Winepress - December 2012

WINEPRESS Issue No. 221 / December 2012

The Year That Was

VinLink Marlborough

Vineyard Registry

Chair’s Report

Photo: Jim Tannock

The Official Magazine of

www.wine-marlborough.co.nz

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In this issue...

Regulars

Features

3

10

On a Massive Scale

After a few years of no

4

Editorial

development, the building of

Tasman Crop Met Report

VinLink Marlborough is a real boost not only to the industry, but also the local economy. The sheer

6

Marketing Matters

7

Letters to the Editor

26 Wine Happenings

scale of VinLink will be matched by its ability to process quickly.

12

Marlborough Cooperative Kevin Kilpatrick explains where the idea for Marlborough Grape Producers Group, (a newly

From Home and 27 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

p16

formed co-operative) came from and its plans for the future.

14

Scholarship Winner

Kat Wiggins from the UK has been in Marlborough recently.

p22

She is the first recipient of a scholarship that aims to promote Marlborough wines in one of our most important markets.

Printed by: Blenheim Print Ltd. T: 03 578 1322

23

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.

Chemical Application Rates In an effort to standardise chemical application rates among grape growers SWNZ is surveying growers to see just what levels of chemicals are being applied to bunches.

p25

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

12/2012 WINEPRESS

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1

974 State Highway 63

RENWICK Reliable Production This very spacious and comfortable three bedroom home, nestled into the hillside enjoys extensive views over 8 ha of vineyard to the river and mountains beyond.

Vineyard production this year is estimated to be 35 tonne of Pinot Noir and 35 tonne of sauvignon Blanc. Irrigation water is from a bore on the property and there are two propellers to keep the frost away.

An additional nearby 37 hectares are also available. Call today for more information.

For Sale $1,500,000 (plus GST if any) www.bayleys.co.nz/1122369

Tim Crawford

M 021 704 833 B 03 578 7700 VINING REALTY GROUP LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

SO

LD

RAPAURA

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Andy Poswillo

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Tim Crawford

M 021 704 833 B 03 578 7700 VINING REALTY GROUP LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

2

Southern Valleys for Sale or Lease We have up to 40ha of predominantly Sauvignon Blanc plus some Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay available within the Southern Valleys. Part is contracted, part is without a grape supply agreement and part could be available for lease. For more information about this and other vineyard opportunities, contact Tim Crawford.

For Sale or Lease

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12/2012 WINEPRESS

www.bayleys.co.nz

Tim Crawford

M 021 704 833 B 03 578 7700 VINING REALTY GROUP LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

RAPAURA

LD

Southern Valleys

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MARLBOROUGH

Hillocks Road

Andy Poswillo

M 027 420 4202 B 03 578 7700

Tim Crawford

M 021 704 833 B 03 578 7700 VINING REALTY GROUP LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Produced by:

From the Editor

Wine Marlborough Free to all levy paying members Associate Members: $77 +GST Editor: Tessa Nicholson 16 Bank Street Blenheim T: 021 709 571 E: tessa.nicholson@me.com If you wish to make contact with any member of the Wine Marlborough Board, the following are their email addresses.

Dominic Pecchenino: nzyanks@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 Guy Lissaman: glissaman@xtra.co.nz

When Stuart Smith was asked for one piece of salient advice, as 2012 comes to an end, his response was; we must control vintage 2013. While the market has grown and could now cope with a vintage of 320,000 tonnes, anything more and we could be in trouble again.

It’s a sentiment echoed within the PricewaterhouseCoopers New Zealand Wine Insights that came out towards the end of last month.

“Should favourable climatic conditions prevail, a large harvest, at least as large as 2011 and potentially significantly more, could be possible. A large swing past 2011 may not be beneficial to the industry and it’s in the industry’s interests to be vigilant to this outcome and take a measured approach to a large vintage in 2013.”

The issue was even raised in the recent Deloitte New Zealand Wine Industry Benchmarking survey. The report stated that wineries were becoming a “little nervous” about whether they would have enough fruit to meet future demand.

“It is hoped that if wineries and grape growers are considering planting additional vines in a hope to mitigate this issue, that any such investment is carefully assessed to ensure it is strongly market led and there is no repeat of the supply/demand imbalance seen in recent years.”

Everyone seems to be talking from the same page, given the potential for vintage 2013 is still not certain at this stage. Earlier this year Dr Mike Trought gave some assessments on how the vintage could look, based on weather patterns at flowering. (All his figures were based on four-cane pruned Sauvignon Blanc, on 3 metre rows, that had undergone no management changes in recent years.) Those assessments are worth repeating now.

1. If the temperatures at flowering this coming season are average – yields will be 15% below LTA 2. If temperatures at flowering are the same as last year – yields could be up to 45% below LTA 3. If temperatures at flowering are significantly above average – yields could be 20% above LTA It’s the last one that is worth noting. While no one wants growers to suffer a second lower than average yield, there is a long-term danger if the yields go way above average. As mentioned above, it is in everyone’s interests to be vigilant.

On that note, I do hope for everyone’s sake that flowering is much better in 2012, than it was in 2011. I hope the festive season treats you well, and that you get to have a break in near perfect conditions.

CORRECTION: In last month’s issue of Winepress, I incorrectly listed the top wine in Bob Campbell’s tasting, of 241 Pinot Noir wines. It should have been listed as Villa Maria’s Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2010. Villa Maria also had three other Pinot Noirs in the top 10. I apologise to Villa Maria and especially the winemakers for the mistake.

Laurin Gane: laurin.gane@xtra.co.nz Simon Clark: simon@clarkestate.com

TESSA NICHOLSON tessa.nicholson@me.com

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

12/2012 WINEPRESS

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Met Report

Growing Degree Days The graph of growing degree-days (Figure 1) is included in Met Report on a regular basis as it is the best way that I know of to illustrate how a season is progressing with

Table 1: Blenheim Weather Data – November 2012 November 2012

November 2012 November compared to LTA LTA

Period of LTA

November 2011

regard to heat accumulation, in contrast to the long-term average and to previous seasons. With the cool weather in the

GDD’s for: Month - Max/Min1 Month – Mean2

117.2 123.9

84% 87%

140.2 143.2

(1996-2011) (1996-2011)

145.8 144.3

Growing Degree Days Total Jul – Nov 12 – Max/Min Jul - Nov 12 – Mean

306.5 360.7

95% 96%

324.3 377.3

(1996-2011) (1996-2011)

285.2 347.8

Mean Maximum (°C) Mean Minimum (°C) Mean Temp (°C)

19.8 7.8 13.8

Equal -1.6°C -0.8°C

19.8 9.4 14.6

(1986-2011) (1986-2011) (1986-2011)

19.9 9.7 14.8

in the fourth week of November. At the

first three weeks of November 2012, the current season (bold black line) dropped from average to well below average. Some recovery of growing degree-days occurred beginning of December 2012 the GDD line is above where it was at the same point

Grass Frosts (<= -1.0°C)

2

More

0.35

(1986-2011)

1

in 2000, 2009 and 2011, but well below

Air Frosts

0

Equal

0.0

(1986-2011)

0

266.9

112%

2001, 2005 and 2010.

99%

(1930-2011) 1985 1997 (1930-2011)

237.5

2186.9

238 158.9 322.5 2209

2191

average temperatures in Marlborough

7.0

15%

(1930-2011) 1930 1999 (1930-2011)

50.4

for the three months November 2012 to

594.6

(0.0°C)

Sunshine hours Sunshine hours – lowest Sunshine hours – highest Sunshine hours total – 2012

In late October 2012 NIWA predicted that there was only a 20% chance of above

Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (mm) – lowest Rainfall (mm) – highest Rainfall total (mm) – 2012

554.6

93%

48 4.6 154.6 596

Evapotranspiration – mm

116.6

96%

122.2

(1996-2011)

132

Avg. Daily Windrun (km)

230.1

74%

312.0

(1996-2011)

288.9

Mean soil temp – 10cm

15.3

+0.4°C

14.9

(1986-2011)

15.2

Mean soil temp – 30cm

17.4

+0.9°C

16.5

(1986-2011)

16.2

January 2013. The warmer than average

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

November 2012 was cool, sunny, very dry and calm.

weather at the end of November and beginning of December 2012 is going against that prediction. Flowering of Sauvignon blanc is just beginning in Rapaura on 3 December 2012. Should the warm temperatures continue into December, then flowering should be much quicker and earlier than was the case with the cool weather in December 2011.

