timing point of view.”
Loose grape bunches from a poor flowering reduced disease risk, while the region’s drought conditions in the lead up to harvest prevented the growth of botrytis spores, as did cold March nights, resulting in the healthiest harvest of Matt’s winemaking career, “by some margin”. Meanwhile, the fruit was “amazing”, Matt adds. The winemaker has 63 vintages under his belt, with 32 of them in Marlborough, and reckons this could be the pick of them. “You don’t know until the wines are made and finished, but this feels like the best vintage in those 63 harvests. It’s quite incredible.”
Inflorescence counts, which are an early indication of potential yields, revealed lower than typical bunch numbers, and lower than typical berries per bunch, says Forrest Wines winemaker Beth Forrest. That situation was exacerbated by patchy flowering in spring 2023. “While it was not exceptionally cold or exceptionally wet, it wasn’t exceptionally warm either, and there were a couple of cold snaps.” The lighter yields will result in a financial hit for the region, but the season could provide a valuable reset for the long-term health of the wine industry, given current discussions of oversupply. “I think it is a positive outlook for the longevity of the industry, following two slightly bigger harvests,” Beth says. “It’s Mother Nature creating a balancing effect.”
According to VineFacts weather data, the three-month rainfall total as of March 19 was well below half of average (42%), while evapotranspiration was well above average at 111%. Charlotte Tomlinson, a hydrologist with the Marlborough District Council, says little “top ups” of rain in the catchment at fortuitous times meant many of the region’s grape growers escaped water restriction and by the time the Wairau River was fully restricted in late March, harvest was well underway.
Pernod Ricard New Zealand Group Winemaker Jamie Marfell says the relentlessly fine weather resulted in the easiest harvest in his 34 years of Marlborough winemaking. Low crops and “stunning” quality will see Pernod Ricard Winemakers directing a good proportion of its fruit to higher tier wines, to maintain vintage release dates in those
brackets, he says. Slowing orders for New Zealand wine are likely to mean a later than typical roll over date for some wines, with 2023 wines in market longer, which will help cover the shortfall of 2024’s vintage.
Jules Taylor of Jules Taylor Wines notes that a couple of very cold nights at the start of October resulted in a little frost damage for some, particularly in the Southern Valleys of Marlborough. That was followed by inclement weather over flowering, leading to light crop levels. But the 2024 wines from Marlborough should taste “spectacular”.
“The wines are beautifully rich and ripe, and flavours across the fruit spectrum have developed in all varieties.” Jules Taylor
It’s also good news for Foley Wines, which owns Grove Mill and Vavasour Wines. Group winemaker Stu Marfell says crop levels were down in the Awatere and Wairau Valleys, and the hot, dry summer spurred rapid ripening. But in early March “the switch got flicked from summer to autumn overnight”, in perfect timing for the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay harvest. The classic autumn conditions from there on in, with a strong diurnal range, are perfect for Marlborough grapegrowers, ensuring “really good acid and so much flavour”, but also called for frost fighting measures on the coldest nights, Stu says. “It’s cool climate winemaking; that’s what we do.” The quality of fruit this season has given winemakers opportunity to make excellent wines, he adds. “Everything is superpowered; bright and intense.
Jules Taylor. Photo Lisa Duncan
Winepress Magazine
January 20224
Winepress continues to be one of our most well-received and best-read forms of communication. Each month 800 copies are printed and sent to Marlborough growers, wine companies and key industry personnel across the country. Many of our advertisers have had a place in Winepress since the first edition, and new advertisers have come on board over the years. The scale of advertising allows us to publish more articles for you. The May 2024 issue of Winepress marked the 100th and final issue prepared by Sophie Preece who had been Editor of the magazine since 2015. We welcomed Bev Doole to the team in June and know that Winepress will continue to deliver the content and stories you love.
Here is a recap of the editions from December 2023 to November 2024
December 2023
Four Marlborough wine industry pioneers – James Healy, Dave Pearce, Tessa Anderson, and Murray Gibbons – were awarded a Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Award. The Isabel Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 was Champion Wine at the Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect and we talked to winemaker Jeremy McKenzie.
