Winepress - September 2021

Winepress THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF WINE MARLBOROUGH

ISSUE NO. 321 / SEPTEMBER 2021

PRUNING SHORTFALL

SEASONAL WORKFORCE

WINERY WASTEWATER

FLOOD FOLLOW

Photo: Jim Tannock

wine-marlborough.co.nz

An event dedicated to showcasing New Zealand’s leading wine region.

ENTRIES 30 AUG - 17 SEPT

JUDGING 13 - 15 OCT

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4 12

this issue...

REGULARS

FEATURES

3 4

10 Pruning Shortfall

6 20 24 26 28

Editorial - Sophie Preece

From The Board Gus Altschwager Tasman Crop Met Report Rob Agnew Generation Y-ine Saphal Acharya

12

Biosecurity Watch Sophie Badland Industry News

Cover: Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme worker Ionatana Manu pruning in Marlborough with Thornhill Contracting. Photo by Jim Tannock. See page 11.

14

Wasterwater Workshops A series of field trips in September will showcase the strides in wastewater treatment made by individual Marlborough wine companies.

14 Following the Flood

Wine Happenings

A pruning model developed by Wine Marlborough indicates that between 1,100 and 2,450 hectares of the region’s vineyard won’t be pruned by budburst, threatening a loss in yield and income.

It is “critical” that vineyard operators check on potential flood damage to irrigation systems and frost fans before they need them, says industry members.

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General Manager: Marcus Pickens 03 577 9299 or 021 831 820 marcus@winemarlborough.nz Editor: Sophie Preece 027 308 4455 sophie@sophiepreece.co.nz Advertising and Subscriptions: Sarah Linklater 021 704 733 sarah@winemarlborough.nz Wine Marlborough Board: Anna Laugesen Anna.laugesen@xtra.co.nz Ben Ensor ben@mcdonaldtextiles.co.nz Beth Forrest Beth@forrest.co.nz Callum Linklater callum@csviticulture.co.nz Gus Altschwager gus@akwines.net Jamie Marfell Jamie.Marfell@pernod-ricard.com Kirsty Harkness kirsty@mountbase.co.nz Nick Entwistle nick@wairauriverwines.com Tom Trolove (Chair) tom.trolove@framingham.co.nz Tracy Johnston Tracy@dayvinleigh.co.nz Designed 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.

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From the Editor IT NEVER rains but it pours, and sometimes that idiom is far more literal than others. The floods of mid-July were headache enough for vineyard operators slammed by the full rush of 6,000 cumecs of water, damaging posts, plants, pumps and frost fans, while leaving layers of flood debris and silt. Others received an inundation of water, up to post level in some places, and faced the task of pumping vast pools of water from their blocks.

But it certainly hasn’t stopped there, because stints of heavy rainfall since the floods mean growers - particularly those in the Lower Wairau – were still waterlogged at the time of writing this editorial, despite constant pumping.

Fruition Horticulture consultant Jim Mercer says there were a small number of vineyards with “severe” flood damage, including submerged frost fans, damaged roading and culverts, and posts “literally ripped out” by the force of water. He is also concerned for the operators dealing with continued waterlogged land in areas such as the Lower Wairau, which is holding up necessary vineyard functions, such as mulching prunings and spraying post-pruning fungicides, because they cannot get tractors on site. “At budburst, if it is still saturated, some companies are talking about using helicopters to do budburst spraying.”

This edition has some advice on dealing with the flood event, from checking frost fans and irrigation equipment in the short term, to ensuring more climate resilient operations moving forward. “Despite the tremendous work done on the network of flood protection, we still have individual responsibility to make sure our own irrigation systems are designed as innovatively and robustly as possible,” says SWE operations manager Glen Proffit. “With enough contingency to allow for the ‘shifting goalposts’ that we are experiencing.”

Talking of shifting goalposts, I am writing this editorial in an Alert Level 4 lockdown, as the New Zealand wine industry finds its essential service footing again. Last week I was reading news stories of wine companies considering travel plans under a proposed easing of New Zealand’s bubble, and this week we’ve all been reminded of how quickly things can change in a global pandemic.

On the theme of the pandemic, I met with a group of Samoan seasonal workers last month, as they received their second vaccination in preparation for a journey home, to see families they’ve been apart from for nearly two years. The lockdown has stalled those plans, and I am so sad for these guys. If pruning has been a massive challenge this season, foiled by labour shortages and weather stalls, imagine what it would have looked like without these men, and the thousands of other Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme workers who have stayed to work in New Zealand. The wine industry, and Marlborough’s community in general, owe them an awful lot and it’s been good to hear about growers and contractors going the extra mile to acknowledge their sacrifice.

SOPHIE PREECE

Winepress September 2021 / 3

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From the Board THIS HAS been the most challenging winter season to date and there is still a way to run yet. It is now late August, and pruning should be almost finished, but with the shortage of labour brought on by Covid-19 and related border restrictions, there are still many vineyards yet to be pruned, with spring just around the corner. Many vineyards will go into September and possibly October being cut and stripped, yet patiently awaiting the wrapper.

As I write, we are in New Zealand’s second Alert Level 4 snap lockdown, which is a shock to the system. While New Zealand has had a dream run until now, its anyone’s guess as to how the end of the year may turn out.

For those who don’t know me, this is my first “from the board” piece since joining the Marlborough Winegrowers board last year. Currently, I’m focussed on growing my own small wine business, Altschwager Kenneally wines, and managing our family vineyards at Georges Michel in Marlborough. My background has been in managing larger wineries in the Marlborough region since moving here from South Australia in 2005.

I began work for Wither Hills, and went on to work and manage winemaking and the winery at the Delegat Oyster Bay winery from 2006 to 2016. During this time, I learnt how challenging Marlborough can be during vintage, with unrelenting volume growth. However, I loved every challenge that this exciting region presented, while working with an incredibly focussed and passionate team.

I then joined the flourishing team at Rapaura SpringsSpring Creek Vintners as general manager from 2017 to 2019, which was a fantastic stretch of my scope. For those who can remember, 2017 and 2018 were very challenging vintages, but the fantastic team at Spring Creek Vintners supported me 100% and we all thrived, producing some world-class wines while also improving the systems and infrastructure.

One of my proudest achievements at SCVL was the upgrade and investment we made into the winery wastewater treatment. During this time, the Marlborough District Council’s new Environment Plan had been notified, suddenly creating a lot of uncertainty for the business.

While the new plan was still in its infancy, the team and directors at SCVL decided it would be best to get on the front foot, after the incredibly challenging vintage of 2017.

During vintage all wineries go through their peak performance - be it staff, equipment, systems, infrastructure 4 / Winepress September 2021

“Don’t aim for the bare minimum compliance - aim to be the best and use this to shout from the roof top.”

- and they all must be working at their best. If one part fails, it can bring the whole winery to a halt, which in turn impacts on all the vineyards and growers that sell grapes to that winery. All too often, the one piece of the matrix that fails is the winery wastewater infrastructure or the systems around management of wastewater. This is backed by council records showing only 47% of wineries in Marlborough were fully compliant in the 2020 vintage.

I’d like to challenge all the wineries in Marlborough to improve on this, as it is vitally important to get wastewater management right. Yes, it does cost money, but it is proportional to the amount of grapes you process.