However, the GDD graph indicates how

Air Temperature

the mean for the month up to 13.8°C,

quickly the temperatures can change

The first three weeks of November 2012

November 2012 was still the coolest since

from cold to warm or vice versa during

were much cooler than average and it

2000. The data in Table 2 indicate that it

December. This can have a major bearing

appeared as if we were shaping up for

was the mean minimum temperature that

on the resultant fruit set of grapes and

another late flowering of grapes as in

was well below average, for November.

subsequent yield at harvest. Cool climate

2011. However, the fourth week was in

The mean maximum was equal to the long

viticulture at its unpredictable best.

complete contrast, with some very warm

term average.

days.

The highest daily maximum temperature

Prior to the very warm fourth week of

of 28.5°C was recorded on Sunday

November 2012, the mean for the first

25 November 2012. This has already

three weeks was sitting at 12.7°C, similar

exceeded last summer’s maximum

to the mean for November 2000, of

temperature of 27.8°C, recorded on 27

12.6°C. Although the fourth week dragged

December 2011.

4

Mean (°C)

Maximum (LTA=19.8)

Mean (°C)

Minimum (LTA=9.4)

Mean (°C)

(LTA=14.6)

th

1 – 7

17.9

-1.9°C

6.1

-3.3°C

12.0

-2.6°C

8th – 14th

18.7

-1.1°C

6.1

-3.3°C

12.4

-2.2°C

15t h – 21st

19.2

-0.6°C

8.1

-1.3°C

13.7

-0.9°C

22nd – 28th

23.6

+3.8°C

10.9

+1.5°C

17.2

+2.6°C

30th – 31st

19.0

-0.8°C

7.0

-2.4°C

13.0

-1.6°C

Month Mean

19.8

equal

7.8

-1.6°C

13.8

-0.8°C

1st to 21st

18.6

-1.2°C

6.8

-2.6°C

12.7

-1.9°C

12/2012 WINEPRESS

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

in November 2012 or 112% of average.

At the end of November, Blenheim has no hope of being the sunniest town in New Zealand in 2012. Blenheim is currently hours less sunshine than Whakatane.

November

|

Blenheim recorded 266.9 hours sunshine

sitting in a distant 6th place, with 195

Table 2: Summary of temperatures for November 2012

st

Sunshine

Table 3: Total sunshine hours to the end of November 2012 and hours ahead of Blenheim Whakatane 2384.4 +195.0 Nelson 2311.5 +122.1 Tekapo 2280.3 +90.9 Appleby 2261.4 +72.0 New Plymouth 2206.1 +16.7 Blenheim 2189.4

Rainfall

topsoil (5 to 35 cm depth) at the

two weeks of November, with a marked

November 2012 rainfall total of 7.0 mm is

Grovetown Park weather station dropped

change to Marlborough’s brown summer

the third lowest total recorded for Blenheim

from 25.6% on 1 November to 16.6%

look becoming apparent.

for the 83 years 1930-2012. The lowest

on 30 November; a loss of 9%. At the

November total of 4.6 mm was recorded

beginning of December 2012 the soil

Wind Run

in November 1950 and the second lowest

moisture in the topsoil at Grovetown Park

November is normally the windiest month

of 5.3 mm was recorded in November

is getting close to its minimum value. In

in Blenheim. However, the average

1989. The rainfall total for the 11 months

terms of total water loss, a 9% drop in

daily wind-run of 230.1 km recorded in

January to November 2012 is 554.6

soil moisture for the 30 cm of topsoil (5-

November 2012 was significantly lower

mm or 92% of the long term average of

35 cm) equates to 27 litres of water lost

than the average of 312 km and well

600mm for that period. The low rainfall

per square metre of ground, or 270,000

below any of the 16 years 1996-2011.

in November has offset the high August

litres per ha = 270 m3 water/ha. This

October 2012 recorded above average

rainfall total of 123.2 mm.

is only considering the water lost from

wind-run, but November has followed the

the topsoil. Total water lost from the soil

trend of lower than average wind-run that

Soil moisture

profile would be much greater. The lack

has occurred over the past two years.

With only 7.0 mm rain recorded in

of November rain has had an effect on

November 2012 the moisture in the

unirrigated lawn and pasture in the final

Seasonal water balance It has been some time since the seasonal

Figure 1: Growing degree days for Blenheim: days ahead (+) or behind (-) average; calculated from average hourly temperature data and long term average 1996-2011. The graph shows the cumulative GDD difference between the season and the long term average total.

water balance figure has been included in Met Report (Figure 2). It is a way of looking at the difference between rainfall and potential evapotranspiration on a seasonal basis. On average, Marlborough only experiences a water surplus for four months from midJune to mid-October. During the other eight months Marlborough is normally experiencing a water deficit.

High rainfall in August 2012 (123.2 mm) pushed the seasonal water balance well above average. Very low rainfall in November 2012 (7.0 mm) has seen the water balance drop very rapidly.

At 30 November the deficit is -211 mm (red line), compared to the long-term average at 30 November of 113 mm. At 30 November 2011 the deficit was much closer to average at 128 mm. December

Figure 2: Seasonal water balance for Blenheim: difference between 3-month

2012 needs well above average rainfall to

totals of rainfall and potential evapotranspiration

recover any of the water deficit.

Rob Agnew Plant and Food Research

The Met Report was brought to you by

NZ Owned & Operated

0800 855 255 | tasmancrop.co.nz

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

12/2012 WINEPRESS

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Marketing Matters MARCUS PICKENS

MWGA has recently undergone a review process to develop a plan to focus on the outputs of the organisation and ensure we deliver value to our members.

In the November issue of Winepress, David Taylor of Positive Potential spoke of the importance of doing a strategic review and it was David that MWGA employed in August and September to seek feedback on the organisation.

This was done in two methods; firstly in seeking the opinion of staff, and representatives from the board in one on one sessions. After this feedback was given, the second step was to seek the views of a subset of members who we represent.

As the AGM chairman’s report identified, these interviews uncovered valuable insights about what we do well, what we do not so well, what we spend too much time doing and what new opportunities we could consider.

One of the fundamental areas to continue to focus on that came clearly from the review process was the Communication area.

David comments that most organisations believe that their communication to stakeholders is good or not too bad, however stakeholders are more likely to say it is not very good or just ok.

This resonated with your board and the Wine Marlborough staff and has led us to refocus on communication and diversify our methods of reaching you and expanding on the work we

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undertake, which you may see is quite diverse.

Marketing is always an area of focus and importance. The review process raised a number of questions for the organisation to address. Where should our focus be? Do we align our efforts with NZW’s programme and how do we influence the programme? Should we have our own inbound programme tying into major activities?

All of these are important to do well and a ranking and business plan to define what we need to do in this area is the next key step.

Advocacy is an underappreciated area of activity and more focus has steadily been applied to this. The Seasonal Labour office plays a vital role in assisting all members through governmental influence in policy areas around national and

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

regional labour decisions. A key focus for our office will be a looming labour shortage that could arrive at pruning time. Geographical Indications, Water, Cellar Doors, Right to Farm issues and Social responsibility areas have all been identified as important to implement, defend or continue meaningful discussions on with key influencers.

The most esoteric point in this area is to Find ‘Hero’s’ to champion regional issues.

That is where you, the passionate and capable member comes in and can help us. We want your involvement to assist our efforts and widen our reach too.

Finally, Governance. A core area of any not for profit organisation and one that is taken very seriously. The questions are: how do we do this better, how do we get new people involved, how can we do things better to improve organisational output and how do we gain more funding for the organisation?

There are a number of areas the above points will help to define the success of the organisation overall.

On behalf of the MWGA board, we welcome feedback and input into any of the above insights into our thinking and Key Strategic Areas.

Letters To The Editor I write in response to your correspondent

responsibilities rest in the event of

solicitor’ preparing the documents. The

Pete Reed who has expressed concern

a pipeline needing to be moved or

request made was that either Mr Reed’s,

about the charges and liabilities which

repaired.

or the scheme’s own solicitor, should

rest with commercial users of water

This is necessary because Council has

prepare the documents. The Council

where their pipelines run below public

legal responsibility for the public roads

does not regard that as independent

sealed roads. (Letters to the Eidtor

and it must reserve the right to require

or appropriate. Rather, as is normal

November 2012.)

removal of any pipeline occupying the

practice, the Council solicitor prepares

Mr Reed is part of the Fareham Lane

space in order to enable any future public

the Council’s legal documents. The legal

Water Group scheme, a private scheme.

works. Should this need ever arise, it

costs involved are a standard fee.