As the region rolled into 2024, Winepress got some insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead and we celebrated James Healy, one of four industry stalwarts awarded a Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Award. On the Cover: Whitehaven Wines aimed to return a Wairau Valley farm to indigenous forest, creating a biodiversity hotspot and carbon sink. “Carbon offsetting aside, the primary motivation for this project was to give something back, to create something that will have a lasting impact for the environment and the people in our community,” says sustainability manager Josh Barclay.
March 2024
Tinder dry conditions had winegrowers using every drop of water with care, says Dog Point Vineyards' Anna Dunne in the lead up to harvest. As the second Wine Industry Wellness Week approaches the industry looked at ways of balancing productivity and wellbeing to ensure long term success in leading Wellness.
April 2024
February 2024
On the cover: Marlborough Tour Company customers were eager to try local wines while cruising the Marlborough Sounds. We talked to the tour operator, as well as cellar doors, about a wine tourism reset. Marlborough predicted a significant drop in yields this season.
The 2024 harvest delivered stellar quality and low yields. The season may bring financial ramifications for many, but Marlborough's wine industry remains resilient, says Rosie Jarvis of BDO Marlborough. As Rob Agnew prepares to hang up his phenology hat, we looked at what his work, and VineFacts, meant for the Marlborough wine industry. The inaugural WinePro New Zealand, held in Blenheim in June, is not just an exhibition, said organisers. “Attendees will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge equipment, discover top-tier suppliers and engage with industry experts.” On the cover: Huia winemaker Josh Lee and viticulturist Andy Gillions in the midst of the 2024 vintage.
May 2024
The 2023-2024 growing season was a “testbed” for Cloudy Bay’s autonomous vineyard tractor V3. “The quality of the jobs completed rivalled that of conventional tractor operations,” says Cloudy Bay vineyard innovation and engineering manager Murray Faber. WinePRO was an opportunity to explore cutting edge technology already at play in New Zealand’s wine industry.
July 20224
WinePRO attracted hundreds keen to see the latest technology and equipment, meet the suppliers and engage with industry experts. On the cover are the WinePRO architects - Marcus Pickens, Wine Marlborough and Mark Unwin, Marlborough District Council. The NZ Winegrowers vintage update tells of a rollercoaster ride and all-round uncertainty.
June 2024
The next generation is stepping up to take over. In the first of a new series we heard from the Weaver family at Churton. Cellar door teams met to compare notes on the summer season and come up with improvements. Ormond Nurseries celebrated the opening of a new facility that is a game-changer for biosecurity. It’s been a tough year so how has that been reflected in Workplace Wellbeing?
August 20224
Ten contestants tested themselves in the Marlborough Young Viticulurist competition. Top honours went to Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands. Results are in for the Workforce Survey, with guidance on how to attract and keep good staff. The Glover family weave together their skills and experience to create a business for the next generation.
September 2024
It was third time lucky for VinLink’s Nick Lamain, named Marlborough’s top Young Winemaker for 2024 amid tough competition. Beth Forrest, Chair of Marlborough Winegrowers, takes a deep dive into concerns about supply and sales in an industry outlook. Olivia Doonan from Tūpari Wines was part of a combined effort to get the new cellar door rules passed in time for summer. The Government has announced some long-awaited changes to the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme and we featured three RSE accommodation providers who share their experience of what does and doesn’t work.
Octeober 2024
A school poster project to welcome RSE workers has spin-offs for learning and understanding. As well as getting creative with welcoming posters to greet this summer’s RSE workers, they found out what life is like for RSE workers at home and the differences they face in Marlborough. Welcoming Communities aims to create a place where everyone feels included, and as their teacher Lucy Smith says: “It’s all about embracing different cultures. It makes for a much more interesting place than when I was growing up in Blenheim.” A strong work ethic and flair for innovation is being passed on in the family behind Ormond Nurseries as we talk to Frances and Ben Wickham in the succession series.
November 2024
The judges of the Marlborough Wine Show confirm it has been a stellar year for Sauvignon Blanc. Exceptional fruit became exceptional wine and there was a lot to celebrate at the show’s long lunch. Ben and Frances Wickham, Rob Agnew, and Daniel and Adele Le Brun received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Awards.