Marlborough wineries can do more; we can do better. Don’t aim for the bare minimum compliance - aim to be the best and use this to shout from the roof top that New Zealand is clean and Marlborough as a place is green.

Numerous wineries are now on a path to improve their systems and wastewater facilities, and the upcoming site visits facilitated by New Zealand Winegrowers and Wine Marlborough (see page 12) are a fantastic initiative, so please get involved. This is a great opportunity to increase your knowledge in the area.

My final advice is, be careful from whom you take advice. There are many companies that claim to be experts in this field, but few can bring all the complex engineering and biological processes together to form a comprehensive plan for your winery. I’ve been lucky to work for two companies that excel in building the best. However, if your budget won’t stretch that far, the best investment you can make is to get the best advice, so over time you can work towards the ultimate solution.

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Election Update

“It’s really fantastic to have skilled and engaged members keen to represent brand Marlborough.”

THERE’S BEEN strong interest in nominations to the Marlborough Winegrowers Board, says Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens in the lead-up to the election. “It’s really fantastic to have skilled and engaged members keen to represent brand Marlborough, and help enhance and protect our unique place in the global wine world.”

The board has five grape grower representatives and five wine company representatives, each serving a threeyear term. Six of those positions are up for election this month (four in the Wine Company category and two in the Grape Grower category).

Nomination forms went out at the end of August and electors – assigned by the vineyard or winery as voterare able to vote from September 15, should there be more nominations than positions available.

It is a challenging and exciting time to be part of the board, grappling with issues around Covid-19, vineyard expansion, labour shortages, water rights, “and bringing

Marcuc Pickens to life our marketing strategy”, says Marcus. “The people who sit around the board table take a step back from their individual organisations to take a broader view of Marlborough’s wine industry, helping build strategy to ensure the ongoing health and success of New Zealand’s largest wine region.”

Key dates include: September 10 Final date to return nomination form to

Wine Marlborough office.

September 15 Electors will receive a ballot paper listing

candidates nominated for election.

September 30 Ballot papers must be returned to the

trustees’ office by midday.

October 1 Notification of results.

November 5 First meeting of new board.

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MET REPORT Table 1: Blenheim Weather Data – August 2021

August August 2021 August

2021 compared LTA

to LTA GDD’s for month - Max/Min¹ 22.2 115% 19.3 GDD’s for month – Mean² 36.2 99% 36.4 Growing Degree Days Total Jul – Aug 21 – Max/Min 42.5 146% 29.2 Jul - Aug 21 – Mean 70.0 115% 60.8 Mean Maximum (°C) 14.0 -0.3°C 14.3 Mean Minimum (°C) 5.0 +1.1°C 3.9 Mean Temp (°C) 9.5 +0.4°C 9.1 Grass Frosts (<= -1.0°C) 11 0.8 more 10.2 Air Frosts (0.0°C) 2 1.6 less 3.6 Sunshine hours 158.8 85% 185.8 Sunshine hours – lowest 129.2 Sunshine hours – highest 235.0 Sunshine hours total – 2021 1635.4 103% 1591.4 Rainfall (mm) 71.2 85% 61.6 Rainfall (mm) – lowest 4.6 Rainfall (mm) – highest 172.1 Rainfall total (mm) -2021 496.2 116% 429.1 Evapotranspiration – mm 48.8 98% 49.6 Windrun (km) 222.9 96% 232.1 Mean soil temp – 10cm 7.4 +0.8°C 6.6 Mean soil temp – 30cm 9.1 +0.5°C 8.6

Period of LTA

August 2020

(1996-2020) (1996-2020)

34.8 52.1

(1996-2020) 45.3 (1996-2020) 78.4 (1986-2020) 15.8 (1986-2020) 4.7 (1986-2020) 10.3 (1986-2020) 6 (1986-2020) 1 (1986-2020) 222.9 1941 2011 (1986-2020) 1681.6 (1986-2020) 49.6 1969 1990 (1986-2020) 269.8 (1996-2020) 60.3 (1996-2020) 207.8 (1986-2020) 7.7 (1986-2020) 9.6

¹GDD’s Max/Min are calculated from absolute daily maximum and minimum temperatures ²GDD’s Mean are calculated from average hourly temperatures

Temperature The mean temperature of 9.5°C was 0.4°C above the long-term average (LTA) temperature for August of 9.1°C. Up until the fourth week of the month, August

Table 2: Weekly weather data during August 2021

was heading for a colder than average mean temperature after the first two weeks recorded slightly below average temperatures and the third week was equal to the LTA mean. However, the seven days from 23 to 29 August all recorded well above average mean temperatures and pushed the overall mean for August up above average.

The night time temperatures over this seven day period were much warmer than average. The final two days of the month were very cold. The daily maximum temperatures on the 30th and 31st August 2021 were 10.5°C and 9.4°C respectively, whereas the LTA daily maximum temperature for August is 14.3°C. In Met Report one year ago I reported that the last two days of August 2020 were very warm and shattered the previous maximum temperature record for August. The 30th and 31st August 2020 recorded daily maximum temperatures of 21.7°C and 23.8°C respectively; (over double the daily maximums on 30th and 31st August 2021). Those two days both exceeded the previous highest August daily maximum temperature on record for Blenheim (1932 to 2020).

Mean Mean Mean Ground Air Rainfall Sunshine Wind-run

Max Min (°C) Dev Frosts Frosts (mm) (hours) (km)

(°C) (°C) 1st - 7th 13.8 3.9 8.9 (-0.2) 1 1 18.8 28.8 165.3 8th - 14th 13.9 3.3 8.6 (-0.5) 4 1 17.2 50.0 234.9 15th - 21st 14.1 4.0 9.1 (=) 4 0 8.8 44.0 263.1 22nd - 28th 15.3 8.2 11.7 (+2.6) 1 0 26.0 31.7 265.1 29th – 31st (3 days) 11.2 6.3 8.8 (-0.3) 1 0 0.4 4.4 201.7

1st – 31st 14.0 5.0 9.5 (+0.4) 11 2 71.2 158.8 222.9 August 2021 (-0.3) (+1.1) (116%) (85%) (96%) August LTA 14.3 3.9 9.1 10.2 3.6 61.6 185.8 232.1 (1986 – 2020) LTA – Long Term Average 6 / Winepress September 2021

Frosts There were 2 air frosts and 11 ground frosts in August 2021.

The coldest air minimum temperature of -1.1°C and ground minimum temperature of -6.8°C were recorded on 4th August. This was the coldest ground frost of winter 2021.

Sunshine August recorded 158.8 hours sunshine, 85% of the LTA. This is the lowest August sunshine total since 2013 (150.2 hours). August 2021 recorded 64.1 hours less sunshine than August 2020, or 2.1 hours less per day. Probably a good thing we were all locked inside for nearly half the month. Total sunshine for Blenheim for the eight months January to August 2021 was 1635.4 hours, or 103% of the LTA of 1591.4 hours.

Rainfall Total rainfall during August of 71.2 mm was 116% of the LTA of 61.6 mm. The highest total since August 2012. Total rainfall for Blenheim for the eight months January to August 2021 was 496.2 mm, or 116% of the LTA of 429.1 mm.

