CLIMATE CHANGE CELLAR CHAMPS - Wine Marlborough
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THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF WINE MARLBOROUGH
ISSUE NO. 288 / DECEMBER 2018
LABOUR CLIMATE EARTHQUAKE CELLAR
& SKILLS CHANGE RECOVERY CHAMPS
Photo: Jim Tannock
wine-marlborough.co.nz
KEEP NEW ZEALAND
STINK BUG FREE
Look for
black & white
banding on the
antennae
Look for
black & white
banding on the
sides of the
abdomen
SCALE
The brown marmorated stink bug is a pest that infects
homes, ruins gardens, and stinks when crushed. It could
also destroy our fruit and vegetable industries. It’s not in
New Zealand yet, and we want to keep it that way. If you
see one, don’t kill it. Catch it, take a photo, and call us.
For more information: biosecurity.govt.nz/stinkbug
PEST HOTLINE 0800 80 99 66
10
this issue... 27
REGULARS FEATURES
3 Editorial 16 Labour & Skills
Marlborough is about to get
4 From the Board - Chair’s
Report
smart and connected in its
approach to labour and skills
shortages, with the launch
6 Tasman Crop Met Report
of a programme to tap into
insights and experiences from 26
schools, training organisations,
30 Industry Pioneer - Dr employers and government
agencies.
Rengasamy Balasubramaniam
20 Earthquake Recovery
30 Generation Y-ine - Natalie
Christensen
Two years after the Kaikoura
earthquake, Pernod Ricard’s
Riverlands winery has been
32 Biosecurity Watch - Chilean
Needle Grass
transformed, with catwalks
abolished, telemetric analysis
installed, thicker stainless steel,
deeper concrete and stouter
34 Industry News tanks with sacrificial fuses.
36 26 Cellar Door Competition
ANZ Wine Happenings
A great cellar door requires a 30
great team, says Forrest Wines’
cellar door coordinator Rosie
Broadbridge, following the
company’s win at the Wine
Marlborough Cellar Door of
the Year awards. Cellar Door
Personality of the Year went to
Whitehaven’s Karen Marchant.
Cover:
Read about Dr Rengasamy
Balasubramaniam, winner of Wine
Marlborough’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement
Award, on page 12. Photo Jim Tannock. Winepress December 2018 / 1
HML - the recipe for success.
Bud burst to pre-flowering (10-14 day interval)
First leaf 12 leaf, inflor.
2-3 leaf
Prebud to separated 8-10 leaf Well devel-
Growth stage shoots 2-4cm 4 leaf 6-7 leaf
budburst from shoot single flower oped, single
long
tip flower sep.
EL 1-4 7 9 11 12-14 14-15 15-16 17
Product Rate / 100L
HML Silco 425g powder / 540ml liquid Silco Silco Silco Silco
Sulphur label Sulphur Sulphur Sulphur Sulphur Sulphur
Copper label Copper Copper
Protector 500ml Protector Protector Protector Protector
HML32 1.25L
Seaweed Seaweed
Nutrients label Tr. elements
Magnesium Magnesium
Lime Sulphur 3.5-7% see notes
Pre-flowering to PBC (7-10 day interval)
14 leaf,
16 leaf, beg. 80% - 100% Pea size Pea size
Growth stage cap colour 50% capfall Fruitset-Pea PBC
flowering capfall 4mm 7mm
fading
EL 18 19 23 25-26 27 29 31 32
Product Rate / 100L
HML Silco 425g powder / 540ml liquid Silco Silco Silco Silco Silco Silco Silco
Sulphur label Sulphur Sulphur Sulphur Sulphur Sulphur Sulphur Sulphur
Copper label
Protector 500ml Protector Protector Protector
HML32 1.25L HML32 HML32 HML32 HML32
Seaweed Seaweed
Nutrients label Seaweed Seaweed Seaweed Seaweed Seaweed
Magnesium Magnesium
Post PBC to veraison (10-14 day interval)
Berries still
Growth stage hard and
green
Earwn Veraison Henry Manufacturing
non-residual pesticides
EL 33 34 35 36
Product Rate / 100L
HML Silco 425g powder / 540ml liquid Silco
Sulphur label Sulphur Sulphur
Copper label Copper
Protector 500ml Protector Disclaimer: Henry Manufacturing Limited has prepared this programme to
assist grape growers using its products. Liability whether in tort (including
HML32 1.25L HML32 HML32 HML32
negligence), contract or otherwise, for any loss, crop injury or crop failure,
Nutrients label Seaweed resulting from the application of this spray programme is excluded. Any
user of this spray programme accepts this disclaimer.
1. Lime sulphur only needs to be applied if the previous 6. If the flowering period is longer than 7 days or is wet, botrytis resilience and enhancement maturity. See notes on
season had high powdery mildew infection and/or erinose apply Protector mix to maintain powdery mildew cover. website for accurate timings for white and red grapes.
mites. 7. For a month after Fruitset EL27 (when plant is still 11. All HML products are alkaline. Take care when
2. Recover after rain. susceptible to powdery mildew), cover at 7 day intervals (10 selecting copper and nutrient products to avoid tank mix
3. Applications of copper provides phomopsis and downy day maximum) with HML32 mix alternating with Protector incompatibility and plant damage. Read the label of HML
mildew control. Note that further copper applications may mix. If under pressure, use HML32 mix instead of Protector products.
be required where the downy mildew pressure is high. mix. 12. Magnesium sulphate is in most cases compatible
4. Early applications of HML Silco helps build plant strength 8. The HML32, sulphur and Silco mix prevents and eradicates with the Protector, HML Silco and sulphur mix. Jar test
and crop resilience. powdery mildew. recommended. Not compatible with HML32.