It is primarily a commercial scheme used

would be done only after consultation

In summary, the property owners for the

for irrigation.

with the property owners and best

scheme have free use of public land for

The pipeline servicing the properties

endeavours made to relocate the pipeline

pipelines that benefit their properties.

uses a public road in places as this was

elsewhere within the road.

Council has an obligation, however, to

the best option for the users.

The requirement for this documentation

ensure that legal documentation is in

No rental is charged for this use of public

is based on a policy first adopted by

place to protect the wider public interest.

land. However Council has a system in

Council in 1999 and confirmed by

Tony Quirk

place to address rights associated with

Council in 2005, 2007 and again in 2011.

District Secretary (MDC)

privately owned infrastructure occupying

Council has had correspondence with Mr

public road land.

Reed about the legal charges associated

This involves an encumbrance

with preparing the documents. Mr

on commercial users within this

Reed indicates that Council would not

scheme which makes it clear where

agree to what he calls an ‘independent

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12/2012 WINEPRESS

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Chairman’s Report It was a healthy turnout to the Marlborough Winegrower’s AGM in November. The following is a summary of Chair of the Board, Dominic Pecchenino’s end of year report.

It should be clear from this report that we are well connected to the issues and direction of this wine region. We all know that the appropriate stewardship of New Zealand’s most important vineyard area is vital to New Zealand’s on-going success as a first tier wine producer. This responsibility underpins how we act and represent you and has even more focus as the organisation progresses.

There have been many important developments in a rapidly changing landscape since the last AGM. Major developments Coinciding with the conclusion of the New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) strategic review, Marlborough Winegrowers has conducted its own review that has looked both internally and externally to help set the strategic direction for this organisation. The process has been a rewarding one and has set down a number of challenges.

To help us find where we need to focus we undertook a two-step process with step one being to seek feedback from all the Wine Marlborough (WML) team and representatives from our board. After presenting these honest but encouraging findings, the second step was to seek the views of a subset of those we represent.

Five winery representatives and five grape growers were interviewed. These interviews uncovered valuable insights about what we do well, what we do not so well, what we spend too much time doing

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and what new opportunities we could consider.

At the end of this review cycle it was clear that out outputs should be directed into four broad categories.

1. Governance, People and Finance 2. Communication 3. Marketing 4. Advocacy To make this report more easily followed, I will report our progress in these four broad groupings.

Governance, People and Finance What is our plan for the year ahead in the governance/people and finance area? In brief, we will; • Refresh the constitution as required.

• Develop a board charter.

• Focus on succession planning.

• Refine our working committees and co-opt members with specific skills onto committees as required.

• Invest in growing our team’s strengths.

• Work on attracting more funding through levies and other means.

• Try to find hero’s within our industry to champion causes of common interest.

Communication • We want to make communication and feedback easier and will build in ways to give us feedback through Winepress and our e-newsletters.

• We are merging our database

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

with NZW’s CRM system to allow more comprehensive reach and information flow to our members.

• We also want our members to know more about and who our board members are. This will be done through our website and Winepress.

• We want to reach out and talk to you and receive your feedback and intend to survey you and hold at least two annual open ‘shed’ meetings.

• We want to identify and reach out to younger members more.

• We will resource the communication area within the organisation and develop good communications plans and messaging guidelines.

What do we want from you, our members? You can easily support this board by giving them feedback on the areas you perceive need attention. You can also encourage those that criticise but don’t engage to discover ways they can contribute and be involved in their industry body. We are aware that many of our members want even more representation from us but are often unwilling to be involved or to help uncover a solution. This is always a most disappointing and frustrating response.

Marketing What are we going focus on in marketing?

• Gauging interest in the development

of a marketing fund with plans developed around this.

• Develop more collateral for members, especially electronic tools.

• Build more tools for members such as the cellar door app for use by tourists.

• Support all our activities with up to date business plans.

While we receive acknowledgement for what we currently deliver, we are tuned in to the calling for more marketing activity. Wine Visitors Centres, offshore tasting activity, directly bringing our own VIP’s to the region, video promotions, international conferences and more collateral are valid pursuits and are only constrained by funding.

Advocacy Advocacy has been an area that has received more attention this past year.

With the difficult time in the industry it is now more important than ever that we influence the people and organisations that potentially have influence over our industry.

MWGA has increased the frequency of meetings with your rural councillors,

Mayor, Council CEO and the local MP to discuss issues of significance to the industry. These now occur quarterly.

Regular topics have included wastewater discharge, water allocations and measurement, industry updates, rates and other topics. These meetings have definitely increased direct dialogue and understanding and continue to improve relationships at all levels.

The Seasonal Labour office is not to be underestimated and is one of our most important functions that gives value back to the industry. The office is deeply involved in influencing policy around labour needs especially with the RSE scheme. This office also has regular interaction with Department of Immigration, Department of Labour, IRD, Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Business, Employment and Industry as well as the Ministry of Social Development. The Seasonal Labour office has close alignment with NZW also in labour policy areas and feeds regular intelligence to the NZW Trade and Advocacy and Sustainability offices.

What is the focus in Advocacy?

• Seasonal labour, especially with a

predicted labour shortage emerging in the pruning period for 2013.

• Right to farm issues.

• Water issues. We have strong representation locally on the Water Users Forum and continue to represent you here.

• Regional representation in areas such as Grow Marlborough and Destination Marlborough.

• Alcohol and social responsibility, through continued representation on the Marlborough Alcohol Advisory Committee and in other areas.

• Geographic Indications and the continued progress of legislation being developed.

I hope this report updates you and gives you continued confidence in the performance and direction of Marlborough Winegrowers Association Incorporated.

Winery Exchange - 2013 Harvest Name, Email and Contact Number

Company Name

Grapes wanted for Vintage 2013 & tonnes sought

Indicate if required from Cloudy or finished wine for sale any sub region

David Clouston Phone: 021527550 Email: dave@tworivers.co.nz

Two Rivers Wines

Sauvignon Blanc (100 tonnes)

Any

Rachael Carter Phone: 021667712 Email: rach@sohowineco.com

Soho Wine Co

Sauvignon Blanc (200 tonnes)

Any

Rachael Carter Phone: 021667712 Email: rach@sohowineco.com

Soho Wine Co

Pinot Gris (25 tonnes)

Any

Rachael Carter Phone: 021667712 Email: rach@sohowineco.com

Soho Wine Co

Pinot Noir (30 tonnes)

Any

Name: James Bowskill Phone: 021 644 090 Email: james.bowskill@framingham.co.nz

Framingham wines

Sauvignon blanc (100 tonnes) Pinot Noir (40t)

Any sub region

Name: Craig Forsyth Email: Forsyth@winkerr.co.nz

Winstanley Kerridge Ltd as agent for client

Awatere

200,000 l's +/- S'Bl (2013 and beyond).

Expressions of interest and proposed terms sought for 2 - 3 yr supply.

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

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VinLink – A Major Boost for Marlborough TESSA NICHOLSON

The sheer scale of VinLink Marlborough’s new winery is testament to the future of the local wine industry.

One of the largest contract facilities

geared towards looking after clients.

and have engineered the space to cater

built anywhere in New Zealand, VinLink

“We won’t compete with our customers

for another 2 as intake grows. Receival

will provide not only the ability to

by taking a position in branded or

has to be our strength. Everything is

process large quantities of fruit, but

bulk wine sales. We will not turn the

about getting the client’s fruit in,”

also at speeds previously considered

customer’s dollar against them by

For Vintage 2013 Dave expects to be

unachievable.

competing in their hard fought market

able to process up to 1500 tonnes of fruit

Stage one for Vintage 2013 is 13,000 tons

space.”

a day.

and General Manager Dave Pearce says

However what VinLink is promising to do,

“And that’s at cruising speed and

when they are finished developing the

is provide large format processing, within

includes clean down time.”

site they will be able to process 30,000

a short period of time. The 30,000 tonnes

Each of the Taylor Receival Bins has a

plus tonnes of fruit a year.

of fruit it will eventually be able to handle

100 tonne Della Toffola crusher next to

“One of the very important points is,

each vintage, equates to 22 million litres

it, which then feeds Della Toffola central

the company is not about speculating

of wine. A big task for any winery. Dave

membrane presses. The speed of the

on processing space. We provide

says in VinLink’s case, the scale of fruit

press is impressive in its own right.

infrastructure and risk management

coming in, means they have to provide

“Their normal cycle is 90 minutes,

to people, at scales of economy they

a processing efficiency not seen in

compared with a typical three hours in

wouldn’t be able to get themselves.”

