Whitehaven Wine Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Ross to the role of Chief Executive Officer.

Steve is not new to Whitehaven, having joined the company in 2008 following several years with Fonterra in commercial, analytical & project management roles.

Congratulations to Spy Valley Wines, who have taken out the first “Marlborough Wine Industry Workplace Wellbeing Impact Award”! The entire Spy Valley team, from vineyard to winery, connected over Taco Tuesday and an exclusive preview of the 2023 vintage straight from the tanks & barrels.

Marlborough’s 2023 vintage “could have gone so wrong and came out so well”, says Astrolabe Winemaker Simon Waghorn. “Every winemaker I’ve spoken to is pretty excited and also a bit bemused.”

Despite the perils of a wet and cool spring and summer, harvest was “magic” across the board, thanks largely to a lingering harvest under optimal autumnal conditions, he adds. “I think all the varieties have benefitted from more time on the vines and ripening a bit later.”

Farmstrong is a nationwide, rural wellbeing programme that helps people manage the ups and downs of farming and growing. To find out what works for you and lock it in, visit www.farmstrong.co.nz

Here are some resources about dealing and managing stress.

International research found that people who thrive had five things in common. The key is to lock them in as small, but regular improvements, so they become a habit.

Rugby great Sam Whitelock talks about his role as Farmstrong ambassador and what he does to manage stress and pressure and build his resilience.

The first Wine Industry Wellness Week runs from May 8 to 12, to support a culture of wellness and wellbeing in the industry, while highlighting effective and innovative initiatives from across the sector. That includes everyone from growers and vineyard workers to wineries and the services sector.

A range of different activities are taking place alongside Wellness Week. Find out more here.

Celebrated on the first Friday in May #SauvBlancDay is a global, social media wine tasting and opportunity to digitally connect wine lovers around the world with Marlborough. To find out how to get involved or find our toolkit please visit https://sauvignonblancday.co.nz/

Marlborough’s Lower Wairau Valley captured the tastes of judges when it came to Riesling at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.

Lake Chalice’s The Falcon Riesling 2021 was the pick of the bunch, winning the De Sangosse Champion Riesling trophy at the show.

A wine made only in the best of years has been named the Barrel Finance and Logistics Champion Sweet Wine at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.

Tohu Wines picked up the trophy as one of a trifecta at the awards for the company this year, with their Tohu Raiha Reserve Noble Riesling 2016.

The WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Blanc, previous vintage, at the 2022 QuayConnect Marlborough Wine Show has been over three decades in the making.

Vavasour Wines picked up the trophy with their Vavasour Papa Sauvignon Blanc 2021, made from the very first Sauvignon Blanc vines planted in the Awatere Valley more than 30 years ago.

A concentrated effort from the entire Marisco team can be credited for their title of Classic Oak Products Champion Pinot Noir, current vintage at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.

The same wine,‘The King’s Wrath’ Pinot Noir 2021, also saw the company pick up the trophy for Champion Wine of the Show.

When Giesen Director of Winemaking Duncan Shouler and his team bottled their Single Vineyard Clayvin Syrah 2021, they knew it was something special.

The wine was recently crowned Wine Marlborough Champion Other Red Wine at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.

A marriage of top quality fruit and traditional winemaking techniques was the secret behind the winning sparkling wine at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.

Pernod Ricard picked up the Vitis & Winemakers Champion Sparkling Wine trophy with their Deutz Prestige Cuvée 2017.

Sauvignon Blanc was a stand out for Vavasour Wines at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, who took home two Sauvignon Blanc category trophies.

Their Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2022 shone in the WineWorks Champion Sauvignon Blanc, Current Vintage category, despite a tricky growing season.

A commitment to respect in the vineyard is paying off for viticulture and winemaking teams at Giesen Wines.

The company picked up three trophies for two wines made in the organic Clayvin Vineyard at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.

A traditional and hands-off approach in the winery paid off for Tohu winemakers, who came away from the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, with not one but two trophies for their Whenua Awa Pinot Noir 2019.

Tohu Wines Chief Winemaker Bruce Taylor says the wine is a favourite for the team in the winery; the 2019 vintage a standout amongst vertical tastings even now.

Minimal intervention was at the forefront when Rapaura Springs Winemaker Mike Bann set about to make the trophy-winning Single Vineyard Bouldevines Vineyard Chardonnay 2020.

The wine was awarded the MRC Champion Chardonnay, Current Vintage, at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.

The 36th Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is shaping up as a feast of opportunities for both seasoned foodies and those looking to learn.

Festival Committee Chair and Marlborough grape grower Tracy Johnston describes Marlborough food as one oof the region’s best-kept secrets.

Extra love in the vineyard and unconventional winemaking methods are behind the Wine Marlborough Champion Alternate Style Sauvignon Blanc of the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.

The Wine Marlborough Alternate Style Sauvignon Blanc trophy was awarded to Te Pā Oke Sauvignon Blanc 2020, beating out 10 other entries in the emerging category.