5. HML32 mix at EL18 and EL 25 are important applications 9. Where there is existing powdery mildew infection, 13. If other trace element applications are required, an extra
that brackets flowering. Provides powdery mildew an alternative mix is HML32, copper and HML Potum application round will be required or alternatively drop
prevention and eradication control as well as botrytis (potassium bicarbonate). Protector out of the mix.
control. 10. At EL35-36, the application of HML32 can provide
Contact Chris Henry on: chrishenry@actrix.co.nz or call 06 874 2921 or 027 294 1490 Visit us: www.henrymanufacturing.co.nz
The road to resilience. Without residues. Without toxicity. Without resistance issues. CDec18
2 / Winepress December 2018
From the
General Manager:
Marcus Pickens
03 577 9299
Editor
marcus@wine-marlborough.co.nz
It’s been a little over two years since Marlborough wineries were shaken by the
magnitude 7.8 Kaikoura earthquake, which ripped the state highway in half,
Editor:
crumpled many tanks, and led companies to rethink their winery’s seismic safety.
Sophie Preece
027 308 4455 The industry didn’t cry over spilt wine, thankful instead that the quake struck
sophie@sophiepreece.co.nz just after midnight, so there was damage but not injury.
This month Winepress checks out Pernod Ricard’s Riverlands winery to see
Advertising:
what recovery looks like, with catwalks out and telemetric analysis in, so that
Harriet Wadworth
03 577 9299 the facility is safer and smarter, says Jamie Marfell on page 20. “We are working
harriet@wine-marlborough.co.nz towards a ground level winery.”
Rebuilding tank space is just part of the
post-quake journey, and researchers behind
Wine Marlborough Board:
Ben Ensor
a three-year study funded by the Ministry “We are
ben.lisa@clear.net.nz for Primary Industries’ Earthquake Relief
Fund have recognised transport logistics as working
Callum Linklater
callum@csviticulture.co.nz
an “essential component” to strengthening
the resilience of the wine industry (see pg
towards a
Jack Glover
23). “Transport issues are really going to be
one of the top areas to address,” they say.
ground level
jack.glover@accolade-wines.co.nz
Planning ahead is also key to ensuring winery.”
Nick Entwistle Marlborough’s wine industry has enough
nick@wairauriverwines.co.nz labour and skills to sustain its growth. With Jamie Marfell
85% of Marlborough’s employers flagging job
Simon Bishell
simon@caythorpe.nz
vacancies, and 80% saying they are difficult,
very difficult or impossible to fill, the market is already tight. Wine Marlborough
Stuart Dudley (Deputy Chair) advocacy manager Vance Kerslake, who has released results from a recruitment
stuartd@villamaria.co.nz survey, says the problem is hitting all industries in the region (pg 16). However,
a new cross-sector approach has potential to ensure Marlborough retains and
Tom Trolove (Chair)
trains people in this region, and attracts those from around the country and
tom.trolove@framingham.co.nz
abroad, he says. “Everyone from industry and training organisations, to council
Tracy Johnston and government is keen to do something about it.”
Tracy@dayvinleigh.co.nz On a lighter note, this edition celebrates the success of Forrest Wines,
which won the Wine Marlborough Cellar Door of the Year awards, and of Karen
Jamie Marfell
Marchant of Whitehaven, who won Personality of the Year. They and so many
Jamie.Marfell@pernod-ricard.com
other stellar cellar doors and smiling hosts will help showcase Marlborough this
Beth Forrest summer.
Beth@forrest.co.nz Have a wonderful Christmas, New Year and growing season.
SOPHIE PREECE
Printed by:
Blenheim Print Ltd
03 578 1322
Disclaimer: The views and articles that are
expressed and appear in Winepress are entirely
those of contributors and in no way reflect the
policy of the Marlborough Winegrowers. Any
advice given, implied or suggested should be
considered on its merits, and no responsibility can
be taken for problems arising from the use of such
information.
Winepress December 2018 / 3
Chair’s Report
Marlborough will be the world’s greatest
wine region
TOM TROLOVE
“If you don’t know where you’re going, best contributions from
any road will take you there.” Lyrics the board and team. We
from the song Any Road, by George began by identifying
Harrison. our customers (all Wine
Marlborough members)
OVER THE past 10 years, Marlborough and continued by detailing
wine has come through some our consumers, partners,
incredible challenges, from oversupply stakeholders and citizens.
and earthquakes, to record export We then set a foundation
growth and world-class recognition. by answering three key
However, the global wine industry questions:
does not sit still, and nor should Wine • What is the value
Marlborough. We need to constantly our organisation
evolve and change to meet the creates? (Purpose Photo by Jim Tannock
demands and expectations of our and goals)
members. A new generation of wine • Where do we play and how do what we stand for and what we are
consumers expects our industry to be we win? (Business model and going to achieve.
there and be relevant to them, so we strategy) With this direction set, it was then
must not be complacent. • What priorities do we focus down to the tough task of fleshing out
The board has recognised this, on and how do we maintain the detail - the roadmap that will make
and over the first six months of 2018, momentum? (Measurement and our GIC a reality.
it worked with the Wine Marlborough culture) As a result, the Wine Marlborough
team to develop a three year Strategic Over several days, the group was team has built a work plan that
Plan that provides clarity and challenged to identify and articulate aligns all their efforts around six key
alignment on our purpose, goals, the character, beliefs and purpose of challenges:
business model and top priorities. our organisation. This resulted in our • Protect Marlborough’s wine brand
At the heart of the Strategic Plan ‘Purpose on a Page’ (see page 5) which 0 Directly address rogue behaviour
is the Greatest Imaginable Challenge sets out who we are, why we exist, 0 Protect our members’ rights to
(GIC) - that ‘Marlborough will be the grow, produce, market and sell
world’s greatest wine region’. Every Marlborough wine
good strategy needs an audacious goal, “We need to 0 Ensure members’ views are heard
and this one is within our reach if the loud and clear
organisation, industry and region get constantly 0 Take a leadership role to resolve
on board.