Table 3: Rainfall deficit or surplus January to August, compared to the long-term average Time period

2020

2021

January to April

-137.1 mm

-63.7 mm

May to August

-22.2 mm

+130.8 mm

Total January to August

-159.3 mm

+67.1 mm

Table 3 summarises the rainfall deficit/surplus figures that are displayed in Figure 1; i.e. how far below or above average the rainfall has been. Both 2020 and 2021 recorded rainfall deficits over the period January to April, although well above average rainfall in March 2021 partially alleviated the 2021 deficit. At the end of August 2020 the rainfall deficit was -159.3 mm; i.e. the equivalent of nearly 3 months less rainfall. At the end of August 2021 Blenheim was into a rainfall surplus position, largely as a result of the very high rainfall in July 2021.

Figure 1: Blenheim monthly and cumulative rainfall from January to August 2020 and 2021 compared to the long-term average

Wind Average daily wind run for August 2021 was 222.9 km, with an average wind speed of 9.3 km/hr. The long-term average wind-run for August is 232.1 km.

Winter 2021 Table 4 summarises the main weather parameters over the three winter months of June, July and August for the six years 2016 to 2021 compared to the LTA.

All three winter months in 2021, (June, July, August) recorded well above average mean temperatures. (June 10.3°C was +1.6°C; July 8.8°C was +0.8°C; August 9.5°C was +0.4°C). The mean winter air temperature of 9.5°C was 0.9°C warmer than the LTA. The winter of 2021 is now the second equal warmest winter on record for Blenheim (1932 to 2021), the same mean as in winter 2020. Winter 2013 is the warmest with a mean temperature of 9.6°C. 32 ground frosts were recorded over winter, compared to the LTA of 36.9. The frosts in 2021 were somewhat Winepress September 2021 / 7

Table 4: Summary of winter weather parameters for Blenheim for the six years 2016 to 2021 compared to the long-term average June, July, August Mean air temp (°C) Mean 30 cm soil temp (°C) Number of ground frosts Mean ground frost temp (°C) Total rainfall

LTA 8.6 8.0 36.9 NA 189.2

2016 9.0 8.6 32 -2.8 150.4

2017 9.0 9.5 9.0 30 36 -3.0 146.6

2018 9.3 8.5 36 -2.1 170.6

2019 9.0 9.2 23 -2.8 194.2

2020 9.5 9.2 32 -2.4 144.0

-3.0 290.4

Total sunshine Average daily wind-run (km)

499.2 226.5

537.5 229.6

504.6 195.1

504.8 207.9

529.2 208.9

510.8 194.6

480.5 203.9

unusual in that 16 of the 32 frosts over winter were recorded over the 17 days from 29 June to 15 July. 32 frosts was slightly less than the LTA, but well above 2020 which only recorded 23 ground frosts, the lowest number on record for Blenheim.

As a consequence of warmer than average air temperatures and slightly lower than average number of ground frosts, the mean 30 cm soil temperature over winter was well above the LTA. As previously indicated in Figure 1, rainfall over winter, of 290.4 mm, was 153% of the LTA. This is the seventh highest winter rainfall total on record for Blenheim over the 92 years 1930 to 2021. It was also over double the winter rainfall recorded in 2020. The most recent year to have recorded a higher winter rainfall total was 2010, with 295.6 mm. The highest winter rainfall total (1930-2021) is 309.2 mm, recorded in 2008.

Phenology at the start of the 2021-22 season

2021 9.5

to the fact that August 2021 was not as warm as in 2020.

However, temperatures in early September will also have a strong influence on both the start of budburst and the rate of budburst progression. NIWA’s Climate Outlook at the beginning of September 2021 indicates that most NZ regions can expect a 65% chance of above average, a 30% chance of average and only a 5% chance of below average temperatures over the 3-months September to November 2021. Indications from an early block of Chardonnay in Gisborne, that is part of the Vinefacts phenology monitoring programme, is that although the start of budburst in 2021 was as early as in 2020, budburst progression in late August 2021 has been very slow, due to cooler temperatures than over the same time period in 2020.

Rob Agnew Plant & Food Research / Marlborough Research Centre

Plant & Food Research has monitored grapevine phenology on four blocks of Sauvignon blanc in Marlborough since 2004. As a result of August and September 2020 being very warm, budburst of grapes on these blocks in late September 2020 was very early in comparison to almost all previous years. At the beginning of September 2021 it appears as if budburst in 2021 will not be quite as early as in 2020, due

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Pruning Crisis

“The risk of pruning after budburst is that a percentage of buds will be damaged.”

Guy Lissaman A “SIGNIFICANT AREA” of Marlborough vineyard will not be pruned before budburst, says the chair of the Marlborough Labour Governance Group. Results from two Wine Marlborough surveys, along with forecasts from Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme contractors, indicate that between 1,100 and 2,450 hectares of vineyard will be pruned after budburst, Guy Lissaman told the New Zealand Winegrowers board late last month. “Across this vineyard area there could be a potential loss in yield of between 10% and 30%, resulting in a loss of income of $2500 to $7500 per hectare.”

The pruning shortfall results from the shortage of experienced pruning workers due to Covid-19 border closures, combined with extended periods of wet weather and flooding in some areas. That’s been exacerbated by Alert Level 4 restrictions brought into place from August 18, with additional procedures in place to keep the workforce safe.

Budburst is expected to be two weeks early this year, shrinking the window for pruning during dormancy, says Guy. “The risk of pruning after

SOPHIE PREECE

Photo this page and facing page by Jim Tannock

budburst is that a percentage of buds will be damaged, leading to a loss of shoots and bunches that subsequently grow from these buds, leading to a drop in yield and income.”

The economic loss - following hard on the heels of a very light 2021 vintage, flood damage to some properties, and an expensive pruning season - is likely to fall on a smaller number of growers, he says. “Those that are affected will be feeling it.”

Guy emphasises that vineyard

Plan B – pruning after budburst Guy Lissaman says feedback from viticulturists is that pruning strategies will vary depending on how advanced budburst is and what stage of pruning an individual block is at.

Some points to consider: • Delay pre-cutting as close to wrapping as possible to delay the onset of budburst.

• If blocks have been pre-cut, the stripping of canes and wrapping of canes will become increasingly difficult after budburst, as shoots start to grow and are easily damaged.

• It may be necessary to lay an additional cane to offset any bud damage.

10 / Winepress September 2021

Major economic impact to pruning shortfall

labour contractors are putting in a “huge effort” to complete the winter pruning in trying circumstances. “The New Zealand Ethical Employers group, under Tanya Pouwhare’s leadership, are working hard to help coordinate the labour force to get the best possible outcome.”

Tanya says it has been “incredibly stressful” for that group “to navigate an ever-changing and uncertain labour supply over the last two years”. She says very early start and drawn-out

• If no pruning has been done on a cane-pruned block, then reverting to spur pruning could be an option using a mechanical barrel pre-pruner followed by hand spur pruning.

• Have realistic expectations and be flexible in your approach to get the best possible outcome.

Monitor your situation closely: • Confirm with your vineyard labour contractor when you can realistically get your pruning completed.

• As each situation will be different, seek advice from your wine company and viticulturist about pruning options.

• Revise your pruning strategy in conjunction with your vineyard contractor.

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cutting season isn’t sustainable “for our people, the plants, or our industry”. The Ethical Employers group, alongside New Zealand Winegrowers and other horticulture sectors, is working closely with Government ministries “on solutions to the Covid created labour supply issues”.

The estimates were developed following two surveys by Wine Marlborough, and a model developed by advocacy manager Nicci Armour.