EDUCATE
RSE Forum
Wine Marlborough and New Zealand Ethical Employers held a forum on the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to offer information on how the scheme operates in Marlborough, and to give community leaders a chance to connect with key RSE stakeholders, ask questions, and build knowledge on how the scheme operates. 41 people attended the session on 6 December 2023.
Winery Pre-vintage Waste Workshop
Operations managers, engineers, cellar staff and senior management responsible for resource consent conditions and meeting permitted activity requirements attended a pre-harvest workshop held 20 February 2024. The session shared learnings from V23 compliance monitoring and a case study on revitalising waterways to support winery waste management practices over harvest.
Vineyard, Contractor & Transport Operators
Pre-harvest Information Session
Harvest operators heard from Marlborough Roads, New Zealand Transport Agency (formerly Waka Kotahi), Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Incorporated, Marlborough Lines, New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Winegrowers Biosecurity team. Held on the 27 February 2024 Wine Marlborough Ltd collaborated to produce the Wine Harvest Guidelines for Transporting Grapes.
Dvelopment of the 2024 Annual Plan
The board reviewed the Wine Marlborough Ltd Strategic goals in March 2024. This was used to update the Strategic Plan Summary and build the organisation’s annual plan for the financial year (1 July – 30 June). The board will complete a strategic plan reivew, SWOT and annual prioritires by February 2025.
Sharing our stories
Each month a handful of Winepress magazine stories are shared with the wider community through the Marlborough Express and its network of community papers to help connect the wider Marlborough community to our industry.
Wine Marlborough Educate Strategy
• We’re used as the key source of information for Marlborough’s wine region
• Highlight key issues and support Members understanding
• Build understanding and culture around Social License
Favourite posters: RSE workers from Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati and Samoa gathered at Vinepower in Riverlands to help choose the Welcoming Communities posters.
(Clockwise from left) Sitiveni Dakunimata, Micah Bulemis, Dhirendra Swami, Rayna Swami, Titus Aloko, Johnson Kagu, Fabian Ekil Yaiya, Maungaunga Tinaua, Iaseto Falanai, Tutu Jack, Liona Junior Taala and Kay Lawrence. Article featured in October 2024 Winepress
Industry Outlook survey
In August 2024, the board surveyed wine companies and grape growers to get a health check of the industry. The survey had a response rate fo close to 30% of wine companies, and 20% of growers with a good cross section of size. This survey was used to address concerns about supply and sales and offer some guidince in Winepress.
Welcoming our RSE Workers
As part of Marlborough's Welcoming Communities strategy, during the Wecoming Week September 6 - September 14, local primary school children created posters to welcome the RSE workers. These posters highlight the themes of community, belonging, and contributing focusing on our Pacific neighbours and their relationship with New Zealand and were shared in the October issue of Winepress.
Marlborough Environment Awards
Marlborough Winegrowers is a proud trustee of the Marlborough Environment Awards and are very pleased to sponsor the wine industry category. The event helps promote some of the environmental excellence occurring in our region.
marlboroughwinenz.com
The webiste continues to evlove to be the key source of information for Marlborough's wine region. New pages have been developed to share key initiatives from industry working groups - including the wine tourism hub, workforce planning information, marlborough wine industry wellness week and the circular wine group.
GROW
Young Viticulturist of the year
For the first time in 19 years, three women claimed the podium spots at the Marlborough 2024 Young Viticulturist of the Year Competition. Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands won the overall competition, with Liv Bishop from Delegat as the runner-up and Laura Hammond from Babich Wines coming in third. This year marked a significant milestone, as the competition expanded to include 10 contestants. Held at Whitehaven Wines on July 4, 2024, the spectator event experienced its largest spectator audience to date. 180 contestants, supporters and sponsors came together for the celebration evening event. Additionally regional sponsorship grew by 45%.
Young Winemaker of the year
It was third time lucky for VinLink’s Nick Lamain, who was named Marlborough’s top Young Winemaker for 2024 amid tough competition. Ellie Hobbs from Rose Family Estate took second place, while Ruby McManaway from Yealands secured third. The contestants, nine in total, faced a grueling series of winemaking tasks, including judging six 2019 Marlborough Chardonnays as if on a wine show panel, creating a low-alcohol Sauvignon Blanc, and conducting laboratory tests to ensure compliance with legal requirements. The competition which was held on July 31, 2024, also involved fault-finding, demonstrating general winemaking knowledge, and participating in interviews and speeches at the awards dinner which featured 170 attendees made up of contestant support, national and 8 local sponsors.