As George Harrison pointed out, evolve and issues impacting on members
• Grow our member engagement
“if you don’t know where you’re going,
any road will take you there”. The
change to 0 Our relationships with member
decision-makers allow us to
Strategic Plan is about pinpointing our meet the influence change more easily
destination and following our road 0 Showcase examples of great
map. To ensure we do both, the board demands and collaboration by our members
worked with the Wine Marlborough
team and Jamie Fitzgerald, of Inspiring expectations of 0 Wine Marlborough team
and board live up to and are
Performance in Wellington, using
three focused workshops to get the
our members.” measured against our character
statements
4 / Winepress December 2018
0 Collaborate with partners so
Marlborough is recognised as a
great place to work, live and play
• Generate sustainable funding
0 Events risks are understood,
and revenue is protected where
possible
0 Profit targets are set for activities
0 User pays activity opportunities
are assessed as part of the
strategy
0 We understand our future
funding options
• Achieve sector-wide clarity on
roles and responsibilities
0 We understand our purpose
and strategy and share that with
others
0 We know where our role crosses
over with other organisations
and when it does not we can
minimise our involvement or say
“no”
0 We carefully define our roles
and responsibilities to help with
clarity
0 Members understand our team’s
roles and responsibilities
Simply put, if we are not standing
up for our beliefs and tackling our
challenges, we are not working on
Wine Marlborough business.
The Wine Marlborough team has
collectively owned the strategy and the
challenges it poses, and I am excited by
the direction we are taking.
If you were at the recent
Marlborough Wine Show Long Lunch
- a celebration of the province’s wine,
people, and industry - you’ll have
0 Our communication with 0 Consistent and clear messages seen the plan in action, at an event
members is specific and relevant are embedded in all of our that supports and grows our member
to that member’s need communications and website engagement and showcases a great
• Relentlessly share the 0 We celebrate and share on-brand Marlborough winegrowing community.
Marlborough wine story behaviour by members That’s just a taste of what’s to come.
0 The Wine Marlborough Ltd • Create and sustain workforce
story is clear and understood availability Wine Marlborough’s Anual Report
by customers, stakeholders and 0 Undertake forecasting and is available online at www.wine-
partners research to inform our thinking marlborough.co.nz
0 The Marlborough wine story and guide our work programmes
(past, present and future) is clear 0 Grow Marlborough’s wine
and understood by customers, industry workforce by
users/consumers, stakeholders, influencing employers, educators,
citizens gatekeepers and governments
Winepress December 2018 / 5
MET REPORT
Unfortunately there was a mix up in last month’s Winepress and instead of on 20 October 2018. The coolest
the October Met Report being included, the August Met Report was repeated. For minimum temperature of 1.2°C was
that reason some of the October summary is included this month. recorded on 13 October 2018.
Table 1: Blenheim Weather Data – October 2018
In five of the six years 2013 to
2018, the October mean temperature
October October 2018 October Period October
has been well above average (2014
2018 compared LTA of LTA 2017
below average). However, in the 11
to LTA
years 2002 to 2012, the mean October
GDD’s for month -Max/Min¹ 118.3 114% 103.7 (1996-2017) 121.1
temperature was never above
GDD’s for month – Mean² 118.4 106% 111.5 (1996-2017) 126.1
Growing Degree Days Total
average.
Jul – Oct 18 – Max/Min 205.8 109% 188.0 (1996-2017) 228.7 Rainfall
Jul - Oct 18 – Mean 252.5 105% 239.7 (1996-2017) 271.0
Blenheim recorded 33.8 mm
Mean Maximum (°C) 19.0 +0.7°C 18.3 (1986-2017) 19.2
rain during October, 57% of the LTA.
Mean Minimum (°C) 8.4 +0.6°C 7.8 (1986-2017) 8.6
Mean Temp (°C) 13.7 +0.6°C 13. (1986-2017) 13.9
However, total rainfall for the first 24
Grass Frosts (
Table 2: Weekly weather data during October 2018 was warmer than average, it was
Mean Max Mean Min Mean Rainfall Sunshine not until December 2017 that the
(°C) (°C) (°C) Deviation (mm) (hours) GDD line started to climb steeply
1st - 7th 18.4 10.1 14.3 (+1.2) 0.0 61.4 with the much warmer than average
8th - 14th 17.3 6.7 12.0 (-1.1) 6.0 57.3 temperatures. The GDD line at the
15th - 21st 20.5 8.1 14.3 (+1.2) 0.0 74.2 start of the 2018-19 growing season
22nd - 28th 20.7 8.8 14.7 (+1.6) 22.4 60.6 from September to November 2018
29th – 31st has been very similar to the GDD line
(3 days) 16.8 8.6 12.7 (-0.4) 5.4 12.6
at the start of the 2017-18 season. The
1st – 31st 19.0 8.4 13.7 (+0.6) 33.8 266.1
mean temperatures in October 2017
October 2018 (+0.7) (+0.6) (57%) (116%)
(13.9°C) and October 2018 (13.7°C)
October LTA
(1986 – 2017) 18.3 7.8 13.1 59.5 229.0 very close, and in November 2017
LTA – Long Term Average (15.1°C) and November 2018 (15.1°C)
they were identical. Therefore the
Table 3: Blenheim Weather Data – November 2018 total GDD in both October and
November November 2018 November Period November November 2017 and 2018 were almost
2018 compared LTA of LTA 2017 the same. At the end of November
to LTA 2018 the GDD line in Figure 1 is only
GDD’s for: slightly lower than the 2017 line. As is
Month - Max/Min¹ 152.3 105% 145.1 (1996-2017) 153.8 normally the case, the 2018-19 GDD
Month – Mean² 155.7 107% 145.9 (1996-2017) 154.9 line has shown the ups and downs
Growing Degree Days Total associated with warm and cool
Jul - Nov 18 – Max/Min 358.1 107% 333.1 (1996-2017) 382.5 weeks typical of spring temperatures
Jul - Nov 18 – Mean 408.2 106% 385.6 (1996-2017) 425.9 in Marlborough and New Zealand.
Mean Maximum (°C) 19.9 = 19.9 (1986-2017) 19.9 The 2013-14 season is the most recent
Mean Minimum (°C) 10.3 +0.9°C 9.4 (1986-2017) 10.3 year to have been fairly consistently
Mean Temp (°C) 15.1 +0.4°C 14.7 (1986-2017) 15.1 warm from September to December.