Marlborough before. Which is where the

other membrane presses. They are also

VinLink will also not be creating its own

be-spoke receival area comes into play.

very efficient at getting free run juice at

wine. Dave says the entire facility is

We are beginning with 3 receival lanes

no pressure what-so-ever and can press out to higher juice recoveries at lower pressure. The maximum pressure on them is 1.8 Bar, which is lower than the normal maximum on a membrane press which is 2 Bar.” Being able to process large amounts in short periods of time becomes vitally important if the weather at harvest turns to custard. Dave says even at cruising speed, the winery has been engineered to process all the clients fruit within a two-

Dave Pearce and the massive tipping tanks, designed to hold between 25 and 30 tonnes of fruit at a time.

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

week window.

“We all remember those bad years when

weather impacted on the vintage. All

to bring in fruit from another region that

from the client themselves. Three local

we want to be is something other than

we wouldn’t deal with it. We would,

winemakers have been employed, and

the weak link when that sort of situation

but we expect to be close to 100%

will become part of the fulltime workforce

occurs. We want to be the ones who can

Marlborough focused.”

of nine. Dave says up to 24 others could

say, ‘look if you can get it to us, we can

And just because the scale is vast, it

be employed during vintage.

do it.’”

doesn’t mean the facility is compromising

It’s a long time since such a winery

Based at Riverlands Estate, in the former

on quality.

development has taken place in

Taylor’s Engineering site, Stage One of

“I’ve always said a large winery should

Marlborough, or the rest of New Zealand

the facility will house offices, a massive

be able to make the best quality wines.

for that matter. Given most of the sub

laboratory and three indoor cellars

That’s not being disparaging about small

contractors are locals, Dave says the

containing 122 tanks. They range in size

wineries, because they can make small

development of New Zealand owned

from 30,000 litre through to 225,000 litre

batches of quality wine too. But the ability

VinLink Marlborough is a major boost

s. Dave says the company will process

to harvest everything when the client

to the local economy. And there is likely

both white and red wine, with all the fruit

wants to is a big advantage.”

to be more to come, given expansion is

expected to come out of Marlborough

Similar to other contract facilities,

already being discussed.

alone.

winemakers will be on hand to make the

“That’s not to say that if someone wanted

wines, but the specifications will come

Due to the success of our Wine Roadshow in early 2012, Hill Laboratories is pleased to be hosting another series of seminars throughout the country in February 2013 with a panel of internationally recognised guest speakers.

WE WILL BE VISITING YOUR REGION ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

Dr Glen Creasy specialising in grapevine physiology (Lincoln University);

BLENHEIM

Dr Steve Price specialising in grape and wine phenolics (ETS Labs, USA);

Tuesday February 5th

SEAL5132WPa

Dr Rich DeScenzo specialising in grape and wine microbiology (ETS Labs, USA).

Each workshop will run from 10am to 2pm with lunch provided. The guest speakers will present current information on their specialist topics as well as case studies from recent harvests.

Please direct any bookings or questions to: Kirsten.Creasy@Hill-Labs.co.nz or phone 03 377 7176.

CENTRAL OTAGO

Thursday February 7th

HAWKES BAY Friday February 8th

www.hill-laboratories.com

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Vineyard Registry The New Zealand Winegrowers 2012 Vineyard Register Report has been released providing the most up to date figures on productive vineyards.

The report includes data from 1,841 vineyards with a combined producing area of 34,269 hectares in 2012, which is anticipated to increase 683 ha in 2015.

The Vineyard Register is an initiative from the New Zealand Winegrowers Strategic Review, and replaces the previous Vineyard Survey which was conducted annually.

“The 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers Strategic Review emphasised the importance of accurate data as a prerequisite for understanding future production capability, infrastructure planning, biosecurity management, disaster response purposes, and pest and disease management. The Vineyard Register now provides this vital information and is a significant step forward for the industry,” says NZW’s Philip Manson.

Unsurprisingly, Marlborough is by far the dominant region, with 66% of the total national vineyard. Hawke’s Bay is the second largest with 14% and for the first time Central Otago moves into third place

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with 5% of the national total, just ahead of Gisborne, by 170 ha.

Marlborough Facts and Figures Currently, Marlborough has 22,587 ha of producing vineyard. That is way above the predicted figures that were in this year’s NZW’s annual report – which stated Marlborough had only 19,570ha.

The exponential growth experienced in the mid 2000’s is not expected to be repeated between now and 2015, with the predictions for productive land placed at 23,917 ha (1,330 ha more) – which will still equate to 66% of the New Zealand total.

Sauvignon Blanc is obviously our most planted variety – with 17,648ha. Pinot Noir is in second place with 2,367, Chardonnay in third – 1028 and Pinot Gris fourth with 950. The biggest growth in the next three years is expected to be in Sauvignon Blanc, which will increase by 327 ha. Each of the other top four varieties will also see minor increases, but nothing as significant as Sauvignon Blanc.

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

The other interesting aspect of the register is the size of vineyards within the region. For the first time NZW have been able to determine the make up of the industry in each of the regions. Below are the Marlborough figures.

0 – 5ha 5.01 –

10ha

10.01 – 20ha

20.01 – 50ha and 50ha over

190 291 210 181 100 Marlborough currently has 972 vineyards, with an average hectarage of 23.1. Interesting, given the size of the Marlborough industry, it is Waipara which has the largest average vineyard size – at 25.2, although that is based on a far smaller number of vineyards of only 41, compared with the 972 of Marlborough.

The latest register is the first up to date measurement of the New Zealand wine industry.

Going forward the Vineyard Register data will be continually maintained with the results released annually.

Marlborough Co-operative TESSA NICHOLSON

The formation of a grower co-operative, is not a knee jerk reaction to the recent hard times within the industry, says acting chair Kevin Kilpatrick.

Instead the recently incorporated company Marlborough Grape Producers Group Ltd (MGP Group), is about providing long-term surety for its shareholders, rather than the up and down scenario that seems to shadow all agricultural products.

MGP Group has evolved out of the Marlborough Grape Producers wine company, that developed wines for the export market. While that entity was owned by just a few growers, the new MGP Group will be owned by a vast number of shareholders, at least 50 as of going to print.

Kevin says the industry needs to have a long-term perspective, and not continue to operate on a year-by-year basis.

“In the current scenario there may be agreements that go beyond that yearby-year basis, but the pricing structure is established each year, usually prior to harvest. Our model is very different to that. It is long-term, covering five-year periods, and covers both volume and price. So growers can now plan ahead with a higher level of certainty.”

The co-operative will only be focusing on Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, no other variety at this stage and no fruit from outside of this region. And in contrast to other wine co-operatives in New Zealand, the group already has a market for its product. An American wine company which has distribution networks throughout the US, is contracted to take

up to 5.25 million litres of wine this year alone, with that to increase as the cooperative becomes more established.

Kevin says they have also been approached by companies in other parts of the world keen to buy from the MGP Group.

He says any fear that this is a bulk sale that could damage the reputation of the Marlborough brand, is unfounded.

“This is not bulk wine. What we are producing is the finished wine in every respect. It is blended here in Marlborough, drawing on the sub regional qualities, to create a wine that is popular in the US market. It won’t be bottled here, it will be bottled in the US, so I guess we are shipping a large volume of wine to the point of sale, but it is not bulk wine. It will not be leaving here as cloudy wine, to be blended with something else. It will be leaving as the finished product – a high quality product.”

All of the wine will be made at the new VinLink facility, overseen by a winemaker employed by the co-operative. The VinLink relationship is an important aspect of the business model Kevin says, given there is no shareholder capital tied up in infrastructure. In many ways the cooperative is a virtual wine company.