Wine Tourism – Cellar Door Steering Group
The Wine Tourism Steering Group continues to work in close partnership with the industry and Destination Marlborough to implement the Destination Management Plan Wine Tourism Strategy. Terms of reference were established focusing collaborative work on the following areas: booking systems, food options, independent travellers, licencing and capability building. A voluntary code of conduct set out five principles for cellar doors and tour operators to work in partnership. End of season and pre season meetings were hosted for all involved in wine tourism to share experiences and challenges. Training was hosted for booking systems and DTC shipping solutions.
Farewell Vakameasina
After 14 years, the RSE worker training programme provided by Fruition Horticulture has come to an end. Wine Marlborough has sponsored the Vakameasina Marlborough Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme and attended every graduation ceremony held in 2023 and 2024.
Advocacy Manager
Ruth Berry, a connector with a strong background in strategy, research organisations and policy analysis, was appointed the new advocacy manager at Wine Marlborough in June 2024. Ruth comes to Wine Marlborough from her role as Co-Director (Tangata Tiriti) of the Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities National Science Challenge.
Circular Wine Group
Supported by Wine Marlborough Ltd, and the national association, New Zealand Winegrowers. The industry led group’s purpose is to work together to innovate and problem-solve, utilising experiences within individual businesses for the good of the wider Marlborough wine industry and the region. Projects include Marc, Lees and other initaitves such as glass and decarbonisation. Liz Webb was appointed the group facilitator and two workshops were hosted for the industry in May including Dr Simon Nordestgaard of AWRI discussing zero emission tractor technology and Angus MacDonald from Chandler Glass New Zealand giving an overview of their carbon measuring process.
• Develop and maintain strong and wide networks
• Unite stakeholders, and guide and influence decision makers
• Create distinctive culture and regional identity
Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year competitors
Wine Marlborough Grow Strategy
Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year competitors
PROTECT
Marlborough Wine Industry Wellness Week
Run digitally at the end of May, the week aims to showcase and share initiatives that support staff and encourage a culture of wellbeing in the workplace. Hunter’s Wines won the Most Impactful Initiative Award for the way they integrated the Five Ways to Wellbeing - Take Notice, Give, Be Active, Connect, and Keep Learning - during Mental Health week in September. Forrest Wines won the Leadership Award for two initiatives to boost physical health, foster team spirit and provide a balanced and fun work environment. All staff finish at 3pm on Fridays to have some extra time for selfcare, and a personal trainer comes in for the Never Miss a Monday boot camps - an energising workout to start the week. The award judges say these were all great wellness examples that could be easily replicated. With 24 entries this year (compared to 14 in 2023) it looks like the message is getting out. Judges also awarded three honourable mentions: Wither Hills for providing a relaxing chill-out room during harvest that’s now available all year; Yealands for the lunch-and-learn sessions on finances including budgeting, home ownership and Kiwisaver; and NZ Wineries for their enthusiastic instagram engagement during Wellness Week
Wine Industry Workforce Survey launched
Amanda Reid from Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL) was commissioned by Wine Marlborough, in partnership with New Zealand Winegrowers and the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, to assist with gathering data on current and future workforce needs. She spoke at the WinePRO conference in Blenheim and highlighted the need for wine businesses to work together on labour workforce issues. The Report is publicly available for use by industry and key stakeholders in future decision making www. nzwine.com/en/careers/skilled-wine-workforce-report/.
Environment Plan
Water rights and access continues to be a significant focus for Wine Marlborough. Wine Marlborough completed the mediation and hearing process for the Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan (PMEP). The PMEP
Wine Marlborough Protect Strategy
• Forecasting and research is available to inform our thinking and guide our outputs
• Wine Marlborough are the champions for Members and represent their rights and interests
• We help Members stay ‘match-fit’ by supporting their resilience and wellbeing
shapes our operating baselines, and alongside our legal team, gained some important amendments to the PMEP Water Quantity and Water Qualities chapters. We are now working with MDC to update key information gaps in data supporting irrigation policies and rules and getting more certainty on how policies and rules are applied by council staff.