Grass Frosts (
Table 4: Weekly weather data during November 2018 Sunshine
Mean Max Mean Min Mean Rainfall Sunshine November 2018 recorded 219.4
(°C) (°C) (°C) Deviation (mm) (hours)sunshine hours, 92% of the long-
1st - 7th 20.8 8.8 14.8 (+0.1) 0.6 72.4 term average. Total sunshine for
8th - 14th 19.7 11.5 15.6 (+0.9) 13.8 58.2 the 11 months January to November
15th - 21st 20.7 9.0 14.8 (+0.1) 2.4 63.3
2018 were 2289.6 hours; 102% of the
22nd - 28th 18.6 11.7 15.1 (+0.4) 45.8 13.4
long-term average of 2244.7 hours.
29th – 30th
I am sad to have to report that the
(2 days) 19.3 11.1 15.2 (+0.5) 0.0 12.1
1st – 30th 19.9 10.3 15.1 (+0.4) 62.6 219.4 Blenheim sunshine total of 219.4
Nov 2018 (=) (+0.9) (132%) (92%) hours only ranked 14th in NZ for
Nov LTA sunshine hours during November
(1986 – 2017) 19.9 9.4 14.7 47.3 239.5 2018. New Plymouth was the
LTA – Long Term Average sunniest town in November with
254.4 hours sunshine.
Beyond all belief Invercargill
Figure 1: Normalized growing degree days for Blenheim: days above (+) or
recorded 234.5 hours sunshine in
below (-) the long-term average (1990-2017) for the period 1 September to 31
November, 15.1 hours more than
December
Blenheim.
Blenheim recorded 20.8 hours
more sunshine than Richmond in
October and at the end of October
Richmond was only 2.8 hours ahead
of Blenheim for 2018. However,
Richmond turned the tables in
November and recorded 25.5 hours
more sunshine than Blenheim. At
the end of November Richmond
was 28.3 hours ahead of Blenheim
for 2018. It is unlikely that Blenheim
will be able to overtake Richmond
during December, so it looks like the
sunshine crown will once again go to
Richmond. However, it is safe to say
that there is no fear of Invercargill
recording a higher total than
Figure 2: Blenheim shallow soil moisture (5-35 cm depth) under a mown grass Blenheim in 2018.
surface with no irrigation
Rainfall
Blenheim recorded 62.6 mm
rain during October, 132% of the
LTA. The November rainfall total
is the highest monthly total since
July, which recorded 71.6 mm. Total
rainfall for the 11 months January
to November 2018 was 756.0 mm,
128% of the long-term average of
589.5 mm. In contrast January to
November 2017 recorded 569.8
mm. In 2018 Blenheim exceeded its
annual average rainfall of 636 mm on
8 / Winepress December 201816 September. This was largely due to soil moisture is very short lived, Rainfall from January to March 2018
the very high February rainfall. without further significant rainfall. was 315.4 mm, 245% of the long-term
This is demonstrated in Figure 2 with average of 128.8 mm.
Soil Moisture
the soil moisture line for January
Shallow soil moisture (0 to 35 to March 2018 rapidly rising with Rob Agnew
cm depth) at the Grovetown Park a number of high rainfall events, Plant & Food Research /
weather station on 1 November 2018 followed by a very quick drop in soil Marlborough Research Centre
was 26.5% (Figure 2). Low rainfall moisture following the rain events.
from 1 to 24 November saw the
shallow soil moisture drop to 19%.
Following 44.4 mm rainfall from
Exclusive
the 24th to the 27th November 2018 importers of
the shallow soil moisture quickly
jumped to 33.7% on 28 November.
A similar jump in soil moisture suspension and
liquid fertilisers
occurred from 10 to 14 November
Th e M e t Re p o r t wa s s p o n s o re d by
2016 with 68.6 mm rain. However, as
is always the case in the late spring
and summer, the boost to shallow Vi t i c u l t u r e S u p p l i e s S p e c i a l i s t s 0 80 0 855 2 55
Family Firm
Astrolabe in good hands
ASTROLABE WINES is now 100% middle daughter
Marlborough owned and operated, 22 Libby Levett,
years after Simon and Jane Waghorn along with her
launched their label. husband Peter.
“Our girls have grown up in the Simon
wine industry. It is so exciting to have continues as
them stepping up and committing to winemaker,
our business,” says Jane, with two of Jane as general
her daughters now invested in the manager and
business. “I am enormously proud to Arabella as
have a team of clever, hardworking brand manager,
young women alongside me.” with Libby and
Astrolabe began in 1996, when Peter joining the
Simon decided it was time for a ranks next year.
winemaking project that gave him full Simon says he is
creative control. With the help of two looking forward
friends, the couple started the labour to gathering as a
of love, with their daughters growing family “and the
up embedded in the business. “When next generation
you create a business from scratch, it picking up the
becomes intrinsically linked to your leadership to take
values, your daily life and family,” says us beyond what
Jane. I have imagined.
Now it has been purchased I can then
outright by the Waghorns, their concentrate on
youngest daughter Arabella, and winemaking”. Simon, Jane, Libby and Arabella, from left
Winepress December 2018 / 9Dynamic
Industry
Marlborough’s wine
industry remains nimble
and forward looking, says
new board member
SOPHIE PREECE
JAMIE MARFELL was six years
old when Montana planted its first
vineyards up the Brancott Valley
in 1973, within a stone’s throw of
his family’s Wrekin Rd sheep farm.
Seventeen years later he was a trainee
winemaker with Montana, helping then we produced about 17,000 vine orientation and row spacing, and
produce casks of Blenheimer and tonnes and 70% of it would have been in some cases switching varieties to
Wohnsiedler for the South Island Müller-Thurgau. Sauvignon Blanc ensure the vines are suited to the soil
market. was tiny - less than 1,000 tonnes,” he and microclimate. Trunk disease is just
These days Jamie is group says. After two vintages he transferred one of the challenges in vines that are
winemaker for Pernod Ricard to the company’s Auckland winery, up to 40 years old, and replanting is
Winemakers, having seen many but continued to work vintages in an opportunity to do things smarter.
iterations of the company, growth Marlborough, enjoying the best of both “Brancott Vineyard is a classic
phases of the region and a continued worlds. example - it’s all been east-west and
evolution of its wines and brands. He is In 2002 he returned to his home now its north-south, with closed up
also a new member of the Marlborough town, where only “rats and mice” of row spacing,” says Jamie. “When it
Winegrowers board, bringing 29 Müller-Thurgau and Muscat remained, was planted, land was cheap and row
vintages of experience to the table. “I and became chief winemaker for spacing was based on the size of the
think it is as dynamic now as it has the Stoneleigh brand, which he still tractor. As machinery has become
been this whole journey,” he says of the manages today. The evolution of smaller, so has the row spacing, letting
industry. “It has continued to change, that brand, with its addition of wild us optimise the land.”
