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National MP Todd McClay officially opening the inaugural Aotearoa WinePro conference in Blenheim. Photo Richard Briggs
When work shouts you one educational trip a year, why not choose one halfway around the world?
Isabella Pucci-Schaefer, Assistant Winemaker at 21 Brix, a small family winery in Portland, New York, chose WinePro as her educational trip based on the speaker line-up, especially the session on artificial intelligence. “I’m really interested in AI but also am also taking the classes on fining agents and the New Zealand wine industry.”
The inaugural WinePro was held in Blenheim on 26 to 28 June with a major trade expo, packed conference programme, Women in Business breakfast, and Dragon’s Den startup event. Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens called it timely for New Zealand’s wine industry. “There are so many exciting research and agritech developments in the field, in the lab, and on the horizon right now. They are changing the face of our industry, able to improve our emissions, waste, wine quality, and health and safety.”
Speaking on the second day of the event, Marcus said technology and research was helping the wine industry approach the challenges of climate change, labour supply and surging vineyard costs, along with industry ambitions to grow circularity and sustainability. “Seeing industry engage with suppliers, agritech startups, and science providers like Plant & Food Research is exciting, because they are growing solutions to all of those challenges.”
The conference programme – which included everything from electrifying viticulture operations and managing labour challenges to utilising artificial intelligence and improving circularity – was a powerful opportunity to glean insights from experts across an array of wine-pertinent topics, Marcus said. “We have gathered an extraordinary lineup of speakers and it’s been great to see the industry so engaged.”
The event was an opportunity to celebrate New Zealand’s international reputation as a wine producer and cement Marlborough’s place as a hub of technology and innovation, said Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor at the event launch. “WinePro provides an opportunity for suppliers and innovators to come together and learn about the latest developments and discover new ways to grow their business and improve production.”
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