Circular Wine
With support from industry and MDC funding we have engaged a facilitator for the Circular Wine Group. The focus of the group over the last year has been focused on three key areas; eliminating liquid lees to ponds and dewatered sludge to landfill by 2026; a long-term sustainable solution for marc by 2030; and a definition of regenerative viticulture that is relevant and restorative for Marlborough. Guidelines for spreading marc are being finalised and a Circular Wine area on the Wine Marlborough Website is being established.
Quarterly meetings with MDC
We meet with the Marlborough District Council (MDC) quarterly to discuss matters of interest from both sides. Councillors want to engage with members doing business in the region and understand industry issues. Our board members are your representatives in that forum. Bring forward your challenges and we will receive a fair hearing and seek solutions. Over the last year this has led to MDC agreeing to provide support for WinePRO 2026. MDC are also working with industry on the impacts of new drinking water standards, in particular the requirement to chlorinate water supplies, and options for Riverlands Industrial area and Cloudy Bay Business Park to ensure that there is a safe and reliable chlorine free water supply for winemaking.
Amanda Reid presnting at WinePRO, June 2024.
CELEBRATE
Marlborough Wine Show Celebration
Marlborough’s wine industry paid homage to 50 years of foresight, innovation and collaboration at the Marlborough Wine Show Celebration Evening - Honouring 50 years of Marlborough Wine. The anniversary dinner was also a chance to celebrate some of the region’s best wines, with the presentation of 22 trophies from the 2023 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect. In presenting the awards, chief judge Stu Marfell acknowledged the work of early pioneers in enabling today’s Marlborough wine producers to continue pushing the boundaries and making an impression across the globe. Four Marlborough wine industry pioneers – James Healy, Dave Pearce, Tessa Anderson, and Murray Gibbons – were awarded a Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
More than 250 industry members gathered in October 2024 to celebrate the successes of trophy winners in the 2024 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, and of Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024 picked up the top award (pictured below). The winner of the NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award, sponsored by Marlborough Research Centre was Brancott Estate, with the 2016, 2013 and 2010 vintages of their Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Wine Show
Eighty-six gold medals were awarded in 2024, up from 46 last year. The total number of entries was on par with 2023, with more than 500 wines entered into the Show Deputy Chair and Guest Judge Sam Kim says the Current Vintage Sauvignon Blanc class was a standout of his entire career. International Guest Judge Elaine Chukan Brown, from the United States, had been taking interest in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for some years, and said being part of the judging panel at the Show this year was both insightful and motivating. “What I saw in this year’s tasting was an elevation of nuance to place, sophistication and quality. The level of wines was impressive,” Elaine says. “What I found especially satisfying was how clear the expression of
Marlborough’s various subregions has become. Tasting by subregions really helped amplify the sense of distinction and balance the wines have developed even more. The top Sauvignon Blancs in the tasting were honestly thrilling.”
Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
The festival is nearly 40 years old, but each February it’s made fresh, new, and compelling, with a carefully curated array of new music, exciting food, and accessible wine education. That’s thanks to the dedication of the Wine Marlborough crew, led by events manager Loren Coffey, and a team of industry supporters and returning sponsors who see the long-term value it brings our region and its wine industry. The 2024 event introduced pop-up restaurants, with two Blenheim favourites test-driving the new initiative. Sam Webb was also in the Culinary Pavilion with his long-time friend Andy Hearnden, the internet sensation behind Andy Cooks, with millions of online followers. Celebrated chef Michael Meredith was also in the Culinary Pavilion with acclaimed chef Matt Lambert. At the time of this report, planning is well underway for the 2025 event. Tickets were released six weeks earlier than previous years with the VIP Retreat and The Lounge tickets selling well.
Date: 10 February 2o24, Wineries: 35. Food Stalls: 22
Attendees: 6,200. (21% inc vs 2023 event)
Attendee rating: 8.7/10 likely to recommend to a friend.
Total spend on site: $489,550. $22,489 raised for 15 community groups.
Wine Marlborough Celebrate Strategy
• Events are used to help Members shine, sell and create relationships
• We celebrate the activity of our Members and community that reflect our region’s unique reputation
• The Marlborough wine story is clear and understood by Members, industry, stakeholders, community and consumers
James Healy, Tessa Anderson and Dave Pearce with their Lifetime Achievement Awards presented October 2023. Photo Richard Briggs.