She says they wanted to “ground truth”

reports from growers and contractors, so sent out the first survey in July. “We opened it on a Monday and by the next day we had 85 responses and they covered nearly 11,000ha of vineyard area.”

A second survey in August added to the picture, including comments such as, “stress has been a real issue this season, not only on me but my chosen contractor and staff”.

Responses also noted the delay of other vineyard tasks, “potentially

Covidstranded SOPHIE PREECE

WHEN IONATANA Manu left Samoa in the summer of 2019, his daughter was three years old and his wife was pregnant with their second child. The plan was for a summer’s work in Marlborough vineyards, before returning to his young family in Apia, stocked with savings from the season.

Twenty-two months, two gruelling winters, and one border-shutting pandemic later, Ionatana was set to fly home in late August, more than ready to see his wife Sophie and five-year-old daughter Ruby, and to meet his baby son Joseph in person, rather than by phone. “I miss the kids,” he told me after receiving his second Covid-19 vaccine. “It’s time to go back home… I can’t wait.”

But a month on, he and 11 of his Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme Samoan crew, all working with Thornhill Contracting in Marlborough, are still waiting, with their flight cancelled due to the latest Covid outbreak and lockdown.

Fasimalo Palakoki -who’d been pruning icy vines at 7am before his second vaccination and our conversation - was happy to be heading home to see his four children, aged nine and under. Like Ionatana, he’s saved a lot of money over the past 22 months, and has plans to buy a new car and build a new house when he gets back to Samoa. He talked of catching up with family and fishing, but the flight cancellation means he’s still pruning Marlborough vineyards, and wondering when he’ll have another chance to go home.

“They’re very disappointed,” says Alistair Mitchell, Thornhill Contracting’s South Island manager. The

congesting the next stage of the season”.

The industry is seeing the impacts of multiple pressures, including its own growth, says Nicci. “Given Marlborough’s tight labour market, this new model can help us understand how close to the line we are in terms of labour supply and demand, and the impact of other confounding issues like a flood and border restrictions.

Having a tool like this is valuable, even when we are not in crisis.”

“I miss the kids…

I can’t wait.”

Ionatana Manu decision to return home, with no assurance they’d be able to come back and work in the future, was a big one, he says. “So they’re struggling a bit now.”

The Covid-19 pandemic saw thousands of summer RSE workers stranded in New Zealand last year, unable to return to their home nations. Some have returned on repatriation flights, but many have opted to stay because jobs are scarce in the Pacific Islands, and New Zealand’s border closures risked their ability to return for the following season.

With the long-stay teams tired and less productive, with an increase in absenteeism, and the fresh crews illexperienced with vines, he’s found himself a few weeks behind his pruning schedule. That’s been exacerbated by a terrible weather window, with more than double the 3.5 rain days they stalled for last season. They’ll get through, but he’s looking forward to a more typical 2022 season.

Alistair says Thornhill’s pastoral care team has worked hard to keep spirits up among workers, including making travel concessions for workers who want time off to visit family in other parts of the country. “We have actively encouraged the boys to join local sports teams, with players in both Awatere and Moutere rugby clubs, plus two Thornhill volleyball teams in the mid-week competition at Stadium 2000,” says Alistair. They also took the Fijian workers to Dunedin to watch the rugby between Fiji and the All Blacks. “Each cultural group reacts differently and we have worked differently to keep them motivated,” he says. “Put yourself in their position and how would you react? We know it has been tough on them.”

Winepress September 2021 / 11

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Water Watch

Spring Creek Vintners uses a bioreactor in its wastewater process.

Tapping into wastewater successes SOPHIE PREECE

SEVERAL MARLBOROUGH wine companies will share their wastewater learnings throughout September, with a series of Thursday afternoon field trips. New Zealand Winegrowers Sustainability Guardians coordinator Bridget Ennals says the weekly winery visits are about “peer to peer” learning, so the environmental strides made by some can be utilised by others. “The idea behind it is that we can improve best practice standards collaboratively, taking them to a new level of sustainability.”

The visits are intended to cover a range of scale and situation scenarios, from large player Delegat Estate to the far smaller Lawson’s Dry Hills, and from the bioreactor used at Spring Creek Vintners to a new facility at Marlborough Vintners, “that’s using worms to take out all the nasties”, says Bridget. “It would be great if we could all build on the information we already have,” she adds. “And what better place to start than here at home, where so many great things are happening?”

Wineries that discharge to land face many of the same challenges, including mitigating long-term effects on soil, particularly as companies work to reduce water use, thereby increasing the intensity of the wastewater, says Bridget.

“We tend to have a higher salt and potassium content in the wastewater coming out of wineries, so what is the

long-term effect of that on soils?” Solutions could include finding plants that soak up a lot of the elements discharged, and she’s hoping the Sustainability Guardians can add to the “big picture” through tapping into industry knowledge.

“They’re the sort of things we need to be looking at, because by working together on similar issues, it is easier to find a pathway for solutions.”

Wine Marlborough advocacy manager Nicci Armour says many wine companies are stretched, and it can be difficult to look beyond their business for solutions. “But it really does resonate with members, being able to learn from each other.”

For more information on the Thursday afternoon fieldtrips, go to nzwine.com/members/events/workshops/ winery-wastewater-visits/

Water Watch Wine Marlborough and the Marlborough District Council plan to hold a wastewater compliance seminar in November, following the October release of the council’s 2021 vintage wastewater and grape marc report. In 2020, nearly half the Marlborough wineries monitored by council were fully compliant with their waste discharge conditions, with 47% given a green light rating. Another 21% of wineries (eight of the 38 monitored) were rated technically non-compliant, which meant the breach (such as a failure to keep records) caused minor or no adverse environmental effects. Of the nine wineries rated non-compliant with one condition or rule, and the three wineries non-compliant with two or more conditions or rules, the main areas at issue were pH parameters exceeded, discharge within Soil Sensitive Areas, ponding, and wastewater or soil sampling results exceeding parameters.

12 / Winepress September 2021

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Flood Proofing Creating more resilient irrigation systems

SWE in the vineyards. Photo Richard Briggs

IT IS “critical” that vineyard operators check on flood damage to irrigation systems before November, says SWE operations manager Glen Proffit. “You don’t want to get to the point that it’s needed and find there’s a problem.”

In the longer term, Marlborough growers need to think about how infrastructure is positioned, “especially in low-lying areas”, says the irrigation expert following a mid-July flood event. “One simplistic example is positioning decoders and electronic componentry up higher, and with appropriate barrier protection.”

Growers and wine companies also need to plan with more contingency in mind, given that the Wairau River flows hit a record 6,000 cubic metres per second (cumecs) in the flood, which is more than earlier modelling considered likely. “Despite the tremendous work done on the network of flood protection, we still have individual responsibility to make sure our own irrigation systems are designed as innovatively and robustly as possible,” says Glen. “With

enough contingency to allow for the ‘shifting goalposts’ that we are experiencing.”

SWE managing director Stephen Leitch (see facing page) says growers are likely to only get insurance once for these sorts of events, “so thinking ahead is vital”.

A relatively small number of vineyards were affected badly in terms of irrigation infrastructure, and most of those were in locations where water entered around the flood protection, Glen says. “One vineyard we know, for example, suffered significant damage - from pumping infrastructure to electrical and control systems - because the river made ingress further up the valley and was directed through the vineyard from one end to the other.”