Many of the shareholders have been involved in the wine industry for a considerable time and the range of vineyards they represent varies from 1 hectare to well over 100.

“You don’t have to be huge to be part of it, you can be small, but we are not a bunch of small people. It’s not as if we are a group of disgruntled growers who are reacting to tough times.”

Alongside the winemaking expertise within MGP Group, there will also be viticultural advice available to growers.

Kevin says they are not about to allow growers to over crop to the detriment of the ensuing wine.

“One of the focuses of the co-operative is to allow growers to grow appropriately for the productivity of their land. There is no set formula for all growers. We will have quality expectations and we will expect the growers to match those, with the help of viticultural advisors.”

Kevin says MGP Group will continue to take on growers, to allow the start up target to be increased progressively in line with the growing US market and other international markets.

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One on One in Marlborough Studying for her Master of Wine, Kat Wiggins knows better than most, how being on the ground in a region, can make all the difference in understanding the wines.

Kat is the first UK recipient of the Wine

is vitally important. She said it works it

Marlborough, NZ-UK Link Foundation,

terms of selling wines, if the story behind

John Avery Scholarship – a title that is

them is known.

almost bigger than she is. As Marketing

“You can tell someone that the wine

Manager for Lay and Wheeler, she

tastes nice, but every wine we sell tastes

applied knowing it would give her the

nice. You need the bits on what goes on

chance to experience the wine industry

behind the wine. And for that, you can’t

here in Marlborough, in a way not many

beat meeting the people involved. So on

people ever get.

a professional level, this (scholarship) will

“There are a lot of scholarships out

be a bit of an eye opener for me.”

there, but they are mostly funded by one

Admitting that Marlborough Sauvignon

grower, they are limited or quite short,

Blanc is already well established in the

just a couple of days. But this gives me a

UK market, Kat said there are other

taste of the whole region. I love meeting

aspects of the region that now need a

people, and while tasting wine is great,

more intense focus.

meeting the people behind the wines is

“What’s really interesting is the maturing

the best way to understand the region

Pinot vineyards, where you can see the

and those wines.”

quality is coming up. And in a world

Her role as Marketing Manager was

where people are looking for value for

only announced a week before Kat left

money, which is many of my established

for Marlborough and she believed the

customers, they are starting to say they

experience here will play an important

would rather buy £15 New Zealand

part in her new position.

Pinot, than £15 Bourgogne Rouge.

“I am going to probably be more involved

That’s because they know that that

in what offers we (Lay and Wheeler)

to buy. We already know that people are

they are going to get something that is

need to be doing. One thing we have

looking for slightly less expensive wines

very drinkable, very attractive and very

coming up over the next year, is the

than the big classic regions are offering.

approachable. The same may not be

classic regions are going to be quite

And we know we have a customer base

able to be said about Bourgogne Rouge.”

difficult. We’ve got a run of very difficult

that is pretty well travelled and love

She also said New Zealand should not

vintages, following on from a run of very

their new world wines. It’s something we

be trying to compare itself with any other

good vintages. Which means most of

haven’t done a lot of, but when we have

wine producing region, especially any of

our traditional customers have already

dipped into the new world and done little

the classics.

bought those wines in quite large

parcels, they have sold very well.”

“It’s a UK wine trade thing, that when they

volumes. So there is a lot of pressure on

As with many in the wine industry, Kat

are trying to sell a New Zealand Pinot,

us to find vintages that people do want

reiterated that the story behind the wine

they say it competes with Burgundy or

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

whatever. Well let’s draw a line under

“That will be really interesting,” she

notion of terroir is interesting to me. It’s

that and let’s not pretend they are the

said prior to heading out. “The whole

something I wrote about a little bit in my

same. It’s not trying to be Burgundy

application. With regards to the future

and I think that’s what people need

of Marlborough wines in the fine wine

to concentrate on. Sell it on its own merits. Maybe the quality is in the same field, but the flavours are different. So sell it as a very good Pinot or Chardonnay that people want to drink. Don’t sell it as an alternative to a French style.”

In Marlborough for three weeks, there wasn’t much time for Kat to enjoy the sunshine. She spent considerable time meeting winemakers, talking with viticulturists and visiting the sub

“Sell it as a very good Pinot or Chardonnay that people want to drink. Don’t sell it as an alternative to a French style.”

market, I am keen to define in my mind some of the regions and their stylistic differences. It will be interesting to see what people are thinking about those different styles.”

In the February issue of Winepress, we will summarise Kat’s impression of Marlborough and her take home memories.

regions.

maRlBOROUGH BOROUGH NEGROWERS WiNEGROWERS can save a bundle WitH OffiCEmax ax As a Marlborough Winegrower, you can get up to 60%* off the retail price of hundreds of products from OfficeMax.

To take advantage of special Marlborough Winegrowers pricing, phone Paul Watts on 03 579 4526 or email paul.watts@officemax.co.nz *Average discount 30%

CliCk officemax.co.nz Call 03 579 4526 Email paul.watts@officemax.co.nz OfficeMax is a proud supporter of the Wine Marlborough John Avery UK Link Foundation Scholarship.

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

12/2012 WINEPRESS

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The Science of Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has

overview to these questions in a very

commissioned UK wine writer Jamie

user friendly way that has given the

Goode to publish The Science of

industry new tools for driving flavour”.

Sauvignon Blanc. The book is based on

The New Zealand wine industry relies

the results of a six year multidisciplinary

on research leading to technical

research initiative that explores the

innovation to enable winemakers

key aroma and flavour compounds in

and grape growers to stay ahead

Sauvignon Blanc wine and how they

in a competitive world. Research

relate to viticulture and winemaking.

on Sauvignon Blanc is vital if New

“In our research programme we wanted

Zealand is to maintain its current

to understand the unique characters of

leading position and reputation

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc” says

with this variety. Although most of the

Dr Simon Hooker, General Manager

lessons learned in the book are specific

Research at New Zealand Winegrowers.

to Sauvignon Blanc, the underpinning

“What are its sensory attributes? Can

information is relevant and transferrable

they be linked back to viticultural

to other grape varieties.

management? Are they generated in the

The Science of Sauvignon Blanc is an

vineyard, through winemaking processes

output of the New Zealand Winegrowers

or by the yeasts? This book presents an

levy-funded research programme. It has

been published as a resource for the industry and will be sent to all NZW members in December. Due to a limited print run, there are a small amount of books available for purchase.

Please contact marketing@nzwine.com for more information.

CERTIFIED VINES FOR 2013 Certified vines under NZW GGS 100% ELISA Tested for Leafroll Virus Strong healthy vines Expert viticultural advice

Kate Gibbs ( B.Hort Sc) 027 440 9814 • 0800 STANMORE • grapes@stanmorefarm.co.nz check out our availability on www.stanmorefarm.co.nz

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

The Year That Was And what a year it was. Lower than expected yields, markets opening up, supply/demand equation swinging the other way, vineyards selling and massive developments taking place throughout the industry. Here is a review of the Year That Was 2012.

FEBRUARY: • Plant and Food’s Met Report for December and January was sober reading.

The least sunny December on record and below average temperatures, which continued into January. The end result was poor flowering throughout the region.

• We reviewed the NZW Strategic Review and its impact on members.

• Sacred Hill discussed how they were using computer technology to help in blending wines.

• The importance of purchasing vines that fit the Grafted Grapevine Standards was highlighted.

• And we looked at the role of Designer QR Codes in the marketing of wine.

MARCH: • David Cox, (former NZW European Director) patted Marlborough on the back stating; “Marlborough is the envy of his overseas peers….healthy, good looking, sophisticated, immensely popular and always displaying good breeding.”

• The ability of mechanical thinning to help control botrytis was a feature this month.

• Hong Kong based Debra Meiberg MW gave some salient ideas on developing the Chinese market.

• Hill’s Laboratories open a specific wine lab in Christchurch providing for the first time rapid DNA testing.

• A Finnish Master of Wine believes Marlborough needs to market its sparkling wines more.

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APRIL: • Wither Hills, part of the national Organic Focus Vineyard Project releases its first results.

• Tony Laithwaite, one of the greats of the modern wine industry visits Marlborough and says the under supply of 2012 could be the region’s saving grace.

• Newly formed wine company Eureka produces a straw wine – maybe the only ones in New Zealand to do so.

