In the late 1970s, Ann Pinckney defied the prevailing view that Central Otago's climate was too extreme for viticulture, establishing its first commercial vines since Jean Désiré Féraud’s first efforts more than a century later.
The route to vintage seldom runs smooth, with the vagaries of nature and market dictating every turn. With a resplendent flowering talled by a gloomy summer, and some supply lines still in surplus, Sophie Preece learns that vintage 2025 will require careful navigation.
What an exciting year lies ahead, kicking off with high impact in mid-February, when we welcome our hosted guests for Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025 in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.
Te Kano Winemaker Dave Sutton looks at an excellent growing season against the pressure of competing land use.
Valli celebrated a quarter century of winemaking this year, with the release of its 25th Anniversary Pinot Noir, made in 2022. Jen Parr, who’s been Winemaker at Valli since 2015, reflects on a year of challenges, rewards and rousing community spirit.
Ed Donaldson is Marketing Manager for Pegasus Bay, which is owned and operated by his family, pioneers of the Canterbury wine region. Ed says it’s been a busy year with lots of travel and reestablishing international connections in a post-Covid world.
Slowing wine sales have impacts beyond growers and wineries. WineWorks Group Chief Executive Peter Crowe looks at some of those consequences.
The Yealands Sauvignon Blanc that won Champion Wine at the 2024 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by Quay Connect, was an “exceptional example” of the wine that put Marlborough on the map, says Chief Judge Stu Marfell.
On her return from Wine Spectator’s 43rd Annual New York Wine Experience, Greywacke Winemaker Richelle Tyney looks back at a busy year.
It's been 51 years since Hermann and Agnes Seifried planted vines in Nelson, establishing what is now the South Island's oldest wine producer. Their son Chris, who has spent his entire life navigating the vagaries of nature, markets and regulations, says excellent 2024 wines are welcome boost in tough times.
As Ata Rangi approaches 45 years of growing wine in Wairarapa, Winemaker Helen Masters explores some of the highs and lows of 2024, including "The Vintage" of the past 30 years.
Kate Radburnd has seen plenty of challenges in the Hawke's Bay wine industry during her 41-year wine career, including the destruction wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle in vintage 2023, and the resilience and recovery of the region in its wake.
Wrights Vineyard & Winery, with its focus on organic practices, sustainability and community, was a finalist in the inaugural New Zealand Qualmark Wine Tourism Award, presented as part of New Zealand Winegrowers' Altogether Unique 2024.
Leon Henson, Vineyard Manager at Batch Winery and Auckland's Young Viticulturist of the Year 2024, looks at the year that was.
This year Kumeu River Winemaker Michael Brajkovich MW was named 2024 Winemakers' Winemaker by the Institute of Masters of Wine, and a 2024 New Zealand Winegrowers Fellow.
Charlotte Read is a committee member for Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025, to be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch from 11-13 February.
Sommit is back
Toast Martinborough
Venita Simcox has come a long way since she tried her first red wine – a 1982 Château Margaux – and hated it.
Wine Business Forum
The Central Dozen isn’t about finding the “shiniest examples” of Central Otago Pinot Noir, says Felton Road Winemaker Blair Walter of a new annual selection programme.
Pyramid Valley had its longest Chardonnay Vintage ever this year, thanks to Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago fruit travelling to the North Canterbury winery.
Marlborough’s 2024 vintage was “a return to form for Marlborough summers”, says Astrolabe General Manager Libby Levett.
Abel flew through its spray programme – quite literally – in the lead up to vintage 2024.
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