and people are changing with it.” ferments, is indicative of the dynamic Innovations continue in the
Jamie had plenty of childhood nature of the industry at large, he says. winery as well, with the 2016 Kaikoura
experiences in the wine industry, at He loves the Wild Valley range, which earthquake (see pg20) opening
school in Fairhall with the kids of has gleaned knowledge from research opportunities for a future proofed
pioneering wine families, and at work around Brancott Estate’s alternative system. Damage to small barrels in the
in vineyards on college holidays. He styles of Sauvignon, including the $80 earthquake led to a hiatus of trials and
went to Lincoln University to do a Chosen Rows, but can offer the wine at research. But with capacity now rebuilt
science degree, and jumped into the a sub-$20 price, attracting a far broader with better technology and tanks, “all
first year of its post-graduate wine and consumer base. that stuff we love doing we are back
viticulture course. He and his flatmate Meanwhile, the industry is into”.
enjoyed wine and considered it a good undergoing another growth phase, The region has travelled a huge
transition, he says. “And it was a bit with plantings in areas far beyond distance since the first vines went in
sexier than working on a sheep farm.” those imagined in 1973. Pernod Ricard within view of Jamie’s family farm, but
He went straight from university Winemakers’ own developments is still at the beginning of its journey, he
to the role at Montana, where there are on existing land, with a rolling says. “That’s the exciting part of it - we’re
was plenty to learn on the job. “Back replanting plan that includes switching still going through an evolution.”
10 / Winepress December 2018A BIOSTIMULANT
FOR WINE GRAPES
Stimplex increases the hormonal activity of plants leading to the following effects:
Budburst With additional trace elements like Boron and Zinc, applying
homogeneity post-harvest allows longer canopy activity leading to good cane
maturity and larger reserves essential for even budburst.
Rachis stretch During inflorescence, it enhances auxin production for stretching
up to 10-13% assuring better berry development and reducing
botrytis risk.
Berry size Applying during cell division from cap
fall to bunch closure can enhance the
size of varieties sensitive to forming
small berries for higher bunch weights.
Biotic stress Maintains physiological activity
resistance despite stress.
Physiological Brings grape maturity forward and
maturity significantly elevates YAN levels.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Advisor
or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
0800 200 600
FAR_08610
www.farmlands.co.nz/stimplex Winepress December 2018 / 11Industry
Pioneer
A scientist for the growers
SOPHIE PREECE
DR RENGASAMY Balasubramaniam meet the demands
(Bala) knows more than most about of a growing
Marlborough vineyards, from soil population.
biology and botrytis control to land At the behest of
conversion and grower liaison. his grandfather, the
His 32-year career in the science “playful” teenager Bala at Delegat’s Faultline wetland. Photo by Jim Tannock
and business of wine has included was sent to a stricter,
developing VineFax and the Botrytis more academic
Model, growing one of the country’s school in the north of the country, with considered temperature, humidity
largest wine companies, and a wooden beds, classes from 6.30am, and phenology, to forecast risk levels.
steadfast dedication to the health and no play to be had. Bala went on to “There was nobody doing any work
of Marlborough’s vines and wine do his Bachelor and Masters degrees, on grape diseases,” he says. “Mike did
industry. focusing on microbiology and plant physiology and I did pathology.” In
That career was seeded far from pathology, and took up work in Sri 1997 he also founded VineFax, (now
the Wairau Plains, in the coconut and Lanka, looking at tea and coconut VineFacts, run by Rob Agnew), which
tea plantations of Sri Lanka. Bala lived diseases, then later managing sales gave growers a weekly update on
on one of his family’s coconut farms and distribution of agrochemicals for climatic conditions, disease risk and
in Chilaw, north of Colombo, until he a Swiss company. Then in 1979, he treatment options.
was four and a half, when he was sent received a scholarship and came to It was an exciting time, because
to boarding school at Trinity College, New Zealand to do his PhD at Lincoln the science was of pragmatic use
Kandy. The school, in the highlands of University. to the industry, says Bala, who’d
Sri Lanka, was close to the tea estates It was there that Bala met his always chased applied research
of his grandfather, who had migrated wife Joanne, who was also doing a rather than blue sky. There was also
from India as a young man to work doctorate. They married in 1985, and a soil health programme, looking
on British tea plantations, and bought a year later moved to Marlborough at various mulches and impacts of
his own after the country gained its for his new role as regional scientist synthetic herbicide and fertiliser on
independence in 1948. at MAF. Back then, Bala and soil microbiology. “If you have a good
Bala would visit his grandfather Mike Trought, another stalwart of healthy soil, the natural tendency is
on weekends and holidays, and a Marlborough’s wine science scene, for the vines to have better defence
love of farming - which began in the focused largely on cherries, the crop mechanisms,” he says.
coastal coconut fields - grew in the of the moment. But the nascent wine Marlborough Winegrowers deputy
verdant highlands. “I had an affinity industry was starting to spread across chair Stuart Dudley, on presenting
with the land,” he says. He was never the valley floors, and Bala knew the the 2018 Wine Marlborough Lifetime
that interested in study at school - “I growth would come with challenges. “I Achievement Award in October, said
just wanted to play” - but Bala clearly saw a great opportunity for research at Bala was the go-to man for a large
recalls the moment, when he was that time, especially in plant diseases, number of people in the world of
around 13 years old, that he decided which is my field. Grapes were viticulture, “and there was hardly
on a career in agriculture. Many of becoming a monoculture and I said, a viticulture seminar in those early
the children at the school had careers ‘there will be a lot of problems coming, days, where Bala did not present
mapped out by their parents, and let’s start working on it’.” vital information that was readily
would become lawyers and doctors, Bala dug into botrytis research absorbed by the industry”. Stuart
says Bala. But he could see huge and developed the Botrytis Infection told the Marlborough Wine Awards
potential in better utilising the land to Model, still in use today, which audience that at forefront of all of his
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Winepress December 2018 / 13endeavours, Bala has been a scientist
for the growers, “providing them with
knowledge and skills to help them
flourish, and Marlborough to grow
as an internationally acclaimed wine
region”.