• Respected Pernod Ricard viticulturist Peter McLeod leaves Marlborough, to take up a GJ Gardiner franchise in Christchurch.

• Markham’s Business Confidence Survey says weather, bulk wine, exchange rates and supply and demand vagaries are impacting on a fragile wine industry.

MAY: • The countdown begins for Pinot Noir 2013 – in which Marlborough will play a larger role.

• The issue of water allocation is raised – especially important for the future given Marlborough’s water is over allocated.

• Colin Ross from Seresin Estate looks at the three viticulture certifying bodies – Sustainable, BioGro and Demeter.

• Nine Marlborough wineries take part in an Auditing Wineries Waste programme, in an effort to cut down on materials going to landfills.

• Belinda Jackson launches her nationwide Cellar Door Initiative, aimed at increasing cellar door profitability.

JUNE: • The latest Nielsen research in the UK shows New Zealand’s wines still hold the highest average retail price, and our red wine’s average price is twice the average price paid for all other red wines.

• Following the low yields at vintage 2012 – advice on how to prepare for vintage 2013 is a feature this month.

• UK’s Kat Wiggins is announced as the first recipient of the Wine Marlborough, UK Link, John Avery Scholarship. (She arrived in Marlborough for her three week stay in the middle of November.)

• Bird Wines of Marlborough gains a place on the wine list of the world’s largest privately owned yacht – The World.

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JULY: • The results of vintage 2012 are released – and Marlborough produced 56,000 tonnes less this year than it did in 2011. That’s a 23% drop.

• Sauvignon Blanc is the major variety hit, although Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the region were also affected by the cool temperatures during flowering in 2011.

• Results of the Silver Secateurs are announced. While there is no longer any national competition, Wine Marlborough is keen to promote the event locally.

• The impact of tendrils and botrytis carry over is discussed at the NZW Grape Days. Research shows that maybe they don’t need to be removed.

• Marlborough wine company te Pa makes it to the final 10 in an international Dragon’s Den style wine competition in the UK. AUGUST: • Marlborough’s Stuart Smith announces he will not be seeking re-election for the role of Chairman of NZW Board.

• In the Rabobank Wine Quarterly Marc Soccio says the wild ride experienced by the industry will continue for some time, as short supplies this and next year will test the market.

• Bill Foley proposes to merge his company, Foley Family Wine, with the NZ Wine Company, which is in serious financial trouble.

• Treasury Wine’s Matt Duggan takes out the Marlborough title of Markhams Young Viticulturist of the Year. He will go up against four others for the national title, at the upcoming Bragato conference this month.

• The region prepares for Romeo Bragato 2012 – held here in Blenheim.

SEPTEMBER: • The MPI (formerly MAF) Viticulture Review shows growers in Marlborough are hoping for a better few years ahead, after some very tough times.

• The question of whether Chile as a wine producing nation is a threat to Marlborough, is raised at Romeo Bragato. The take home message is; we can’t afford to be complacent.

• Two Marlborough winemakers are among 10 from around the world, selected to take part in the inaugural Ningxia Wine Challenge. Patricia Miranda and Dave Tyney recently undertook a vintage in China.

• Research here in Marlborough shows that processing and harvesting methods impact on the style of Sauvignon Blanc produced.

• Pruning 2012 may be over, but there are concerns that labour issues are looming in the future.

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OCTOBER: • Following on from Romeo Bragato’s discussion on Chile, Australian Phil Reedman MW says Marlborough has to build its brand in a consistent and long-term manner.

• Edmund de Rothschild Group Chairman announces a partnership with Craggy Range to produce a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

• Brad Tiller from Isabel Estate explains how to make compost from grape marc.

• Canopy management not only opens up the vines, but also stimulates the plant’s defence systems, Brian Jordan from Lincoln University tells us.

• The recent MPI viticulture review showed local growers had held off using fertiliser in recent years. The impact that may have on vines is investigated.

NOVEMBER: • For the first time in four years vineyard sales are on the rise.

Between January and November more than 20 have sold and values are on the increase as well. It is wineries and established growers that are looking to source fruit for the future.

• Climate warming may be a fact of life for most, but it appears Marlborough is bucking the trend the region IS getting warmer, but it is also getting colder.

• Lincoln University and NMIT sign an agreement to continue the delivery of a bachelor degree in viticulture at the Marlborough NMIT campus.

• Marlborough Pinot Noir impresses both Bob Campbell MW and Tyson Stelzer.

• The new Wine Marlborough board is announced. Anna Flowerday and Richard Rose stand down and Simon Clark and Laurin Gane are the new members.

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Back to the Future?

CLAIRE WILSON

With just over 23,000 hectares planted with grapes and more being planned for the Marlborough region, a major concern is – LABOUR. Calculations show Marlborough requires 4800 people to complete the pruning in a best practice time frame. That is 1800 more than when the last vineyard survey was conducted back in 2007. An important thing to note with this number is that it does not allow for the turnover of staff during the season.

The pool of potential workers we draw on is also the target for other sectors.

Marlborough viticulture competes for labour in the winter against other potential employers that are able to offer indoor or higher paying work. Add to that the impact the Christchurch rebuild, along with retail and construction developments here in Marlborough, and the labour pool quickly begins to diminish. We need to act now to ensure the region’s pruning is completed within the timeframe necessary.

RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) contributes 1300 workers to Marlborough, but this number is being reviewed and we are pushing for it to increase.

However there is a need to attract more

employers to be part of this scheme. It is estimated that there are 1200 permanent workers and the balance is to be made up of unemployed New Zealanders or those that seek casual work along with backpackers from various countries.

A meeting was held recently with MP Colin King, Mayor Alistair Sowman, Chamber of Commerce and industry members to discuss the importance of pruning and the need to have a skilled labour force. We also discussed the options available to ensure there is the number of people in the region to carry out the work and the possible community impacts they could have.

Backpacker numbers during winter 2012 were down on previous years, and while they do contribute to our winter requirements, they are very transient and show little commitment to staying in the job. Another challenge is the way they are treated by some employers; there are still a number of complaints in regards to minimum employment requirements.

Unfortunately many backpackers move

on without laying a complaint with the authorities and because they tend to tell others on their travels of their bad experience while working in the vineyards in Marlborough, it impacts on the number of other potential workers coming here for work.

The Wine Marlborough Labour Office has worked hard over the past years to increase the compliance understanding of a number of Contractors that operate in the region, however as there is no compulsory registration of Contractors it is difficult to get the message out to all.

This barrier is causing damage to the regions reputation.

As a Grower/Winery what can you do?

• Be aware • Get active – talk to your labour contractor early, start planning • Engage with compliant labour contractors • Ensure your contractor contacts the Wine Marlborough Labour Office so they are aware of the options open to them or yourselves.

Wine Marlborough through their Seasonal Labour Coordination Services office offers a valuable service to the wine industry.

The office can help you with any of the following; • Sourcing a viticultural contractor or vineyard workers • Obtaining IRD numbers for your viticultural or vintage staff • Representing the industry on regional and nationally significant viticultural labour issues To discuss, please make contact with Claire Wilson – Regional Manager, Seasonal Labour Coordination Services Phone: 03 577 8440 Email: Claire@marlboroughjobs.co.nz

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A Groovy Scholarship TESSA NICHOLSON

A special scholarship has allowed a French winemaker based at Indevin, to make his very first Gruner Veltliner.

Emilien Remond is Indevin’s

press” prior to fermentation.

Red Cellar Master, and the

Now a few months down the

winner of this year’s company

track the wine is about to

scholarship. He was one of a

be bottled, and will not be

number of staff who put forward

given out to staff until nearer

a proposal to create a wine,

Christmas.

from a small batch of Gruner

“We will also keep some in our

Veltliner grapes, grown by

wine collection. We want to be

Indevin’s Group CEO Duncan

able to taste over years to see

McFarlane.

if it has the ability to age.”

“The aim was to make a staff

In total 500 litres was

wine and the winner would be

produced, and given his own

given the opportunity to take

full on job in the red cellar

ownership through to bottling of

during vintage, Emilien says

one variety,” Emilien says.

the scholarship project was a

It was a golden opportunity,

pleasurable side line.

given he had never worked with

“During vintage everybody is

Gruner before, but that lack of

so busy dealing with so much

experience also meant he had

fruit, that it was nice to have

to undertake some intensive

something on the side that was

research. Not just the reading

my own. It was almost like an

style of research, but also tasting, prior to the grapes even

Emilien Remond

escape during vintage.”