Many more were affected to a lesser degree, with debris caught on the dripline for example, or the numerous vineyards that had Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and decoders submerged. “Where they ended up underwater, this electronic equipment then had to be removed and

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If your doctor told you that without better shoes you were likely to experience back pain and then a hip replacement, you’d follow instructions.

That’s the analogy used by SWE managing director Stephen Leitch when talking about the need for “climate resilience” on vineyards, with 99% of the world’s climate experts warning that climate change is a reality. “We’ve got experts telling us we need the equivalent of new shoes and insoles for our vineyards, to avoid more invasive intervention - so what are we going to do about it? Wait till we need the surgery, or buy the shoes?”

SWE, an irrigation and water engineering consultancy, became Toitū carbonzero certified in 2017, and continues to measure, reduce, mitigate and offset its carbon emissions. “For us the carbonzero process gives us independent verification that our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint are working,” says Stephen.

“We view our offsets as a penalty we pay for anything we can’t reduce sufficiently.” The company goal is to have reduced carbon emissions by 80%, from its base level, by 2030. “We’re on track so far, and we’ve already learned a lot about what works, and what doesn’t.”

In the wake of the mid-July floods in Marlborough (see main story), Stephen says there are “simple steps” the wine industry can take to add in extra layers of system resilience. “You’re likely to only get insurance the once for these sorts of events, so thinking ahead is vital. It’s things like positioning infrastructure higher up - either in less low-lying locations, or higher up at low-lying locations, for example elevated on poles”.

As well as dealing with ‘too much’ water, the industry needs to prepare for ‘not enough’, with droughts and periods of peak demand flagged in climate change modelling for the region, he says.

“Decreasing our reliance on free-flowing water and increasing water storage solutions is critical for us in Marlborough.”

It’s all about building “smarter” systems using newer technologies and evolved best practice, Stephen says. “This might necessitate some higherlevel thinking before changing land features - like re-coursing streams - and making sure water has safe pathways to flow. With existing systems, it’s about auditing what you have got, assessing how fit-forpurpose it is, and potentially looking at what you need to do to fix the issues before you are forced to.”

It’s “not all doom and gloom”, he adds. “There are huge opportunities for us in Marlborough to be innovators and trailblazers here. We can perform and compete, smarter and better, with less.”

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“You don’t want to get to the point that it’s needed and find there’s a problem.”

Glen Proffit dried out, where possible, or replaced,” says Glen. Potential failures also carry the risk of further damage to the base units that drive the system, at a far greater cost than individual RTUs, he adds. “At the end of the process, units may be able to operate, but have a decreased life expectancy depending on how they fared in the flood. This comes at no small cost for vineyards.”

A number of pumping components also ended up inundated with floodwater, with motors badly affected.

Water intrusion when the system is idle may mean the motor is recoverable when it is dried out through a controlled “baking” process, but some have not been salvageable, says Glen. “Pumps come at a cost of between $10,000 to $50,000, but happily most have been able to be repaired.”

In the short term, operators should check components thoroughly. “If any electrical junctions or control elements have been submerged, then be cautious in your approach to

Glen Proffit, Photo Richard Briggs

starting your system,” he says. With Covid-19 slowing supply lines, it is “so much better to know now in advance and get it rectified, than have to respond reactively later”.

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Flooded Frost Fans

“Those ones we know about will be sorted and well and truly back and running by frost season.”

In known flood zones, growers can A Marlborough frost fan expert is urging put frost fans on raised concrete vineyard owners to check for flood damage foundations. before it’s too late.

New Zealand Frost Fans Marlborough Service Centre manager Andy McCallum dealt with several large companies after the July flood event, with 15 water or siltimpacted frost fans on his books by early August. That’s a tiny portion of the frost fans the company services in the region, but he suspects there are plenty more that should be checked. of the fuel cap. “If it Andy says the majority of the machines he has seen did, there’s a very good could be dealt with in situ, although three had silt in the chance that it might fuel tank, so had to be dismantled for tank flushing in look okay, but not be town. “Those ones we know about will be sorted and well okay,” he says. “If they and truly back and running by frost season,” he says. But can see any concerning marks with water depth, then he’s concerned that some smaller growers have a “false definitely get in touch.” sense of security” about the event, believing a full tank of If it looks like the water did not get to the fuel cap diesel will mean no water can get in. “But because water height, operators should run the machine for at least is heavier than diesel, the water is dropping to the bottom 10 minutes, to be sure, he says. “They might run okay of the tank and forcing the diesel out,” he says. “They can’t initially, but if there’s a problem, after a few minutes they see that damage.” will cough and splutter with contaminated fuel.” If in Andy suggests that growers and viticulturists first doubt call a technician, says Andy, warning that running assess which frost fans could have been in the flood zone it will suck any contaminated fuel up and into the fuel and then whether the water could have reached the height system, “and that is more problems to fix”.

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Foodstuffs Q+A WHILE THE New World Wine Awards judges were tasting and evaluating entries in Blenheim in July, Wine Marlborough asked the Foodstuffs management team to meet with industry members.

Foodstuffs North Island head of deli, bakery, chilled, beverages & liquor Chris Anderson recaps some of the topics of the Q&A. For smaller producers without brand reps, what sort of interaction with stores and buyers is most useful?

While it’s not essential to have a traditional sales rep, brand ambassador style interactions are useful to educate our liquor managers about your products. Include information about the wine, its unique attributes, and even insight on how it’s being received by customers or responding to current consumer trends.

How can individual brands do more in store to make themselves seen?

Brands can stand out on the shelf by adding value for customers through differentiation such as distinctive branding and labelling, through innovative products or packaging, and premiumisation.

How has the pandemic changed consumer shopping in the wine aisle?

Interestingly, we have seen growth at both ends of the category - ‘value for money’ and ‘premium’. Many shoppers are looking to treat themselves with aspirational options while staying in or entertaining at home, while others are

guided by our shopper insights and consumer trends more than ever before.

In the wine category, recent examples include seeking products that respond to growing interest in sparkling, Rosé, low and no alcohol and organic wines. We think sustainability – whether it is around carbon reduction, water use or recyclability, will be another area of growing interest and opportunity in future.

Are you seeing more of a trend to “safe” buys - known brands, varieties and less experimentation?

Not really. Shopper insights specific to New World, via dunnhumby, tell us there are many wine shopper types: some with a single repertoire of shopping by variety or price point, and others who are more experimental across varieties, brands and promotions, or for certain occasions.

So, while the well-known brands continue to attract strong sales, consumers are increasingly open to experimentation.

The advent of so many new beverage options in the past couple of years also means some consumers are actively looking for something new in the wine aisle.

“We think around 20 to 30% of customers now look online first – even if they complete their shop in store.”

Chris Anderson seeking lower-priced options to fit within their budget.

With the continued rise in online shopping, it’s even more important to have up to date and easy to navigate information available on our sites, and yours. We think around 20 to 30% of customers now look online first – even if they complete their shop in store.

How have your buying strategies changed?

Foodstuffs is focussed on becoming one of the most customer-driven retailers in the world – so our conversations start with the customer and what matters to them. Our buying strategy decisions are therefore being

18 / Winepress September 2021

Are wine brands putting more investment into retail promotions, such as neck tags and giveaways?

