One of the highlights of the annual four-day event at Hanmer Springs Hotel is the opportunity to think tank specific wines, with attendees invited to bring along problematic batches of Pinot Noir.
Through tastings and discussions, the group considers the best opportunities to get the wine to bottle in a better state.
“This is an amazing learning forum,” says organiser Lynnette Hudson. “No media, only winemakers and viticulturists. An educational open workshop, not to be missed.”
The workshop offers a “room full of diversity”, says committee member Tom Flaherty.
“With people from different places with different practices, levels of experience and viewpoints. All critiquing and conversing in a guards-down, constructive manner, for the betterment of New Zealand Pinot Noir.”
This year’s guest speaker is Dr Amber Parker, a Senior Lecturer in Viticulture and Director of the Centre for Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University.
Amber completed her PhD at Lincoln University in collaboration with Bordeaux Sciences Agro-ISVV-Ecophysiology and Functional Genomics of Grapevines, France, and worked as a scientist in grapevine modelling at Plant & Food Research, before moving to Lincoln University in 2015.
Amber’s research focusses on phenological modelling and understanding environmental drivers of phenology, investigating the effects of source-sink modifications of the grapevine on phenology and asynchrony of fruit composition, and understanding impacts and adaptations for viticulture in the context of climate change. Amber also has a keen interest in developing and implementing precision agriculture techniques in viticulture.
18-21 January 2024
