The March 2023 edition of Winepress looks at:

Fabulous Festival
The 36th Marlborough Wine & Food Festival - held two years later than planned - was “world class”. Having an event in the heart of New Zealand’s largest winegrowing region is absolutely a winner,” says Tracy Johnston.

Wear not waste not
Giesen Group is upcycling its worn-out wardrobe in a step towards circularity. “It’s amazing how many dirty old high vis are hanging around tucked away in corners,” says Renee Sturch.

In the Pipeline
Continuing a series on water regulations, resource management expert Quentin Davies looks at what’s in the pipeline for Marlborough grape growers.

Vantage Point - Mark Unwin

Environment Awards - Cropsy Technologies

Generation Y-ine - Cameron Steel

Cover: As vintage 2023 kicks off for some and looms for others, Babich Wines’ David Bullivant reflects on the season to date. Photo Jim Tannock. See page 10.

Model Vineyard
High yields and increased grape prices in the 2022 harvest provided a “welcome improvement” for Marlborough grape growers, according to the latest Marlborough Vineyard Monitoring Report.

Cooperative Approach
Cloudy Bay founder David Hohnen is working with grape grower cooperatives around the world, including one in the ‘heartland’ of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

In the Pipeline
In the first of a series on water regulations, resource management expert Quentin Davies looks at what’s in store for the wine industry.

Pioneering Spirit - Murray Paterson

Environment Awards - Wither Hills' Rarangi Wetland

Generation Y-ine - Lewis Davidson

Cover: Kathryn Kleboe at Wither Hills’ extraordinary Rarangi Wetland, Photo Jim Tannock. See page 18

The January 2023 issue of Winepress looks at:

Wine Festival
Next month’s Marlborough Wine & Food Festival will be a “stellar” event after a tough couple of years for the industry, says Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens.

Happy New Year
Winepress gleans insights into the year ahead from those grappling with challenges - from short labour to skyrocketing costs - and leveraging opportunities, including stellar demand for our flagship variety.

Seddon on Track
A new cruise ship steam train excursion from Picton to Seddon is a huge leap for the Awatere Valley community and economy, say Tūpari Wines general manager Olivia Doonan.

Future Lens - Next Generation Viticulture

Environment Awards - Smart Machine

Generation Y-ine - O'Shea Bailey

Generation Y-ine - Lucas Strong

Cover: Jamie Marfell and his classmates planted some of the region’s earliest vines, on a Montana vineyard neighbouring their Fairhall school. Nearly 50 years on, the winemaker looks back at a transformative industry.  Photo Jim Tannock. See page 14.

The December 2022 issue of Winepress looks at:

Seasonal Labour spotlight
It is hoped a government review of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme will help ensure it is a win-win for industry and migrant workers. Brendon Burns talks to Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale in Samoa about the scheme, while Tanya Pouwhare discusses a valuable worker survey in New Zealand.

Environment Awards
As part of a series on entrants in the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards, Annabelle Latz explores Patriarch Vineyard and the purifying power of a wetland.

So Long 2022
As 2022 draws to a close, we look back at some of the highs and lows reported in Winepress, with bumper yields but light labour force, and stellar demand but slippery supply lines, along with myriad other examples of our rocky road to recovery.

Cover: Hard work, good luck and enduring relationships have characterised Allan Scott’s 49-year journey in Marlborough’s wine industry. Photo Jim Tannock. See page 10

The November issue of Winepress looks at:  

Marlborough Wine Show
Pinot Noir shone at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect. Meanwhile, Allan Scott and Mark Allen were presented Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Celebration Long Lunch.

Vintage Preparations Marlborough wine companies are cautiously optimistic about recruiting experienced crews for vintage 2023, despite challenges in getting overseas talent into the country.

Environment Awards
As part of a series on entrants in the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards, Repost co-founder Stu Dudley discusses a successful vision to transform broken vineyard posts into a valued farming resource.

Our People - Eva Pemper

Generation Y-ine - Kaitlyn Smidt

Cover: Climate change doesn’t necessarily mean less frost risk, say two weather watchdogs for the New Zealand wine industry. Photo Jim Tannock. See page 16

The October 2022 issue of Winepress looks at:

Workforce Planning
With vintage 2023 looming, we look at the Muka Tangata Workforce Development Council, Wine Marlborough’s industry workforce plan, and the new visa requirements following an immigration reset.

Young Winemaker
Alun Kilby has long had an appetite for trying new things. “I have always wanted to be a little bit outside of the box and not run by the recipe,” says the 2022 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year.

Future Vineyard
A controlled-environment research vineyard is to be developed alongside The New Zealand Wine Centre -Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa – to help future-proof New Zealand’s wine industry.

Generation Y-ine - Jess Marston

Generation Y-ine - Santiago Mendez

Cover: Constellation Brands vineyard managers Matt Gallop, left, and Greg Gill take part in a company planting day at Blind River, focused on health, safety and the environment. Photo Jim Tannock. See page 10

The September 2022 issue of Winepress looks at:

RSE Spotlight
Recent criticism of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme is a reminder to all involved, from contractors to wine companies, of their responsibility to seasonal workers in the vines.

