The Covid-19 years were so tough in so many ways, from bubbles and isolations to labour shortages and inexperience, all wrapped within the tension of being separated from the rest of the world.
So having wine workers back in our wine regions - at work and at play - has been a wonderful way to (hopefully) farewell the worst of the pandemic. It's part of the respiratory of the industry - international talent flowing into our remarkable little wine country at the bottom of the world, and young and upcoming Kiwi talent setting off for foreign climes before returning to our wineries wiser for it. I know many felt bereft without the exchange in the Covid years, so it's been a wonderful return to 'normal' amid a vintage that had plenty of challenges.
We have a look at the harvest in this edition, capturing the views of people from around the world. For many the season had two face, with La Niña bringing wet conditions to all but Central Otago, followed by an autumn chaser that saw some winegrowers delight in a lingering second summer. In Central, by contrast, the weather shift saw a wonderful season close with somewhat starting spring-like conditions.
Such vagaries of nature are welcomed by the likes of Anna and Jason Flowerday, who are on this month's cover and profiled as part of a package of stories on organic and biodynamic producers. "The best thing about what we do is that no two vintages are the same," Jason says. "That's what I love about this job even after this long doing it," Anna adds, relishing the accumulation of knowledge. "You think you know everything, then you'll learn something new."