The scholarship is an annual

being harvested.

takes away from the wine I think. I did

He tried a number of the small range

add some sugar to some of the finished

open to all staff keen to learn more about

already being produced here in

wine, just to see what it would be like.

the winemaking process. All fruit and

Marlborough, some from other regions as

But it loses the freshness and phenolic

the use of equipment is supplied by the

well as wines from the home of Gruner,

character that Gruner has.”

company, with the resulting wine shared

Austria. It quickly defined what style of

Very much a company project, staff

among the staff.

wine he wanted to make.

were involved in hand picking the fruit,

“It is a fantastic opportunity to be able

“ I chose to use a straight forward

which Emilien says he was able to leave

to do something like this. You can do

winemaking style. My goal was for it to

hanging for as long as he needed.

what you like, so long as you follow your

be a dry wine. I had been reading about

“The brix was 23, this year it was pretty

proposal – winemakers don’t often get

it, buying and tasting (Gruners) and I

good. If you want flavour, you do have to

that sot of chance.”

knew I wanted to express the grape

wait a bit.”

itself. Leaving too much residual sugar

The fruit then went through a “tiny vertical

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12/2012 WINEPRESS

The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

one offered by Indevin, and is

Chemical Application Rates TESSA NICHOLSON

In an effort to standardise chemical application rates among grape growers SWNZ is surveying growers to see just what levels of chemicals are being applied to bunches.

Currently growers supply the what and

intensive. Generally people say when

and getting you to question what you are

when details of chemical applications,

they have more intensive rows they grow

doing there if it turns out that is where you

through their spray diary. But at a recent

a smaller canopy. That has not been our

are sitting.”

SWNZ workshop, David Manktelow

experience, as generally the canopies on

The aim is to achieve a tighter distribution

pointed out there is no information on

1.8 metre rows are identical to 2.4 metre

of chemical application rates across

just how much of that chemical is being

and 2.7 metre rows. So for the same

the country. The information will also

directed at bunches, meaning there is

canopy you need more spray to reach

be paramount for the industry to take

no chance of individuals benchmarking

the same outcomes, or conversely if you

to chemical companies in an effort to

themselves.

are putting on the same (chemical rate)

get more consistent application rate

Unmanaged variability in chemical

for less intensive canopies as you are

instructions on labels in the future.

distribution is a threat to the entire

for intensive canopies, then you are over

“We want to engage in a discussion with

industry he said, and comes about

dosing the canopy.”

the chemical industry and regulators to

because there are so many variables

There are other factors that add to the

make our labels more sensible in terms

within individual blocks.

variability, such as the canopy wall height

of interpretation. Plus if we can be more

Those variables include;

and how big the bunch zones are.

sure as an industry about what is being

“So we are going to survey the industry

deposited on bunches, we can start to

to try and quantify the variation in

move some of these withholding periods

application rates. We have a confidential

closer to flowering, while still producing

on line data entry tool that makes it easy

nil detectible residues in the wines.”

• The size and density of the target canopy • The efficiency of the spray delivery system

to pass that information on to us. What

The Spray Application Rate Guidelines

per hectare rates when row spacings

we are looking for is information for two

wall chart will also be sent to all members

and canopy heights can all be

canopies or two chemicals from your

shortly. The wall chart summarises dilute

different.

property. We will give you immediate

spray application volume requirements

“When is a vineyard hectare a hectare?”

feedback, ranging from what rate per

and defines chemical application rates

David asked. “There is a lot of variation

hectare you are putting on, to what rate

for different winegrape canopy spray

due to row spacing. The normal

per 100 metre row length and more

targets.

argument is you intensify your planting

particularly what rate per 100 metres of

going from 3.1 metre rows down to 1.8

bunch line. What we are interested in is

metre or 1.6 metre which are super

the low end users and the high end users

• The difficulties involved in calculating

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12/2012 WINEPRESS

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23

“Top Ten Tips” for Building Better Wine Businesses (FROM A WINE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN WINE BUSINESS MAGAZINE)

One - Start by understanding your

Four - Make everyone in the company

of running around for no additional profit.

customer value proposition. Only part of

accountable for securing customer

Eight - Build better business intelligence

this stems from your company’s unique

preference. This is not just the job

gathering systems – most companies

heritage and / or personality. To be

of marketing but of everyone in the

are good at monitoring their own press.

successful, this needs to be strongly

company, the owner most particularly.

Very few have effective systems in place

linked to what your customers ultimately

Make this the focus of the way every

to monitor competitors, track changes in

want from the experience of your brands.

employee innovates their job processes

consumer preferences and turn customer

There is some excellent research on this

on a daily basis.

feedback into customer value added.

that is publicly available. Getting it right

Five - Invest in relationships. This is

Nine - Build 5-10 year Strategic Plans,

is therefore not out of the reach of small

particularly so with major distribution

forecast rolling 12 month budgets, link

companies.

partners. Make sure sufficient time and

them to the most relevant KPIs and

Two - Once you understand what

money is invested before demanding

tie remuneration to these wherever

customers value most, you can then

results. Be prepared to invest up front

possible. Everybody knows they should

remove what they don’t want (thereby

in bringing them to your home base

do this. Few do. The difference in the

reducing costs and freeing up cash),

and entertaining them in order to build

performance of companies that do is

focus your communication on what

enduring friendships.

enormous.

they do want (often at no additional

Six - Make all employees champions

Ten - Watch your cashflow – building

cost), differentiate your company on the

for profit. Develop a culture of honesty

a cashflow forecast is a relatively easy

basis of fulfilling customer needs more

around net revenue. Make sure everyone

exercise with the right software and some

accurately than any competitor (again

knows the actual price achieved net of

quality assistance. Some people survive

often at no extra cost) and raise prices

all discounts, rebates, bonus stock and

years of losses but you can only run out

(because your offering is more highly

anything else that might otherwise cloud

of cash once. In a cash hungry business

valued)

the true profit picture. Keep them focused

like wine – Cashflow is not just King but

Three - Always be asking the question

on reducing costs but let them know that

Oxygen.

– “If I could start with a blank canvas

a percentage increase in wine company

today – what would our wine business

revenue is, on average, twice as effective

look like?” It’s all too easy to let existing

as the same percentage decrease in

assets, existing product lines and

the cost of goods sold and 3-4 times as

existing ways of doing things blind us

effective as the same percentage saving

to what it is that our consumers value

in operating expenses.

most. Often it’s simplicity. Complexity

Seven - Optimise your pricing mix.

usually adds to costs and often only

Focus first on selling more, higher margin

serves to confuse customers. Retaining

product in high value markets to high

unnecessary or irrelevant product lines,

value customers. Beware of people in

assets or business processes is the worst

love with “big volume”. Big numbers

contributor.

make for big stories but often mean a lot

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The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough

Pinot Noir 2013 TESSA NICHOLSON

“Marlborough has finally come of age as a Pinot producer, as both vines and winemakers have matured,” said Tyson Stelzer in Wine Taste Weekly recently.

Which bodes well with Pinot Noir 2013

Each day the three groups will come

year it will be driven by the wines. There

just around the corner. Clive Jones is the

together for a shared lunch, which

is a lot of vineyard in this region that is

MC for Marlborough at the upcoming

will focus on the food producers of an

hitting that 10 – 15 year mark, which is

event, and is just one of 37 winemakers

individual region – Marlborough’s time in

making a big difference. And given all the

who will be preparing to wow the crowds

the spotlight will be day one.

wines are from 2010, which was a very

with the best of the region’s 2010 vintage.

Afternoon sessions will feature a range

good vintage for Marlborough, as it was

Pinot 2013 takes on a completely

of local winemakers and each day will

all round the country, we have some very

different format to the event held three

focus on a different topic. For example,

good wines to showcase.”

years ago. For the first time, the two

How do we Define out Pinots will be

There is a vast array of influencers

major producing regions, (Marlborough

discussed, as will the Characters behind

attending the event, including; Matt

and Central Otago) will have a hall to

Marlborough Pinot and Back to the

Kramer, Lisa Perotti Brown MW, Mike

themselves, whilst the smaller regions

Future – Innovate or Stagnate. Each of

Bennie, Ned Goodwin MW, Emmanuel

of Nelson, Wairarapa and Waipara will

the forums will be extremely interactive,

Bourguignon, Jasper Morris MW and

share a “boutique” hall. The change in

Clive says.

