Vintage Report
Marlborough’s 269,521 tonne harvest, representing 75.2% of the New Zealand wine industry’s 2021 yield, was 21% down on 2020, cutting grower incomes and creating supply challenges for wine companies.

Export Hold Up
Shipping delays are “majorly” impacting wine exports, as companies become familiar with bookings getting “bumped” and shipments delayed

Saving our Soils
Under wheel compaction and reduced levels of soil carbon under vines are some of the concerning soil issues in Marlborough vines. But management techniques can help restore soil health, says environmental scientist Matt Oliver.

Generation Y-ine - Sarah Rowley Adams and Josh Rowley

Good Stuff - Lawson's Dry Hills

#sauvblancday
Wine Marlborough partnered with Feast Marlborough for the 12th International Sauvignon Blanc Day on May 7, delivering a #sauvblancday lounge at the Bayleys Friday Night Feast.

Pruning Field Day
Laying excessive canes for bigger yields can result in unbalanced vines, viticulturist Jeff Sinnott told attendees at the Marlborough Pruning Day. “It’s about finding a balance between what the vineyard is capable of and what the winery wants.”

Vineyard Agritech
The New Zealand wine industry has typically relied on offshore technology or modified innovations from industries like dairy, says Simon Yarrow of Callaghan Innovation. “Now we have some fantastic examples of locally developed solutions in the wine industry.”

Generation Y-ine - Anirudh Inasu

Vintage View
Lighter than anticipated grape yields in 2021, coupled with strong demand for Marlborough wine, will change the industry, say those anticipating “short term intense pain”, for longer term gains.

Project Veraison
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc’s brand equity is being undermined by deep discounting and overfamiliar consumers in Australia. But there is huge opportunity to boost the value of the category, according to Project Veraison.

Vakameasina
For the past 11 years, Walter Nungnung has left his home on Ambrym Island and come to New Zealand with the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, for seasonal work in vineyards and learnings through Vakameasina.

Good Stuff - Mick Norton

Cover: Giesen’s Duncan Shouler says Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is all about the place it comes from. He’s one of the voices in the Project Harvest digital campaign, singing Sauvignon’s praises. Photo by Jim Tannock. Page 12

Vintage update

Méthode Marlborough
The inaugural Méthode Marlborough Day was a sparkling success, topped off by a progressive dinner, where 100 guests moved between three glittering venues, to taste wines from the 12 member wineries.

Wine School
New Zealand’s wine industry has boosted its support for the New Zealand School of Winegrowing, with funding, grapes, juice and tertiary training. Meanwhile, seven students have opted for a full immersion vintage lesson at wineries around the province

Forgotten Corners - Mondo Kopua

Good Stuff - Repost

Generation Y-ine - Ellie Hobbs

Economic Yields
A new report reveals that 18% of all Marlborough’s economic activity in 2020, a total of $571 million, can be attributed to the wine industry, with one in every four jobs directly and indirectly related to wine.

Vintage 2021
The upcoming vintage is likely to be compressed, with low yields and warm weather leading to rapid ripening. After a year of unexpectedly stellar Sauvignon sales around the world, wine companies have little remaining in the tank to make up for the seasonal shortfall.

Labour Logistics
Marlborough is facing something of a perfect storm around labour shortages this winter pruning season, with an additional 1,630 hectares of vineyard planted in the past two years, but only a fraction of the typical labour force, and far fewer skills than in the past.

Summer Feast
Rock bands in the cellar door, vinyl in the vines, cheese at the church and Sauvignon in the Sounds. The Summer Feast series is ensuring there’s plenty on in Marlborough this month.

Heating up for Harvest
Marlborough wineries are steaming ahead with harvest preparations, taking the challenges of labour shortages and potential Covid-19 outbreaks in their stride.

Waste not want not
Managing winery waste sustainably - economically as well as environmentally - requires vigilance, says Rapaura Springs’ waste management manager Pat Pacey. With vintage approaching, the Marlborough District Council provides guidance on how more companies can ensure compliance.

Tourism Reset
Wine tourism in Marlborough is forging ahead in the wake of Covid-19, with operators enjoying the benefits of a strong domestic market. Experience Counts Cloudy Bay’s customer experience team “embraced” lockdown, using it as an opportunity to refocus on the domestic market.

McBride Sisters
Andréa McBride John grew up surrounded by vines in Marlborough, while her big sister lived 10,000 kilometres away on a vineyard in Monterey. These days the McBride sisters have a thriving wine company that spans New Zealand and Californian wine.