In 2000, Bala stepped away from
what had become HortResearch and
joined the commercial sector through
Delegat, excited by Jim Delegat’s vision
for the future growth of the company.
That vision was for Oyster Bay to
become an international brand and the
company to become an international
entity. “He said we have to row our
own boat, set our own sail, and live
to our own plan,” says Bala, who
appreciated the challenge.
He was tasked with increasing
grape supply through grower numbers,
and was proactive in tempting farmers
to convert their land to vineyard,
using a financial model that showed
them potential for vastly increased
profitability. Within five years he had
achieved the 10-year target of 1,000
Bala, right, with Mike Trought
hectares of growers. He was also
buying up land for Delegat in that
time, “and we haven’t stopped”, says on the race to the bottom in the market moving forward and you don’t have
Bala, the grower business development place, and turn it around and make it time to reflect.”
manager of what is now one of the a race to the top to sustain the growth He’ll be doing a little more of
country’s biggest wine businesses. “As and long term viability of a vibrant that reflection this month, when he
a company we have grown and we industry”. visits the former tea plantation of his
haven’t looked back. And it is all in While satisfying the business grandfather, which was claimed by
keeping in line with sales projections.” aspect of his “DNA” through Delegat, the Government in 1972 and is now a
These days it is far more Bala continued working for the tourist resort. From the little boy who
challenging to maintain a good level industry at large, as a member of the walked amid the rows of Camellia
of grower hectares, with the bulk New Zealand Society for Viticulture sinensis, growing a passion for plants
wine market tempting many growers, and Oenology (NZSVO) for 21 years and productivity, to the scientist who
who can get the same price for higher and president for 10 of them. In that helped forge and protect Marlborough’s
yields. That comes with the risk of time he was responsible for attracting wine industry, it’s a journey worth
compromised quality, Bala says. “The the 6th International Cool Climate celebrating.
bulk wine market in Marlborough Viticulture and Oenology conference
has grown from 3 to 4%, to in excess to Christchurch in 2006. When he Industry Legends
of 33% and that will keep growing.” stepped down last year, Bala was made Jane Hunter, Ivan Sutherland and
That makes buying fruit harder, and a life member of the NZSVO. Mark Nobilo were announced as
depresses the price consumers are Bala told the Wine Awards New Zealand Winegrowers Fellows
willing to pay for other wine. “Where audience that he was one of the “back for 2018 at the New Zealand Wine
super premium wines used to sell for office guys”, and not at the forefront of the Year Awards awards dinner.
$19 to $22 for Sauvignon Blanc, today of taking Marlborough to the world. Look out for their profiles in
that is commanding only about $15 or But in the weeks since his win he upcoming editions of Winepress,
$16 or less in supermarkets, because has heard from many of the pioneers as part of this new series on
there is a lot of wine available at lower of the Marlborough wine industry, Industry Pioneers.
prices.” Bala says it is important for the helping him to cast his mind back to
industry as a whole to “put the brakes his achievements. “In life you keep
14 / Winepress December 2018STOP
Botrytis in its tracks
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Winepress December 2018 / 15Skill
Seekers
Marlborough’s skills shortage
bites
SOPHIE PREECE Marlborough industries to work together to tackle labour and skills
shortage. Photo Richard Briggs
EIGHTY-FIVE percent of including forestry, aquaculture and get worse, with employment set to
Marlborough’s employers have tourism, and drew responses from grow by 2% across New Zealand by
permanent job vacancies, and 80% 55 employers, with a total of 3,757 2020, but by 3.4% in Marlborough
of them say they are difficult, very employees, across a dozen industries. (From MBIE short term employment
difficult or impossible to fill. Those are Vance says one of the biggest forecast 2017-2020). Vance says
some of the startling numbers in from surprises for him was the number of the challenge is a huge one for the
a cross sector recruitment survey sent employers who said they simply could wine industry and others, but there
out by Wine Marlborough earlier this not fill roles, including 27% who said is an appetite for a cross sector
year, says advocacy manager Vance technical positions remained unfilled. approach to better attract and retain
Kerslake. “Anecdotally, most people “If your company needs one of those staff. “Everyone from industry and
knew we had a shortage of labour and that’s probably quite a key role,” says training organisations, to council and
that it was difficult to recruit roles. But Vance. Three quarters (76%) said one government is keen to do something
I don’t think anyone really understood of their two biggest challenges was not about it.”
how big the problem was. Or that getting applications from people with To see the full survey results
it applies across the board, from the right skills, while 40% had found go to the news page at www.wine-
technical roles to labour.” people with the right skills, without the marlborough.co.nz/
The survey was sent to employers right visa.
in a range of Marlborough industries, The problem is only going to
Smarter Skill Seeking
The Marlborough District Council has launched its ninth other employers who struggle to fill vacancies.
regional Smart+Connected programme to address labour At the first meeting of the project’s establishment
and skills shortages in the region. The initiative will draw group, which included representatives from several
on knowledge, insights and experience from people education and training organisations, as well as employers
involved in labour and skills, including schools, training and Immigration New Zealand representatives, Vance
organisations, employers, and government agencies. released results from the recent recruitment survey
Council strategic planning and economic development (see main story). Eighty-five percent of Marlborough’s
manager Neil Henry says it is about better understanding employers have permanent job vacancies, and 80% of
“who is doing what, what is working and what could them say they are difficult, very difficult or impossible to
be improved”, when it comes to training, retaining and fill, he told the group.
attracting skills and labour in the region. “The process “That’s why I think the Smart + Connected approach
should also identify opportunities for collaboration is such a great opportunity,” he says. “We are all doing
between the many parties involved in labour and skills in something on our own, or think that we needed to do
Marlborough.” something and not quite sure what it should be. Coming
Smart+Connected (S+C) has been used by council for together for collective impact means the whole can be
the past five years to bring together nine industry and more than the sum of its parts.” Business Lab’s Colin
community groups to plan and deliver on co-designed Bass, who facilitates the S+C programme, says the
strategies. Wine Marlborough advocacy manager Vance initiative will look to build on existing projects. “It is about
Kerslake says using it to tackle labour and skills shortages supercharging efforts and being innovative,” he says.