50 Years
In 50 short years, the Marlborough wine industry has exceeded the wildest dreams of some of its founding members. Nearly 300 people gathered to celebrate the milestone anniversary at the Marlborough Wine Show Celebration Evening - Honouring 50 years of Marlborough Wine, in November 2023. .
Emceed by Beth Forrest, the evening was a chance to reminisce on 50 years gone by and acknowledge how far the industry has come. Throughout the evening, Beth interviewed two panels of three Marlborough wine industry pioneers, including viticulturist Ivan Sutherland, who first planted grapes in the region in the late 1970s. “It’s remarkable what has happened in 50 years … you wouldn’t have imagined in your wildest dreams that there would be 30,000 hectares [of grapes] in this valley,” he said.
The five other panellists included Phil Rose of Rose Family Estate (Wairau River), Bill Spence of Matua Wines, Jamie Marfell of Pernod Ricard (Montana), Jane Hunter of Hunter’s Wines, and Dr John Forrest of Forrest Wines. A key theme among them all was that collaboration and knowledge-sharing had been integral to the success of the industry. “The camaraderie that we had in the industry in those early days is still here and I am pleased to see a number of young people here,” Ivan said. “We’re an industry that is very helpful to each other and we have an environment that we’ve just got to make sure that we keep hold of.”
Five decade timeline
Wine Marlborough created a Marlborough Wine timeline, showing the challenges, innovations, growth, and success stories of the past 50 years. The content was sourced by an archivist and provided by wineries. The timeline was published digitally on the Wine Marlborough website and each decade was coverd in Winepress magazine and shared to the community papers.
Marlborough Wine Film
Alongside the new Marlborough Wine brand identity our 50 years was given voice with a shared tookit and a range of activations were made available to members. Filming took place in November 2023 for a video that celebrates 50 years of the Marlborough wine industry. Targeting the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand, ads were seen 333,429 times. This acitivty featured 9 foundational wineries and was a user paid activity.
50 Years; 50 Stories
“Who would have thought at the beginning of 1973 that the planting of a few grape vines in Marlborough would turn the wine world upside down?” That’s the question posed by Tessa Anderson’s book, 50 Years; 50 Stories – Marlborough, the region that turned the wine world upside down, as it celebrates the people, places and innovations behind an extraordinary success story.
WinePRO
WINEPRO WAS a big event on many accounts – New Zealand’s biggest wine trade show, with big ideas discussed at the speaker conference and big connections made throughout the industry and beyond. It was also the biggest collaboration between Marlborough District Council and Wine Marlborough, ignited by the Council’s 2022 Economic Wellbeing Strategy that took a hard look at the strengths of the region and what is needed to make it grow. “One of the goals of the strategy is for Marlborough to be a leading agritech region,” says Mark Unwin, economic development programmes manager at MDC. “But you can’t be what you can’t see – we need to show what is being done in Marlborough and celebrate that.” The three days of WinePRO at the end of June became such a showcase, attracting more than 100 wine industry suppliers and innovators to the trade show and about 290 people to the conference programme.
Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor. and National MP Todd McClay officially opened the inaugural Aotearoa WinePro conference in Blenheim on Tuesday 25 June, introducing a trade expo showcasing innovations, automations and leading suppliers of wine production equipment, as well as a programme of conference speakers and workshops, based on the pillars of Elevate, Innovate, and Celebrate. The three-day WinePro trade event was an opportunity to celebrate New Zealand’s international reputation as a wine producer and cement Marlborough’s place as a hub of technology and innovation, said Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor.
Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens says WinePro, which included a major trade expo, packed conference programme, Women in Business breakfast, and Dragon’s Den startup event, was timely for New Zealand’s wine industry. “There are so many exciting research and agritech developments in the field, in the lab and on the horizon right now, and they are changing the face of our industry, able to improve our emissions, waste, wine quality, and health and safety. Having so many of these innovators in one place is exciting, especially seeing them collaborate, merging the talents of individual businesses to create focused solutions to industry challenges.”
The inaugural WinePRO conference was developed with support from an expert steering group comprised of Tracy Atkin, Heath Stafford and Ben McLauchlan that helped develop content for education sessions run across the three days and included everything from electrifying viticulture operations and managing labour challenges to utilising artificial intelligence and improving circularity.