Rain Gauge
The wine industry “barely dropped a beat” following an August deluge that closed roads, damaged vineyards and stalled pruning across the region.

Wine Show
The 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, will celebrate Marlborough’s subregional diversity. “When you start drilling down there are so many expressions of all three valleys,” says judge Stu Marfell.

Generation Y-ine - Gracie-Rose Kay

Cover: Volunteer firefighters like Spy Valley bottling manager Ryan Anderson are an asset to the industry and community. Photo Jim Tannock. See page 16

The August 2022 edition of Winepress looks at:

Tourism Reset
As borders open and cruise ships loom, a Marlborough Cellar Door Steering Group is liaising with wine tourism operators and Destination Marlborough to improve the region’s wine visitor experience.

Workforce Planning
Work has started on a wine industry workforce development plan. “We have specific seasonal and long-term needs, alongside workforce factors that are unique to Marlborough,” says Nicci Armour.

Young Viticulturist
In the past few months Tahryn Mason has completed harvest, become a father, and won the 2022 Corteva Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year. “I don’t do things in half measures, that’s for sure.

Generation Y-ine - Chloe Gabrielsen

Cover: Marlborough’s new Destination Management Plan includes a timely ‘reset’ for wine tourism. Photo Jim Tannock. Go to page 10

Vintage Survey
Marlborough’s 2022 grape harvest has weighed in at 414,649 tonnes, up 54% on last year’s light yields, allowing the wine industry to rebuild “rock bottom” wine stocks.

Mānawatia a Matariki
As Aotearoa marked its first national Matariki holiday, many in Marlborough’s wine industry reflected on the growing influence of te ao Māori on how we live and work.

Inland Ports
Plans for two inland ports at Riverlands are positive for Marlborough’s wine industry, says Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens. “To me it indicates real confidence in our sector.”

Generation Y-ine - Lara Campbell

Cover: Jeff Sinnott and some Constellation Brands staff members gather at Rarangi beach before sunrise, to mark Matariki in the phase of Tangaroa. Photo Jim Tannock

Pruning Field Day
The complex challenges of recent years have improved the working relationship of winegrowers and labour contractors in Marlborough.

Appellation Marlborough Wine
Appellation Marlborough Wine is extending and strengthening its guardianship of New Zealand’s largest winegrowing region. “We want to offer consumers an assurance of a wine with typicity and concentration,” says Sophie Parker-Thomson MW.

Innovation Activation
The recent Marlborough Innovation Day brought innovators, producers and funders together, providing insights for those seeking to solve local and global problems from Marlborough.

Generation Y-ine - Bec Norton

Cover: Dominic Pecchenino has been awarded the Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement award, recognising three decades of research, governance and hard work. Photo by Jim Tannock. See page 10

Vintage 2022
Amid the temptation to replenish empty pipelines with bountiful yields, Marlborough producers face winery limitations, labour shortages and the complexity of La Niña conditions.

Workforce Diversity
The 2022 vintage has drawn a more diverse labour supply than ever before. Meet wine degree graduate Zoe Holcroft (page 14) photographer Santiago Vadillo (page 15) and retiree Henny Vervaart (page 16)

Wine Tourism
Cellar doors and wine tour operators are excited by the tourism “reset” offered by the handbrake of Covid-19 and a new Destination Management Plan.

Vintage 2022
The harvest is laden with challenges this year, including Omicron, labour shortages, and disease pressure. But as companies contemplate good crop levels and the prospect of boosted Sauvignon supplies, they’re working hard to mitigate every risk

Growing Careers
Opportunities abound in Marlborough’s wine industry, especially in these labour-strapped years of Covid-19. Sam Stevens (page 14), Tracy Gilman (page 16), Finn Pitman (page 17) and Zac Howell (page 22) are busy growing their careers in wine

Building Resilience
Learning to recognise stages in a downward spiral, and respond rapidly to offset them, can improve performance and wellbeing, says resilience expert Bradley Hook.

Forgotten Corners - Whenua Awa
Generation Y-ine - Zac Howell

Seasonal Update ⁠
Marlborough’s vineyards seem to be cropping close to average for the 2022 vintage, which is good news for companies with empty tanks after last year’s low yields. ⁠

⁠Cellar Opportunities ⁠
New Zealand’s closed borders present huge employment opportunities for Marlborough’s upcoming harvest, according to industry members at a cellar operations taster day last month. ⁠

Young Viticulturist ⁠
New Zealand’s red light settings saw some swift plan changes for the national final of the Corteva Young Viticulturist of the Year Competition, held in Marlborough late last month. ⁠

⁠Cover: Wither Hills Head Winemaker Matt Large says wineries have layers of contingency plans prepared for Vintage 2022, as they deal with labour shortages and the threat of Omicron. See page 10⁠