is an exciting development for the wine industry, and for
16 / Winepress December 2018Easter Trading
Chocolate, cruise ships, air shows and cellar doors
WINE MARLBOROUGH is urging stay or eat on Good Friday and Easter applied for, as long as the special event
the wine industry to consider their Sunday. That’s good news for vineyard is not Easter related, such as an Easter
Easter trading situation sooner restaurants, who can serve wine as egg hunt, he says. “But the airshow is a
rather than later. In March 2017, long as people are eating. It’s also good pretty good event to use, and a number
the Marlborough District Council news for guests on Radiance of the of cellar doors and off-licence premises
adopted the government’s Easter Seas, a cruise ship that carries more have used it in the past,” he says.
Sunday Shop Trading Policy, which than 2,000 people, which is scheduled Good Friday is another story,
allows retailers to open on Easter to arrive in Picton at 9am on Sunday and it is likely that the only on-
Sundays. However, the sale of April 21 and depart at 9pm. When it licence special licences approved for
alcohol is governed by the Sale and comes to off-licence premises, such Good Friday and Easter Sunday will
Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, which as cellar doors without restaurants, be for the airshow itself, including
includes rules around the sale and Section 48 allows the sale of wine wineries operating at that event. It’s
supply of alcohol on Good Friday and from premises on Easter Sunday if the a complicated (Easter) business, says
Easter Sunday, and overpowers the wine is made on the premises or from Mike. “Always check the conditions
new policy. produce harvested from the land it’s of your licence and if in doubt contact
Mike Porter, who is secretary on. “This means that most cellar doors council for advice”.
of the council’s district licensing are able to be open on Easter Sunday
committee, says Section 47 of the as of right,” says Mike.
act allows on-licence facilities to sell If that clause doesn’t match the
alcohol to people who are there to circumstances, a special licence can be
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Winepress December 2018 / 17Climate
Change
Mitigation methods compared by
vineyard model
Cyril Tissot in French vines
SOPHIE PREECE
optimum climate change scenario, a comprehensive programme around
Marlborough may be able to tap a pessimistic scenario, and middle climate change. NZWRC development
into a cutting-edge prediction model ground between the two. manager Tracy Benge says that
that assesses adaptation strategies to There’s a wide range of adaptation programme is intended to increase the
mitigate the impact of climate change strategies, from the short term industry’s understanding of climate
on vineyards. French geographer and (including wine making techniques, change, and to develop adaptation and
researcher Dr Cyril Tissot has created a soil, canopy and harvest management, mitigation tools. NIWA is modelling
model that simulates, in the short and and pest and disease control), medium climate change scenarios and
long term, the variance in phenology term (including root stock and site predictions for New Zealand’s wine
and ripening timeframes in vineyards selection, pruning techniques and regions, and the research centre will
due to climate change, taking into planting systems) and long term analyse the impact of those predictions
account agronomic practices. “Climate (grape varieties and irrigation) being on various aspects of viticulture,
change is one of the major challenges considered, he told the group. “We do winemaking and production. A
facing the viticulture sector,” he told not have one solution - we have many dedicated NZWRC webpage has been
industry members at a seminar in solutions of adaptation.” set up to provide information on
Marlborough last month. The model has been developed in climate change studies and seminars,
The research approach has two France, but the next stage of research as well as the regional information
principle objectives, the first of which will see a prototype taken to the United from NIWA.
is to “simulate grapevine phenology Kingdom, Romania, Germany and The research centre also plans
and grape ripening under spatial and Spain, Cyril said. “The objective is to to leverage other climate change
temporal environmental conditions compare adaptation strategies on a programmes, such as the French
and constraints”. The second objective more global stage.” adaptation model, Tracy says. “It’s a
is to “simulate viticultural practices Cyril is also interested in case if not replicating but providing a
and adaptation strategies under collaborating with New Zealand grape similar model in New Zealand.”
various constraints (environmental, growers to assess whether wine areas Companies that would like to be
economical, socio-technical)”. The here could be integrated into the involved, and provide data for the
model runs on a microscale (plot by model. The seminar was run by the model, can contact Tracy at tracy@
plot) and a meso scale (for homogenous New Zealand Winegrowers Research nzwine.com.
wine growing regions), and offers an Centre (NZWRC), which is developing
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OENOBRANDS_AP Thiols_86x253 mm_2018_Sulkem_G_06.indd 1 17/09/2018 11:16Smart
Tanks
Earthquake damaged
winery rebuilt safer
and smarter
SOPHIE PREECE
WHEN PERNOD Ricard Winemakers’ winery in a safer, more innovative workshop on the Riverlands site, and
head office asked about the potential way.” by vintage Crown Sheetmetal had built
for injuries, in the November 2016 As well as being safer, the winery’s the winery half a million litres worth
Kaikoura earthquake, the answer was improved design and telemetry offers of “beautiful tanks”, some of which
clear. “They said, ‘if it had been during more speed and efficiency, helping were finished just days before use, says
the day, would there have been injured ensure juice is in ferment as soon as Jamie. “Everything else has been built
employees?’ And we said ‘quite likely’,” possible after harvest. “It’s still a work subsequent to that.”
says Pernod Ricard group winemaker in progress, but we are focused on a The gleaming visible parts of the
Jamie Marfell. winery of the future,” he says. operation - including new flow plates
Two years on, the company’s Marlborough’s wine industry and elevated hoses that rotate on a
vast Riverlands winery has been was hit hard by the magnitude 7.8 wheel for easy use - tell just a fraction
transformed, with catwalks abolished, Kaikoura earthquake, which struck of the story, with up to 750mm of
telemetric analysis installed, thicker just after midnight on November 14, concrete and reinforcing beneath the
stainless steel, deeper concrete and 2016. The timing meant no winery tanks, and cutting-edge technology
stouter tanks with sacrificial fuses. staff in the region were injured, but within them. The tanks’ stainless steel
“These are all smart tanks,” says Jamie. the earthquake resulted in damage to is far thicker and the seismic anchors
“We are working towards a ground approximately 20% of Marlborough’s are far better, says Jamie.