Promotional investments we see work well are credible award medals that can give shoppers added confidence in your product, the ‘word of mouth’ power of social media in building engaged brand followers, and standout labelling and branding. Millennials and Gen Z ‘shop with their eyes’ – looking at labels and easily identifiable brand attributes, rather than winery or region.

We sometimes see success with neck tags, but it’s not the most impactful and may become detrimental as shoppers now are more mindful of additional packaging.

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Our dunnhumby insights are accessible to suppliers wanting to consider their sales and promotional approaches, and we run through how to do this in our Supplier Connect series.

What is the growth within the low-alcohol segment?

Growth has skyrocketed, particularly since the pandemic.

In the first six months of 2021, Foodstuffs North Island sold as much 0% wine as we did in the whole of 2020, and it will be an interesting one to watch as we head into the warmer months and holidays. Recognising the growing demand and range available, New World stores are creating ‘Zero Zones’ within the alcohol department, where consumers can easily find and explore the store’s full range of 0% alcohol products. We also incorporated ‘zero alcohol’ classes into the New World Wine Awards entry options for the first time this year and will soon announce several recommended wines for customers.

How will the current supply constraints from New Zealand wineries affect the retail market in the next 12 months?

We aren’t seeing any significant impacts on local retail supply to our supermarkets. However, the current global shipping challenges impacting imported brands could be seen as an opportunity for local wines, including emerging varieties, to grow their presence in store and preference with shoppers.

Swirl, sip, spit The New World Wine Awards provide an excellent opportunity for associate wine judges to learn the paces, says competition director Rachel Touhey. Judging was held in Blenheim in July, with two Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) students swirling, sniffing, sipping and spitting alongside some of the country’s top palates.

Wine student Finn Horsfield (pictured centre) joined fellow NMIT scholarship recipient Ava Liang as an associate judge, as well as 2020 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year Peter Russell, who won the wine judging section of the national final of that competition. “It is way more lighthearted than I thought it would be,” says Finn in a break from the judging. “I tasted through the wines a bit faster than I thought I could and had a lot of time to go back and re-taste.”

Full results will be announced in October.

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Generation Y-ine Walking the talk of workplace mental health SOPHIE PREECE Saphal Acharya uses photography to discuss mental health

SAPHAL ACHARYA’S grandmother told him that sometimes a “small help” can make a person’s life easier.

“And that’s what I believe,” says the laboratory technician at Giesen Group in Marlborough, who has spent the past three years focussed on boosting the mental health of everyone he works with. It’s about making sure everyone is safe, he says. “And at the end of the day, we will all be able to go home happy.”

Saphal has launched an array of initiatives as the health and safety representative at Giesen, including staff videos to the theme of Friends, a ‘Park Day’ focussed on mental health, photo diaries on the theme of wellness, and the introduction of ‘walk and talk’ at the winery. The success of those projects has seen him selected as a finalist in the Employee of the Year category of the inaugural New Zealand HeadFit Awards, recognising an individual staff member who has “gone above and beyond” to help improve mental health within the workplace.

“Saphal has consistently used his skills in media to promote, educate, and inspire those around him to look after their mental health,” said Giesen Group senior health and safety advisor Amy Richards in the awards entry. “His

“In such situations, you need to step up, encourage them to calm down, listen to them and help if you can.” passion to support those around him and to encourage to support others deserves recognition.”

Saphal grew up in Pokhara, Nepal, a city he describes as rich in culture and nature, with a strong family focus.

He was a radio presenter in the lakeside city at the foot of the Himalayas, on a show named Naya Jivan, meaning ‘new life’. “The talk show worked with rehabilitated youth, and became a turning point in my radio career,” he says.

“The main idea of the project was to spread awareness of drug abuse by sharing the confession story of a recovered individual.” Saphal was 16 years old and the subject was complex for him to understand. “Drug addiction among

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youth was a big problem, but talking about drugs was not that common. Despite all this, I tried my best to spread awareness.” The show became a good platform to share stories and reconnect families, he says. “Since then, I have been interested in helping people and understanding their emotions.”

each year, stretching his creative talents, getting to know the people he works with better, and helping forge a united front.

Saphal also took part in the Mental Health Awareness Week photo challenge, as well as an internal Giesen photo competition, taking daily photos and linking them to mental

“One day everything will be fine again, and I’ll be able to see my family.”

In 2014, aged 20, Saphal moved to Marlborough to study at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, and in 2016 completed his course and joined Giesen as a cellar hand. After two years in the cellar, Saphal moved to the laboratory, and in 2019 took on the health and safety role in the company, alongside his full-time lab role. Saphal always wanted to be a “people person” and saw the role as an opportunity to spend more time with employees from around the world, and to offer help where he could.

That saw him attend the Safe Skills Conference in 2019, where he was intrigued by a session on mental health in the workplace. “Often your colleague, friends or family might feel low - a dark state of mind, fear, anxiety and monotonous life,” he says. “In such situations, you need to step up, encourage them to calm down, listen to them and help if you can.” He returned to work excited about instigating workplace wellbeing programmes at Giesen.

Recognising that vintage and winter were the most pressured times in the winery, including for international cellar hands far from home, Saphal began with a staff introduction video to showcase a sense of belonging and inclusivity at Giesen. The videos proved a double win, offering a warm welcome to incoming people, while nurturing a more inclusive culture for those already there.

He started small in 2018, “and I realised we all became one team; it brought us all together”. He has grown the initiative

health, and instigated Park Day, to celebrate and explore the Mental Health Foundation’s five themes of wellbeing. Saphal quite literally walks the talk of workplace wellness, having also kicked off a ‘walk and talk’ initiative, where he keeps an eye on staff and touches base if they seem down. “If I notice someone not feeling well, I check on them,” he says, describing how he might then go for a stroll around the block with them, or find someone else for them to connect with.

He knows just how hard it can be to keep mentally well through tough times, having spent two days trying to get hold of his family following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015, a year after he’d left home. It was difficult juggling knowledge of the devastating earthquake with his obligations to work and study, but he was raised to “keep his brain healthy and keep moving forward with a positive attitude”, he says. “That’s how I was taught and how I try to keep happy all the time.”

Now closed borders are another added stress on the wellbeing of Saphal and many others in Marlborough’s wine industry with family and friends abroad. But he works to look to the positive side each day. “My aim is not to have bad feelings and to reframe things in a positive way,” he says.

“One day everything will be fine again, and I’ll be able to see my family.”

Mental Health Awareness Week is September 27 to October 3.

Winepress September 2021 / 21

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Levy Vote 2021 Have your say SARAH WILSON

THIS COMING October, growers and wineries will be asked to cast their votes on the future of the grape and wine levies which fund New Zealand Winegrowers. The dates have been postponed from September to October – more information is available below.

What am I being asked to vote on?

There are two votes being held simultaneously – one on the grape levy and another on the wine levy. Some New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) members will be eligible to vote for one levy, and others will be eligible to vote in both.

The key levy parameters will be the same or similar to those which members have been familiar with over the past five years. This means it is proposed that: • Separate levies on grapes and wine are retained.

• The basis of the levies (volume for wine and value for grapes) remains unchanged.

• There is no change to the maximum levy rates allowed – these rates are above the current rates that are actually payable by members.

• The levy rates will be set annually by the NZW board.

• A maximum payment for large levy payers is retained, as is the fact there is no minimum payment by any member.

