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.