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It is 21 years since the very first Romeo Bragato Conference was held. Back in 1995 it was organized by the New Zealand Grape Grower’s Council, aimed at providing growers with up-to-date information on what was happening out there in the vineyard.
It was appropriately named after the founding father of New Zealand’s viticulture industry – Italian trained viticulturist Romeo Bragato.
These days, while the name remains the same, the event is organized by NZ Winegrowers and covers more than just viticulture. Marketing and winemaking are now dovetailed nicely into the programme of events.
The Bragato conference is a major source of providing information back to NZW members on research currently being undertaken, as well as providing a platform to discuss what is happening in the world of wine both within and outside New Zealand.
This year’s conference is no different. Guest speakers from as far afield as the UK, South Africa, America and France will join an array of New Zealand industry personnel to deliver an information packed two and a half days.
Among the many presenters will be Philip Poole, Chief Marketing Officer for Whittakers, Michael Walton, from Nielsen Pacific, Melanie Brown from The New Zealand Cellar in London, Professor Gerhard Pietersen from the University of Pretoria, Bob Campbell MW, and Olivier Yobregat from the French Vine and Wine Institute.
Subjects covered will include; eliminating virus, using social media and online retail to build customers, nitrogen leaching and water management, vector management, innovative branding, latest rootstocks, managing the understory, with a number of sections also looking at the Lifestyle Wines programme
Providing the motivational address will be Vinh Giang, an entrepreneur and magician.
While those attending will have their heads full of the latest information, there is also the chance to relax during the Bragato Dinner. Held on the Thursday night, the winners of the Bragato Wine Award Trophies will be announced, as will the winners of the Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year and the Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year. Well known television personality Mike McRoberts will be the MC for the evening.
While the Bragato conference has been held in Marlborough for the past three years, this year it heads back to Hawke’s Bay and will be held at the Pettigrew Green Arena in Taradale from Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 August.
Registrations are available now at www.bragato.org.nz
Romeo Bragato continues to make his mark on New Zealand’s wine industry, 125 years after he first offered advice on the prospects for viticulture. The Bragato Trust granted a total of $23,000 to seven wine and viticulture students last year, with 45 grants worth $240,000 since the trust was established in 2008.
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