New Zealand Wine

With the change in season, it’s a great time to start thinking about doing a walk-in-the-rain Vineyard Survey. Walkover surveys can provide useful, highly detailed, site-specific information on a range of potential sources and pathways of water-laden contaminants such as sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen, or bacteria from animal excrement. This method involves walking around a vineyard or farm during wet weather, looking for runoff or ponding and their connectivity to waterways (surface water or groundwater), then marking this information on a map. Look at flow paths and check for connectivity with waterways (surface or ground water) – the connections may not necessarily be on your property e.g. water running out your gate and down the road could be running into a waterway some distance away. Any connections should be ascertained. If you have any questions, please email fwfp@nzwine.com. More information including a template can be found at the link below. https://bit.ly/4hV1J4E

A new social enterprise to repay the sacrifices of seasonal workers represents chicken feed for Allain Liu-Vitivae – in all the right ways. Cloudy Bay Vineyards’ Good Pick Fund, as part of the Village to Village Charitable Trust programme, has launched an initiative to bolster the business aspirations of Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme workers in their home nations, including the chicken farm plans of its inaugural recipient. Allain, who has been an RSE worker in New Zealand for 10 years, has returned to his home island of Ambae, Vanuatu, to establish an egg business, with plans to buy 100 hens and build shelter and fencing. Having undertaken a small business and financial literacy programme through Vakameasina in Marlborough, Allain applied to Cloudy Bay’s Good Pick Fund for an interest-free loan of nearly $6,000. As well as the money, Allain will receive mentoring as he builds his business, ultimately paying back the loan so it can go on to another recipient. Read the full story at the link below 🔗 https://bit.ly/3E2wV44 #nzwine #wine #nz

Inspired by the stars of Matariki, the Organic & Biodynamic Winegrowing Conference invites delegates to an unforgettable evening of reflection, celebration, and connection through exceptional food, delicious wine, and meaningful conversation: the Matariki Organic Feast. This year’s guest chef is none other than Auckland’s 2024 Outstanding Chef, Kia Kanuta. Taking place at the ASB Theatre and Marlborough Events Centre from 16-18 June 2025! Join Organic Winegrowers NZ for this compelling three-day technical conference, focusing on vital topics such as climate change, water ecology, biodiversity, soil health, biodynamics, regenerative viticulture, and much more. For more information, conference passes, and evening event tickets, visit https://lnkd.in/gBKZ6K5s

Bragato Trust Scholarship applications close on 31 March. Students wanting to further their studies in the wine industry are encouraged to apply. The annual scholarships are eligible for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Applications close on 31 March and applicants will be notified by June. For application forms and information on applying, visit the link below 🔗 https://bit.ly/490XNuR Lincoln University (NZ), Massey University, The University of Auckland, Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), Eastern Institute of Technology

Huntress, Novum, and The Marlborist embody an evolution of small producers in New Zealand. Despite not owning vineyards or wineries, they seek to craft individualistic wines while proving that success is about much more than just the product itself – it’s about the connections, values, and authenticity that shape each bottle. The Marlborist, founded by Richard Ellis, Stu Dudley, and Dave Nash, emphasises the importance of industry relationships. By leveraging decades of experience, the trio access premium Marlborough sites, including Auntsfield and The Wrekin, which supply all of their Pinot Noir. Read the full story at the link below 🔗 https://bit.ly/3WU4HPd #nzwine #wine #nz

New Zealand Wine has just returned from exhibiting at the three-day ProWein event in Düsseldorf. There was a significant New Zealand presence with over 60 wineries at the fair. While the event appeared quieter than previous years, it is fair to say there was still a positive buzz and energy around the New Zealand producers, as visitors explored the wide range of New Zealand wines available. The New Zealand Wine Pavilion featured 30 Years of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) allowing us to showcase our programme's achievements to an engaged international wine trade audience. We were delighted to welcome Ambassador Craig John Hawke who came and spent time with all our exhibitors and we are also grateful for the support of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Thank you to all the wineries who exhibited and the visitors who came and met our producers and enjoyed our wines. #nzwine #altogetherunique #swnz30years #prowein

As the second youngest of six kids, and the fourth generation on the land, Rippon’s Nick Mills talks of his family’s connection to a “ridiculously special place”. “Land and vines endure past a single lifetime, so intergenerational knowledge is critical, yet farm succession is by far the hardest single agricultural activity to undertake.” At RIPPON VINEYARD & WINERY, we hope that the emotions people feel when they see and feel our place can help them understand why our vines are so happy here. It is the vines’ ungrafted, unirrigated, intimate and ongoing connection to this place that makes the wines what they are. Read the full story at the link below 🔗 https://bit.ly/3WU4HPd #nzwine #wine #nz