The board is considering whether to increase the wine levy cap (ie the maximum payable under the wine levy) from 20 million litres to 24 million litres. A final decision will be made by the board on September 23.

Why was the vote delayed?

The vote was originally scheduled for September. Following a consultation period on the proposal to increase the wine levy cap, the board received feedback from a number of members. The board concluded that additional time was required to respond to the issues raised in some of that feedback and to discuss the proposal with members who had questions.

How will the vote work?

Voting will open on Monday October 18, at 10am, and will run for three weeks (closing on Friday November 5, at 12pm).

The timeframe for approval of a new levy order means this is the latest time the vote can be held.

As with the referendum held in October 2015, this referendum will primarily be held electronically and administered by Electionz.com, an independent organisation. Your voting forms will come from Electionz. com rather than from NZW, so keep an eye out for these in your inbox.

To get a positive result in the grape levy referendum requires that, of those members who vote, 50% by number and 50% by value of levy payment must vote in favour of the levy. For wine, the requirement is 60% by number and 60% by volume of product sold voting in favour.

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What happens after the vote?

If the industry votes to renew the levy orders, NZW will apply to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for a further levy order. This will take effect on July 1, 2022 for a further six years. Following industry feedback, the board decided to review the structure of the levy orders more broadly, given the time that has passed since the last levy orders were set and the changes that have taken place in the industry since then. This process will not be able to be completed before the levy vote, as it will require comprehensive consultation with members. The board has agreed to consider the scope and timeframe for any review at its strategic planning meeting in October.

If the industry votes not to renew the levy orders, then steps will need to be taken to wind up NZW as the current industry organisation.

Questions and feedback

If you have any questions or feedback regarding the referendum and its process please email advocacy@nzwine.com You can also contact NZW CEO Philip Gregan on 021 964 564 The referendum webpage is also updated regularly: nzwine.com/members/advocacy/levies-excise/levyvote/ Sarah Wilson is general manager advocacy and general counsel at NZW

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Winepress September 2021 / 23

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Biosecurity Watch High risk season for brown marmorated stink bug SOPHIE BADLAND

SEPTEMBER HERALDS the start of the brown marmorated stink bug high risk season, as temperatures begin to cool in the northern hemisphere and they start looking for sheltered overwintering aggregation spots.

Shipping containers, vehicles and machinery are favourites, but they also invade houses and warehouses and crawl into personal effects. This means New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) members need to be vigilant when importing anything from a brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) risk country, and check items and packaging thoroughly when they arrive to ensure they are free from BMSB. BMSB Updates Recently, a BMSB Symposium was held in Hawke’s Bay, bringing together research scientists, biosecurity specialists, Government representatives, international experts and growers to discuss New Zealand’s readiness for this most unwanted pest. It was evident that a lot of work has been done in the past five years to improve biosecurity readiness for BMSB, and much is still ongoing. Some of the highlights are summarised below: • The BMSB Council, established in 2017, has now completed several readiness projects. These include a literature review of BMSB biology and behaviour; modelling of how BMSB is expected to behave should it arrive in New Zealand; obtaining

pre-emptive approval for the release of biological control agent Trissolcus japonicus (the samurai wasp) for use in a response; operational specifications for a response; and permits for the emergency use of chemicals containing bifenthrin, known to be the most effective insecticide against BMSB. The council is continuing with an annual work plan which currently includes finalising a samurai wasp release plan, finding suitable facilities to rear and supply the wasps, testing the operational specifications, work on insect growth regulators as alternative chemical control options, and planning for long-term management of BMSB in New Zealand should eradication become unfeasible.

• In an update on the situation in the United States, Tracey Leskey, a research scientist with the US Department

BMSB feeding on grape berries

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Call MPI biosecurity hotline 0800 80 99 66 24 / Winepress September 2021

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of Agriculture, noted another promising biological control agent, entomopathogen Nosema maddoxi. BMSB infected with N.maddoxi have consistently shown shortened lifespans, with reduced fecundity and nymphal survivorship rates. It is unlikely that BMSB will ever be eliminated in the US, so recent research has focussed on integrated pest management strategies. Because BMSB is a landscape level pest, affecting many crop and non-crop hosts in the same environment, areawide intensive management programmes (including trapping, spraying and biological control releases) are being trialled with the first results expected to be released next year.

Further work is planned to look into the biotic and abiotic factors that may influence BMSB population levels from year to year.

• Several scientists presented on new technologies being developed to help combat a BMSB incursion. Better Border Biosecurity (B3) scientists are working on the development of a portable, remote sensor that can be deployed in shipping containers, sensitive enough to detect the presence of a single BMSB. Simon Bulman from Plant & Food Research is leading a project looking at optimising the use of e-DNA techniques to detect the presence of BMSB in the New Zealand environment, before population levels grow large enough that they might be detected visually. Rachael Horner, also from Plant & Food, is leading a project to further improve the current live BMSB traps, which were trialled in Italian vineyards and proven to catch many times over the number of adult BMSB that tend to be caught on sticky panel surveillance traps.

• Zespri have been working with their local growers in South Korea, China and Europe, and have had success with exclusion netting, along with samurai wasp release in preventing BMSB damage to kiwifruit. New Zealan Apples & Pears are also undertaking some netting trials (more focussed on the implications of netting use on secondary pest outbreaks) and are looking into the possibility of registering the BMSB pheromone for use in surveillance on orchards - currently it is only approved for research purposes and use by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Import Health Standard for Vehicles, Machinery and Parts Amended for 2021-22 BMSB Risk Season The import health standard for vehicles, machinery and parts has again been updated prior to the beginning of the high risk season, to ensure the risk of BMSB continues to be managed primarily offshore. Key changes to the standard include: • Four additional small vehicle types – golf carts, ATVs,

BMSB: what to look for

quad bikes and side by side racers – will now also be required to be treated offshore before shipping to New Zealand during the high risk season. These vehicle types contain small compartments and places where BMSB can stow away unnoticed.

• Poland has been added to the schedule of countries where BMSB management measures will apply prior to exporting risk goods to New Zealand.

• A clarification has been added, which excludes inflatable boats from BMSB management measures, as these are generally imported deflated, packaged and are considered low risk.

• Additional guidance for importers to assist with interpretation of the standard’s requirements has been added to MPI’s website, with links inserted into the standard itself.

NZW encourages any members considering importing vineyard/winery machinery and equipment to familiarise themselves with the standard and talk to suppliers about the measures they are undertaking prior to export. Getting the requirements right before goods leave the exporting country means there is less probability they will be held up at the border upon arrival, and less risk of BMSB entering New Zealand. The standard and supporting documents can be accessed at mpi.govt.nz/import/vehicles-machinery-parts/ If you are importing, remember to check goods and packaging carefully in an enclosed space when they arrive, open all compartments, and check the underside of any vehicles and machinery. Use a torch if necessary.

If you think you see a BMSB or anything else suspicious, remember to Catch It, Snap It and Report It to the Biosecurity New Zealand hotline on 0800 80 99 66, and get in touch with the NZW biosecurity team: biosecurity@ nzwine.com Winepress September 2021 / 25

Industry News Celebrating Vintage 2021 The importance of Appellation Marlborough Wine certification has never been so evident, according to a release from the organisation. Marlborough’s record low crops coupled with an impressive global consumer demand has created a significant shortage in wine from 2021, it says. “Some producers will be tempted to increase their production by blending fruit from outside the region into their Marlborough labelled releases.” That is permitted by law, but it is prohibited under AMW’s member criteria.