Exhibition Attendees: Over 1,450 Conference Attenees: Over 290 Exhibitors: 100
Eighty-six gold medals were awarded this year, up from 46 last year. Chief Judge Stu Marfell says the quality of entries this year was spectacular, with both Sauvignon Blanc and Sparkling varieties making a particularly strong impression. “We saw a big jump in the number of gold medals awarded to Sauvignon Blanc this year, particularly for the current vintage class, which received double the number of gold medals than the same category in 2023.
Deputy Chair and Guest Judge Sam Kim says the Current Vintage Sauvignon Blanc class was a standout of his entire career. “The standout variety was Sauvignon Blanc, hands-down. In my over thirty years of tasting Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, I believe the 2024 vintage is the best I've ever tried. Many wines displayed stunning fruit purity and intensity, along with a textured mouthfeel and perfectly balanced acidity. They are truly mouth-watering and deliciously satisfying,” he says..
GOLD MEDAL WINES 2024
Ara Single Estate Pinot Gris 2024
Black Cottage Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Boatshed Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Brancott Estate Letter Series O Chardonnay 2023
Brancott Estate Letter Series T Pinot Noir 2023
Catalina Sounds 'Sound of White' Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Catalina Sounds 'Sound of White', Chardonnay 2022
Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir 2023
Clark Estate Block 8 Single Vineyard Riesling 2023
Daniel Le Brun Rosé NV
Dashwood Pinot Gris 2024
Drylands Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Emma Marris Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Forrest Albariño 2024
Giesen Clayvin Pinot Noir 2021
Giesen Clayvin Single Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2018
Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Holdaway Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2024
Holdaway Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Hunter's Marlborough Offshoot Pinot Noir 2021 2021
Hunter's Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023
Isabel Estate Chardonnay 2021
Isabel Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Isabel Estate Methode Traditionelle NV
Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2023
Kim Crawford Small Parcels Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Kimura Cellars Pinot Noir 2023
Kōparepare Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2024
Lawson's Dry Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2022
Lawson's Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Leefield Station Pinot Gris 2024
Leefield Station Ridgeline Reisling 2024
Leftfield Marlborough Pinot Gris 2024
Lindis McMurray Albariño 2024 (Student Entry)
Marisco The Craft Series Pioneer Chardonnay 2022
Mount Riley 17 Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Mount Riley Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2024
Nautilus Albariño 2024
Nautilus Clay Hills Pinot Noir 2021
Nautilus Cuvée NV
Nautilus Pinot Gris 2024
Nautilus Vintage Rosé 2021
Rapaura Springs Reserve Pinot Gris 2024
Rapaura Springs ROHE Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Rapaura Springs ROHE Southern Valleys Pinot Noir 2023
Sacred Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Saint Clair Barrell Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2023
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir 2023
Saint Clair Origin Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay 2022
Saint Clair The Falcon Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Saint Clair The Raptor Chardonnay 2022
Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Selaks Taste Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Spy Valley E Block Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Spy Valley Satellite Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Starborough Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Stoneleigh Latitude Pinot Gris 2024
Stoneleigh Latitude Pinot Noir 2021
Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Chardonnay 2023
Sugar Loaf Riesling 2024
te Pā Pinot Noir 2023
te Pā Reserve Collection "Seaside" Sauvignon Blanc 2023
The Renegade 2023
TOHU Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Riesling 2021
Triplebank Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Tūpari Late Harvest Riesling 2024
Vavasour Papa Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Vavasour Pinot Noir 2023
Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Vilaura 2020 Marlborough Extra Brut Blanc de Blanc 2020
W5 Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Wairau River Reserve Gewürtztraminer 2024
Wairau River Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Wairau River Summer Riesling 2024
Wither Hills Cellar Collection Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2021
Wither Hills Cellar Collection Riesling 2024
Wither Hills Cellar Collection Rosé 2024
Yealands Estate Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Zephyr Pinot Noir 2023
Vintage 2024
Marlborough’s 2024 vintage of low yields, warm days, ultra dry conditions, and an autumnal shift to cold nights in March provided perfect conditions for a small but stella harvest. Loose grape bunches from a poor flowering reduced disease risk, while the region’s drought conditions in the lead up to harvest prevented the growth of botrytis spores, as did cold March nights.