To leverage Pinot Noir NZ 2025 held in Ōtautahi Christchurch last month, New Zealand Winegrowers invited a group of highly influential trade and media from key markets to attend the event. In addition to attending the event, these guests participated in New Zealand wine itineraries split across nine of our New Zealand wine regions for an action-packed 2+ weeks of New Zealand wine immersion. In between many New Zealand wines tasted and wineries visited, our guests were treated to scenic flights over the Waitaki Valley, a friendly cricket match at Cape Sanctuary in Hawke’s Bay, Pinot Safari’s across Marlborough vineyards, hikes through Putuna Chasm Wairarapa, eel feeding and jet boat rides in North Canterbury, boat cruising, walking and wine tasting in Abel Tasman, surf club shenanigans in Gisborne, exploring our island of wine on Waiheke Island, and ROAMing in Central Otago. Because to get under the skin of what makes New Zealand wine unique, you have to experience everything New Zealand has to offer. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to visit us at the bottom of the world. Rebecca Gibb MW, Helena Nicklin, Olly Smith, John Wilson, Sarah Neish, roger jones, Dominik Vombach, Christina Pickard, Shana Clarke, Kathleen Willcox, Amber Rill, Jenna Isaacs (CS, CSW, WSET3, CWAS), Betsy Andrews, Jacky Blisson MW, Christopher Sealy, Katie Spain, mike bennie, Shanteh Wale, Ashley Pini, Liinaa Berry, Cyndal Petty, Fongyee Walker MW, Yang LU MS, Richard Hemming MW, and Matsunaga Bungo. You're now all members of our global New Zealand wine community.

The Organic & Biodynamic Winegrowing Conference is returning to the ASB Theatre and Marlborough Events Centre from 16-18 June 2025! Join Organic Winegrowers NZ for this compelling three-day technical conference, focusing on vital topics such as climate change, water ecology, biodiversity, soil health, biodynamics, regenerative viticulture, and much more. Bringing together leading industry experts and speakers from across Aotearoa and the globe, the conference is designed for all wine industry producers – from the certified organic to the curious. Expect innovation, knowledge-sharing, and networking to inspire the future of winegrowing. It's perfect for vineyard practitioners/managers, viticulturists, winemakers, exporters, and wine marketers. Speakers include Rajat Parr (USA), Joseph Brinkley (USA), Katia Nussbaum (Italy), Dr. Mike Joy (New Zealand), Dr. Mary Retallack (Australia), Mike Saunders (Australia), James Bowskill (New Zealand), Jeremy Hyland (New Zealand), and Jens Merkle (New Zealand). Included with your conference pass is the opportunity to explore some of New Zealand’s best organic wines, poured by their producers, at the Aotearoa Organic Tasting on the first night of the conference. Also on offer is an evening dedicated to reflection, celebration, and connection through exceptional food, fine wine, and meaningful conversation: the Matariki Organic Feast on the second night. This year’s theme, "A Touch of Sparkle," is inspired by the stars of the Matariki constellation. A separate ticketed event that sells out each year, the feast promises to be a memorable experience. Our special guest chef will be announced soon – you won’t want to miss this! The conference concludes with the final ticketed evening event – the International Organic Tasting, Mai Tawhiti – From a Distance. Taste iconic international organic wines, riverside, with light bites and ambient tunes. For more information, conference passes, and evening event tickets, visit https://lnkd.in/gqXGUvSx

2025 is set to be an exciting year for the New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year programme as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. The New Zealand Young Viticulturist programme was launched in 2006 by a group of passionate viticulturists keen to support future viticultural leaders. Over 250 young viticulturists have competed over the years with most entering multiple times, such as the benefits of taking part. Paul Robinson, the 2014 winner and now Viticulturist at Mission Estate Winery has recently been appointed as the new Chair of the National Committee. “I’m privileged to step up into this role in such a special year and continue helping bring through the next generation of Young Vits, the same way I was supported earlier in my career.” The 20th Young Viticulturist of the Year will be announced at the New Zealand Wine 2025 Dinner on 28 August, following several regional competitions around the country and the 2025 National Final being held at Greystone. Anniversary celebrations will be held in September. Read the full media release at the link below. https://lnkd.in/ge3VJp-b