Marlborough is responsible for over three-quarters of the wine production of New Zealand. As a region, we are recognised as one of the most powerful wine brands globally and wine is the single most important export for the region economically. 

Yet that success brings with it a huge volume of organic waste, a sizable consumption of energy and a meaningful mark on the Marlborough landscape. 

As our socially conscious markets (rightly) become more selective of the brands they support, it becomes not just our obligation but also a huge opportunity for Marlborough to showcase our commitment to our land and our sense of kaitiakitanga – governing how we care for it.

With this opportunity firmly in sight, some of the most respected names in the industry have come together, under the banner of Marlborough Circular Wine Group, to turbocharge Marlborough Wine industry’s focus on circular outcomes. We look forward to you joining us on the journey.

The Marlborough Circular Wine Group was developed by Wine Marlborough Ltd with the support of Marlborough District Council as a ‘CIT’ group (“Collaboration, Innovation and Transformation”). During this research and set up phase, a number of key insights stood out as fundamental requirements for true industry-wide impact. These include:

• A steering group that was passionate AND commercial and empowered to move projects forward.

• A culture of absolute openness, with a commitment to making learnings and practices available to the entire industry.

• A desire to ‘just get going’, with minimum viable products, prototypes and in-field trials that start small but show potential.

• A collaborative approach to all industry stakeholders (and OTHER industries too), to ensure that change will be long term, well-leveraged and impactful.

The group self-formed mid 2023 and has been meeting monthly since.

Our group is comprised of the following representatives, balancing views from both the biggest and the most boutique.

We love inviting guests to join the Marlborough Circular Wine Group as projects and goals require, with Plant and Food and BRI both contributing to current collaborative outcomes at present.

• Jim White, Cloudy Bay - Chair

• Tracey Marshall, Pernod Ricard - Deputy Chair

• Matt Gallop, Constellation

• Malcolm Clemett, Kono

• Andree Piddington, Yealands

• Nick Entwistle, Rose Family Estate

• Tara Smith, Indevin

• Emily Lamont, Delegat

• Alistair Thomson, Hortus

• Renee Sturch, Giesen Group

• Richard Ellis, The Marlborist

• Matt Mitchell, Marisco

• Ruth Berry, Wine Marlborough

• Ed Massey, New Zealand Winegrowers

• Mark Unwin, Marlborough District Council

Although there’s a mountain of work we could embrace, we’ve narrowed our focus to just three clear (but lofty) goals:

1. Lees – to eliminate liquid lees to ponds and dewatered sludge to landfill by 2026.

2. Marc – to implement a long-term, sustainable solution for grape marc by 2030 AND

3. Regenerative practices – to start with a definition of regenerative viticulture that is relevant and restorative for Marlborough.

4. Decarbonisation of fuel

5. Recycling

6. Glass and

7. Reduction in water use

We can’t help but be drawn in to other fascinating topics though, and have firmly in our sights. However opportunities in these sectors will be evaluated in the context of the above three priorities and the resources available to us as momentum gains.

Our top three outcomes each have different timelines depending on the magnitude of the task however, we’ve set ourselves tangible ‘objectives and key results’ in all programmes of work so we’re breaking down the more daunting takes into manageable chunks. While goals will change as we iterate, we are focussed on ensuring there are a good balance of short term wins and longer term sustainable changes.

As the plan evolves, your participation and feedback is essential! Here’s how you can help.

1. Register your interest in being involved this will keep you in the know, on the list and on our radar as an advocate

2. Join our events. We’ll be opening up most of the forums/ learning opportunities we secure to the wider group so make sure you join (either online or in person) and if you can’t make it, there are usually notes!

3. Get your hands dirty! We’re a group that love to experiment but for us to make a real difference we need widespread adoption! Whether its popping a geobag on site for lees or offering a trial site for one of our more promising start-ups, we’ll be sure to let you know how you can help.

If you have ideas or questions please contact Liz Webb (facilitator) at liz@practics.co.nz