Viticulture Market Update Recent months have seen demand for vineyards “rise sharply” as wine companies look to secure fruit supply, says the Colliers Marlborough and Central Otago Viticulture Market Update. “Wine companies are looking to secure fruit supply to meet demand driven by very strong wine sales over the past six months,” says the report. The Colliers analysis shows vineyard values stabilised throughout the second half of 2019 and 2020. However, over the past 12 months average vineyard value per planted hectare across all of Marlborough has increased by approximately 18%, despite uncertainty surrounding the impacts of Covid-19. “We understand that this was largely a result of wineries acting to secure sufficient crop for the following seasons.” Wine companies are generally only interested in larger scale vineyards that do not necessarily have housing, whereas smaller vineyards are still largely influenced by the lifestyle market which has also seen significant growth, the report says. “There has been a resurgence of greenfield vineyard developments over recent years with expansion into areas previously deemed unsuitable for vines due to climatic risk, such as the Upper Wairau. There are also further bare land blocks which have been earmarked for vineyard expansion and will be developed over the next couple of years. This expansion demonstrates the confidence within the industry.” The Colliers report notes the limited supply of suitable land, water and capital restrictions will restrain long-term expansion within the region, “and the sector may look to other growing locations and varietals for future growth”.
Research Symposium The Eastern Institute of Technology School of Viticulture and Wine Science will hold its second annual research symposium on September 1. Professor Hirini Matunga from Lincoln University and Professor Paul Kilmartin from Auckland University will be keynote speakers at the symposium, title Advancing Viticulture and Wine Related Research. The event will also consider research themes from viticulture, wine science and technology, wine business and wine tourism. The symposium will be live streamed.
CLASSIFIEDS SMALL VINEYARD WANTED TO LEASE
Any size considered for long established winemaker. Must be within the Wairau Valley
Contact Steve phone or text 027 477 8788 Email: wine@ranuiwines.co.nz
Tackling Climate Change A Sustainability Guardians webinar series is to run throughout June, with four lunch time sessions covering everything from greenhouse gas emission reports to glass circularity, as well as insights into funding options. • June 2, 1pm – Understanding your emissions and strategies to reduce your carbon footprint. • June 9, 1pm – Carbon offsetting – What this involves and how you can become involved. • June 21, 1pm – The benefits of the circularity of glass, decarbonisation and International Wineries for Climate Action. • June 30, 1pm – Green Star rated buildings and accelerating the reduction of carbon emissions through investment funding. nzwine.com/guardians-programme/webinars Winepress June 2022 / 27