Tim Atkin MW. All of these will be guest

emphasis means each of the regions

“On the first day’s afternoon session,

speakers, while a large number of other

gets the opportunity to showcase the

some of the questions we want to look at

well known writers have been brought

wines through tastings, seminars and one

include how do others perceive us, is it

out by individual wineries, or regions. In

on one chats to all those attending.

how we see ourselves? So that’s a classic

Marlborough’s case, the local producers

Split into three groups, the delegates

one to throw back to the audience. From

are bringing out Oz Clarke, who will

will spend a day in each hall. In

the overseas guys, we want to find out

spend time in Marlborough prior to the

Marlborough’s case, they will be

how they perceive Marlborough Pinot.

event kicking off in Wellington on January

introduced to the region, with a focus

That’s great for us to know.”

28.

on where it has come from, to where

Given the amount of positive publicity

Despite a very good take up for the

it is now in terms of Pinot Noir. Ivan

Marlborough Pinot Noir has received in

event, Clive says tickets are still available

Sutherland will lead the seminar, with

recent weeks, Clive is expecting that to

to members of the public who would like

the help of specially produced regional

continue through into the event.

to attend. Further details are available at

maps, highlighting where each of the

“I am expecting to get a lot more positive

www.pinot2013.co.nz

participating wineries Pinot blocks are.

reaction about our Pinot this time than

The sub regions will be touched on, as

we did, say three years ago. In 2010, it

the session takes a closer look at the

was just after the 2008 surplus, so there

defined differences beginning to emerge.

was a lot of negativity, whereas I think this

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12/2012 WINEPRESS

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25

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 DECEMBER 8 Drylands rapaura Tennis Club Tournament – 9.30 – 4pm, Rapaura Tennic Courts.

8 South Island Wine and Food Festival 2012 – Hagley Park - Christchurch JANUARY 28 - 31 Pinot Noir 2013 – Wellington FEBRUARY 2 Nelson International Aromatic Symposium – details http://aromatics2013.wineart.co.nz/registration 7 – 10 Seresin’s Waterfall Bay Wine and Food Festival – Marlborough. Details james@seresin.co.nz 8 Amigos and Vinos – a night of comedy and live entertainment – Isabel Vineyards, Hawkesbury Rd 9 Marlborough Wine and Food Festival – Brancott Estate. Tickets available www.ticketek.co.nz 13 – 15 NZ Syrah Workshop – Bayview Chateau Tongariro, Mt Ruapehu

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News From Home and Away Huge Expansion for

Greywacke Debuts In Wine Spectator

the Old Ebbitt Grill International Wines for

Marisco Vineyards

Top 100

Oysters Competition. The top five places

Following hard on the

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2011 has

went to Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs,

heels of last month’s

been chosen as one of the ‘2012 Most

and eight of the top 10 came from this

Winepress story about

Exciting Top 100 Wines’ in the influential

region.

an increase in vineyard

American Wine Spectator magazine. In

The Grand Champion this year was

sales and potential

fact, it was rated 92 Points, and secured

Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2011.

vineyard land, came

the 53rd spot on the coveted list.

The First Runner Up was Mount Nelson

the news that Brent

The accolade is all the more significant

Sauvignon Blanc 2011 and the Second

Marris has bought the

given the fact that 2012 marks

Runner Up was Sileni Sauvignon Blanc

historic Leefield Station

Greywacke’s inauguration in the US

2012.

in the Waihopai Valley.

market.

It’s an amazing achievement for

Not all of the 2,000ha

‘It’s our first year in the US, and the

Marlborough, especially given that since

are suitable for viticulture, although Brent

response has been beyond my wildest

2005 there has only been one year that

is intending to plant 100ha of vineyard

dreams,’ commented Kevin Judd, who

Marlborough hasn’t taken top place. (That

next season. Prior to this purchase, Brent

has just shipped the 2012 release to

year, it went to Chile.)

already owned 265ha of land in the

meet the unprecedented demand.

Previous winners include:

Waihopai Valley, a site that has spawned

The same wine attracted the attention

2011: Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2011

The Ned and The Kings Series of wines.

of the UK’s Jancis Robinson MW who

2010: Sileni Marlborough Sauvignon

Brent said Marisco Vineyard sales are

claimed in the Financial Times that it was

Blanc 2010

growing at the equivalent of 100ha

‘one of the most exciting Marlborough

2009: Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2008

of vineyard a year and the purchase

Sauvignons to have come my way.’

2008: Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice

of Leefield secures one part of these future supply requirements, enabling the business to continue meeting the global demand.

Marlborough Savvie and Oysters – The Perfect Match Once again Marlborough has dominated

Sauvignon Blanc 2008 2007: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2007

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Accolades A massive month for Marlborough Wines – which all deserve to be congratulated.

Air New Zealand Wine Awards Trophies for Marlborough Wines Reserve Wine of the Show - Matua Valley Single Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2011 Champion Sauvignon Blanc - Wither Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Champion Chardonnay - Matua Valley Single Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2011 Champion Pinot Gris - Eradus Awatere Valley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2012 Champion Gewürztraminer - Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2010 Champion Open White Wine - Wither Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Marlborough Pure Gold Medals Sauvignon Blanc Ara Single Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Artisan The Sands Block Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Framingham Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Huntaway Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Kim Crawford Small Parcels Spitfire Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Rapaura Springs Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Sileni Cellar Selection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2012 The Kings Favour Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Tohu Mugwi Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Vicarage Lane Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Wither Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Yealands Estate Single Block Series M2 Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Riesling Vavasour Riesling 2011 Pinot Gris Eradus Wines Awatere Valley Pinot Gris 2012 Spy Valley Pinot Gris 2012 Stoneleigh Pinot Gris 2012 Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Gris 2012 Gewürztraminer Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewürztraminer 2010 Chardonnay Auntsfield Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 Matua Valley Single Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2011 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay 2011 Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2011 Dessert Wine Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘B’ Late Harvest Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Lawson’s Dry Hills Late Harvest Riesling 2010 Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection 2011 Pinot Noir Ara Resolute Pinot Noir 2011 Bird Big Barrel Pinot Noir 2011 Esk Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2011 Jules Taylor Wines Marlborough Pinot Noir 2011 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Pinot Noir 2011 Scott Base Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010 Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Pinot Noir 2011 Champion Exhibition White or Sparkling Wine 17 Seventeen Valley Chardonnay 2011 Drylands Marlborough Dry Riesling 2012 Giesen The Brothers Marlborough Chardonnay 2011 Lawson’s Dry Hills The Pioneer Pinot Gris 2010 Maude Mt Maude Vineyard East Block Riesling 2012 West Brook Marlborough Riesling 2011 Champion Exhibition Red Wine Söderberg Single Vineyard Home Block

Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010 Tupari Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2011 Marlborough Wine Show Trophy Winners Champion Wine of the Show - Lawson’s Dry Hills Pinot Noir 2010 Champion Sparkling Wine - Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough Brut Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2012 - Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2011 - The King’s Favour Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and older Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Champion Sauvignon Blanc ‘Emerging styles’Waterfalls Road ‘Technical Drop’ Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Champion Chardonnay 2012-2011 - Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay 2011 Champion Pinot Gris - Kim Crawford Regional Reserves Pinot Gris 2012 Champion Riesling 2012-2011- Two Rivers Juliet Riesling 2012 Champion Riesling 2010 and older - Coopers Creek Marlborough Riesling 2010 Champion Gewurztraminer - Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2010 Champion Sweet Wine - Brancott Estate Letter Series Late Harvest ‘B’ Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Champion Pinot Noir 2012-2011 - Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Pinot Noir 201 Champion Pinot Noir 2010 - Lawson’s Dry Hills Pinot Noir 2010 Champion Pinot Noir 2009 and older - Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2009 Great Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards Congrats to two local companies who are trophy winners. Yealands Estate picked up the Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices trophy, while Spy Valley was awarded the trophy for Architecture and Landscapes.

New Zealand Winemaker of the Year For the second year in a row Hamish Clark, Senior Winemaker at Saint Clair Family Estate has been awarded the Winestate magazine’s trophy for New Zealand Winemaker of the year.

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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