level winery.” tanks. “We are still working on the finer
Instead of vintage staff poised Following the 2013 Seddon details and developing the level of
above tanks to take measurements, earthquake, Pernod Ricard’s damaged precision we want in the winery, so
they now have pressure transducers tanks had been repaired using a that we have information on volumes
that measure volume and safer design, with bottoms cut off and analysis at our fingertips. We
temperatures, as well as offering and seismic bolts added. These tanks are looking at the next layer of
automated systems for adding withstood the most recent quake, but technology.”
nitrogen. “It’s a new way of working other damaged tanks needed to be
for us. It was a chance to rebuild the replaced. T&D Construction built a
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Winepress December 2018 / 21Insurance
update
Insurance industry shaken by
hurricanes, fires and earthquakes
NEW ZEALAND’S insurance materially increase their
landscape was transformed by the exposure in those regions.”
2016 Kaikoura earthquake, says ICIB The increase in
senior broker Daniel Szegota. “This frequency and severity
was the catalyst for change with a of local weather events
hardening market already on the continues to challenge Tank rebuild following Kaikoura earthquake. Photo Jim
horizon. Local insurers set about the industry, while the Tannock
reviewing their portfolios to return to fire risk around expanded
profitability, reviewing their exposures polystyrene (EPS) is also concerning (non earthquake) premium increases
and imposing significant premium insurers, following large fire losses throughout the remainder of 2018,
increases - with mixed success - to globally, says Dan. “EPS features citing local losses in 2016 and the
high risk business and industries.” He throughout the wine industry to high cost of “global catastrophes” in
says local earthquake pricing has now varying extents. The insurance market 2017. “Insurers that have remediated
stabilised with minimal increases, in this sector is contracting and there their portfolios may start to compete
“however the Natural Disaster Site is a finite amount of capacity amongst again on quality business.” However,
Excess structure and percentage basis local and global insurers for risks he says it is likely, based on previous
are here to stay for the foreseeable where high levels of EPS are present. cycles, that the upward premium
future”. In general, there is still little This lack of capacity, and therefore curve will not be sustained over a long
appetite for high hazard risks or competition, is resulting in significant period “with insured losses over the
growth, Dan says. “High natural premium increases for these risks”. next 6 months determining the actual
catastrophe zones remain under Dan says the insurance market period of premium increases and/or
scrutiny with no insurer willing to will continue to drive for nominal underwriting controls”.
Global matters - Dan Szegota looks at the bigger picture for insurers
After a number of years of profitable underwriting results Emergency Services Act 2017 replaced the Fire Service
and benign claims that encouraged new capital into the Commission with a new organisation, Fire and Emergency
market and drove competition, market conditions took a New Zealand (FENZ), bringing together 40 urban and rural
major hit in 2017. Posting an estimated US$135 billion of fire services. The increased funding requirements of the
insured losses, much of it coming from Atlantic hurricanes, new entity will continue to be met through the collection
2017 rivals 2005 and 2011 as the largest insurance loss of insurance levies. This initially resulted in a 40% increase
year on record. As a result, it was clear that the insurance in the levy charged on material damage policies covering
market would end premium rate reductions, in the short the peril of fire. Complex changes to the way the levy is
term at least. There is clear upward movement in pricing, calculated were proposed to commence from January 1
however these increases have generally been restricted for next year, having already been delayed from an initial
all but the most difficult risks. Insurers and their reinsurers date of July this year. Significant consultation between
are still focused on areas with high natural catastrophe the government and insurance industry representatives
risk, and, naturally, this includes New Zealand. over challenges in interpretation and implementation
of the changes proposed by the legislation has resulted
Fire & Emergency Levy Update in a revocation order. This has further delayed the
Fire service levies collected through contracts of implementation date to July 1 2019.
fire insurance was subject to significant change from 1 Daniel Szegota is a senior broker at ICIB Ltd
July 2017. The Government’s introduction of the Fire and
22 / Winepress December 2018Trucking on
Transport logistics integral to wine
industry post-quake review
TRANSPORT LOGISTICS are an Nick. “Yes,
“essential component” to strengthening those things
the resilience of the wine industry, say are still very
researchers behind a three-year study important but
funded by the Ministry for Primary it’s clear after
Industries’ Earthquake Relief Fund. hearing from the
The outcomes of the study, to be QuayConnect
released in 2020, include identifying members of our advisory group and impact of the earthquake and looking
key vulnerabilities faced by the within the workshops that transport at the wine industry’s responses in
industry and better understanding issues are really going to be one of the the aftermath. Joanna says individual
risks and opportunities to build top areas to address.” companies can start to become more
resilience along the entire value chain, Following the November 2016 self-reliant and prepare for a major
from vineyard and winery operations Kaikoura earthquake, QuayConnect event. “Businesses have to think, if
to the market, both domestic and ensured bulk wine reached Port we’re down to one road, what do we
international, offshore and tourists. Nelson and was shipped to its need to have happen for our supply
Lead researchers Nick Cradock- international or domestic markets, chain to keep functioning? Companies
Henry of Landcare Research, while supplies like glass bottles made are saying they need to work on
and Joanna Fountain of Lincoln it back to Marlborough. Joanna says strategies themselves to address these
University, say the input of transport QuayConnect’s success in maintaining risks because systemic change won’t
company QuayConnect highlighted and increasing freight operations happen quickly.” Nick says the project
the significance of transport issues. immediately after the event “has been team will provide recommendations
“We went into the study thinking, really instructive to how wineries by mid-2020, to help individual
for example, that there will be the can plan ahead and change their companies, industry groups, and local
need for structural fixes, such as behaviours to be better prepared”. and central government prepare for the
creating more robust storage facilities, Following an initial scoping phase, unexpected.
redesigning tanks, having better piping the study is now working with industry
and building infrastructure within the partners, wineries, and grape growers
winery to withstand shaking,” says documenting and analysing the
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Winepress December 2018 / 23You can also read