According to VineFacts weather data, the three-month rainfall total was well below half of average (42%), while evapotranspiration was well above average at 111%. Little “top ups” of rain in the catchment at fortuitous times meant many of the region’s grape growers escaped water restriction and by the time the Wairau River was fully restricted in late March, harvest was well underway. The quality of fruit this season has given winemakers opportunity to make excellent wine
TOTAL VOLUME OF GRAPES HARVESTED
MARLBOROUGH TONNES BY VARIETY
395,000 TONNES
Estimated production figures based on the 2024 Vintage Survey conducted by New Zealand Winegrowers
97% of Marlborough’s producing vineyard area is certified by Sustainable Winegrowing NZ™.
MARLBOROUGH 2023 VS 2024 TONNES
% CHANGE 2024 VS 2023
Source: New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Report 2023
New Zealand Winegrowers Vineyard Register 2023
SAUVIGNON BLANC
NOIR PINOT GRIS CHARDONNAY RIESLING
Source:
Roll of Honours
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Gerry Greg 2007
Ross Lawson (posthumously) 2009
Phil Rose 2011
Ivan Sutherland 2014
Jane Hunter 2016
Dr Rengasamy Balasubramaniam (Bala) 2018
Dr John Forrest 2019
Neal and Judy Ibbotson 2020
Dominic Pecchenino 2021
Mark Allen 2022
Allan Scott 2022
James Healy 2023
Dave Pearce 2023
Tessa Anderson 2023
Murray Gibbons 2023
Ben and Frances Wickham 2024
Daniel and Adele Le Brun 2024
Rob Agnew 2024
Marlborough Young Viticulturists
Marcus Wickham 2006
Nigel Sowman 2007
Simon Bishell 2008
Stuart Dudley 2009
Stuart Dudley 2010
James Bowskill 2011
Mathew Duggan 2012
Mathew Duggan 2013
Brenton O'Riley 2014
Brenton O'Riley 2015
Brenton O'Riley 2016
Anthony Walsh 2017
Ben Richards 2018
Ben Richards 2019
Rhys Hall 2020
Jess Wilson 2021
Tahyryn Mason 2022
Zac Howell 2023
Anna Kelland 2024
Marlborough Young Winemakers
Abigail Maxwell 2015
Jordan Hogg 2016
Kelsey Daniels 2017
Greg Lane 2018
Emily Gaspard-Clark 2019
Peter Russell 2020
Peter Russell 2021
Alun Kilby 2022
Callum Haynes 2023
Nick Lamain 2024
From Left: Frances & Ben Wickham and Daniel & Adele Le Brun
Photo: Richard Briggs
Our vision is that Marlborough will be the world’s greatest wine region
Our strategy is to Educate | Grow | Protect | Celebrate
General Manager: Marcus Pickens marcus@winemarlborough.nz
Advocacy Manager: Ruth Berry advocacy@winemarlborough.nz
Marketing and Communications: Sarah Linklater sarah@winemarlborough.nz
Events Manager: Loren Coffey loren@winemarlborough.nz
Business Support Elena Paynter elena@winemarlborough.nz
Winepress Editor: Bev Doole editor@winemarlborough.nz
Winepress Advertising: Joanna May advertising@winemarlborough.nz
Grape Grower Directors:
Bryn Cotching breezemere@hotmail.com
Andrew Nation nationa@gmail.com
Tracy Johnston (Deputy Chair) tracy@dayvinleigh.co.nz
Michiel Eradus michiel@eraduswines.co.nz
Nigel Sowman nigel@dogpoint.co.nz
Wine Company Directors:
Beth Forrest (Chair) beth@forrest.co.nz
Damien Yvon damien@closhenri.com
Drew Ellis drew@mggcoop.co.nz
James Macdonald james@hunters.co.nz
Pierre Vienings
Pierre.Vienings@boosterwinegroup.nz
Retiring Directors:
Jamie Marfell
From Left: Lynne & Rob Agnew with Marcus Pickens. Photo: Richard Briggs
The Marlborough Winegrowers Association (MWG) was established over 40 years ago by elected members of the Wine Marlborough Ltd is 100% owned by MWG and is governed by the MWG board of directors.
