Who's the glutton?
OPINION: We are told there is a wine glut - production outstripping demand worldwide - and the words 'wine lakes' are being thrown around.
A Hawkes Bay Chardonnay has been awarded Champion Wine of Show at this year's Romeo Bragato Wine Awards.
Grown by Phil Holden, the Vidal Legacy Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2012 won the coveted Bragato Trophy, and the Bill Irwin Trophy for Champion Chardonnay.
Chairman of judges Ben Glover says the "effortless class, poise and style of this exquisite wine" shone through.
The Bragato Wine Awards, held each year as part of the New Zealand Winegrowers Romeo Bragato Conference, are awarded to the grower for viticultural excellence.
The competition recognises that growing excellent grapes is the foundation of making wines of true quality.
The trophies were presented at the Bragato Dinner last night.
During the dinner three wine industry pioneers were inducted as Fellows of New Zealand Winegrowers. Hermann and Agnes Seifried, Seifried Estate in Nelson, and Richard Riddiford, Palliser Estate in Martinborough were honoured with the title and recognised for making an outstanding contribution to the New Zealand grape and wine industry.
The young leaders of the wine industry were also celebrated with 27 year old Paul Robinson from Villa Maria, Hawkes Bay, announced as the winner of the Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.

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