“With a quality mark and accreditation like AMW, the commitment to the consumer is clear and together gives rise to maintaining provincial integrity and authenticity from vine to bottle and beyond,” says Catalina Sounds’ winemaker Matthew Ward. And the wines from the 2021 vintage are worth protecting, he says. “The quality of fruit from 2021 has created wines with great weight, concentration and balance. Vintages of this quality don’t come about regularly and tasting an AMW wine will give the consumer a snapshot of what a truly great and challenging vintage can taste like.”

Rapaura Springs viticulturist Matt Fox agrees, talking of “by far the most concentrated and powerful examples of Sauvignon Blanc that I’ve tried to date”. Quality across the board is outstanding, he says. “It’s an exceptional year to be a consumer buying Sauvignon.”

AMW chair and Dog Point Vineyards owner Ivan Sutherland says purchasing AMW certified wines gives consumers reassurance that the wines were crafted with the prime objective under the AMW logo. “To protect the integrity, authenticity and reputation of New Zealand’s largest wine region.”

Wine Collective Direct

The Art Series

A large majority of wineries find driving international sales and promotions online a challenge, says Ryann Calder, manager of producer growth at Wine Collective Direct. The collective launched earlier this year to give producers their own e-cellar door, housed on the Wine Collective Direct website. This month it will add to that work, with a Digital Success Programme that gives producers a collaborative digital marketing solution focussed on driving direct sales via that e-cellar door.

“Different to the fast-moving commodity wine category, the craft wine category is characterised by consumers actively looking to connect at a personal level with the actual producer,” says Ryann. “Despite the decline in international tourists, overseas consumers haven’t lost their passion to discover the premium wines of Aotearoa.” winecollective.direct/producer-info

Lawson’s Dry Hills has collaborated with contemporary New Zealand painter and calligrapher Max Gimblett to create The Art Series - two artworks paired with an exclusively created Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The artist’s signature quatrefoil artworks grace the front of a limited production of 300 hand-numbered bottles of each. “These fine wines lift us up into ecstasy and speak to us of the heights.

We are so proud of them and of being members of their family,” says Max. The wines were launched at the Gow Langsford Gallery in Auckland in July.

Vineyards & Viticulture Advisory Planning, Production, Problem Solving Mike Insley M: 021 229 8157 E: mike@grapesense.co.nz W: www.grapesense.co.nz

26 / Winepress September 2021

2021 Marlborough Wine Show Ben Glover returns as chief judge at this year’s Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect. The Marlborough winemaker (pictured) will be joined by guest judges Stephen Wong, Master of Wine and director at Wine Sentience, and Liz Wheadon, general manager at Glengarry Wines.

The awards will be limited to wines made from a minimum of 95% Marlborough grapes, as is standard for the competition. Last year, the Marlborough Winegrowers board widened the net for the awards, reducing the Marlborough fruit criteria to 85%, because of the cancellation of other wine shows due to Covid-19.

Ben Glover says the 95% threshold is about supporting brand Marlborough and demanding a commitment to the region. “This is one way we are really showing that this is who we are and championing our wines globally.” He hopes more of the region’s iconic brands will choose to enter wines, in recognition of the competitions role in protecting and promoting Marlborough as a unique wine region.

Entries for the 2021 Marlborough Wine Show close on Friday September 17 with judging set for October 13 to 15. marlboroughwineshow.com

War against weeds A coordinated national research project aimed at tackling six of New Zealand’s most invasive weeds through biocontrol is expected to have far-reaching benefits for landowners and councils across the country. The three-year, $3.2 million project is backed by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, and the National Biocontrol Collective, a consortium of regional councils, unitary authorities and the Department of Conservation.

The project will focus on Sydney golden wattle, Chilean needle grass (pictured), old man’s beard, woolly nightshade, Chilean flame creeper, and yellow flag iris. By completion, the project aims to secure Environmental Protection Authority approval for the release of new biocontrol agents for at least three of these six weed species. “Through this project we aim to safeguard our environment and save landowners and councils money by finding smarter ways to reduce herbicides and the labour needed for weed control.”

GRAPES WANTED

CLASSIFIEDS

GRAPES WANTED

Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Would consider contract or vineyard lease. Offering above district average price

Contact: blair@bladen.co.nz 021 0241 4020

CLASSIFIEDS

Lease or contract supply 5 - 20 hectares. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris or mix thereof. All varieties considered.

All Marlborough subregions considered. For a confidential discussion contact Framingham Viticulturist James Bowskill

Call: 021 644 090

Email: james@framingham.co.nz

WE’RE ON THE SEARCH FOR GROWERS OF SAUVIGNON BLANC, CHARDONNAY, PINOT GRIS & RIESLING FOR 2022 & BEYOND All enquiries welcome Contact David Clouston 021 527 550 | dave@tworivers.co.nz

Winepress September 2021 / 27

Wine Happenings

A monthly list of events within the New Zealand wine industry.

To have your event included in the October Wine Happenings, please email details to sophie@sophiepreece.co.nz by September 20. Due to uncertainty around Covid-19, there may be changes to some of these events. For more information, please use the contact supplied or email sarah@winemarlborough.nz

SEPTEMBER 1 - 30 Winery wastewater focus month ( see page 12 ) 7 BRI Grape Yield Analyser Growers Workshop - nzwine.com/members/research 10 Marlborough Winegrowers election – nominations close 13-15 The New Zealand International Wine Show judging 15 Marlborough Winegrowers election – voting opens 17 Entries close to the 2021 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect 20-26 Organic Wine Week - organicwinenz.com/ 25 MANA Wine Fest, Rock Ferry Cellar Door, 12 to 4pm - marlboroughnz.com/events 27 Landcare Trust Regenerating Vineyard Soils field day 29 The New Zealand International Wine Show trophy presentations 30 Marlborough Winegrowers election – voting closes OCTOBER 1 Marlborough Winegrowers election – results notified 6 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year Competition 13-15 Judging in the 2021 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect 19 Wētā Information , 1pm, Awatere Memorial Hall, Seddon 21 NZSVO Technical Workshop - Alternative Varietals 29 Celebration Long Lunch for the 2021 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect

NZSVO Technical Workshop - October 21

28 / Winepress September 2021

Organic Wine Week - September 20 - 26

Celebration Long Lunch - October 29

ADVERTISEMENT

New Strategies for a New World.

Changing European Union criteria for chemicals must force a re-think on how we control fungal diseases.

By Chris Henry, Henry Manufacturing Ltd

The world is changing, and our industry must change with it.

Right now, New Zealand growers need to find a replacement strategy for chemicals that will no longer be accepted in European markets. This is a reality that all growers understand.

We are starting to see active change. The EU is not renewing the authorisation for use of Mancozeb® and is also reviewing other dithiocarbamate products.

Further restrictions on chemistry and chemical residues, particularly from the EU, will be an inevitable part of New Zealand’s wine growing future.

There is a great opportunity here for New Zealand.

New Zealand is fortunate. We do not have the pest and disease pressure that other countries face from pathogens such as Pierce’s disease, Red Blotch and other viruses.

Effective protection and eradication strategies with MRL-exempt products for all the major fungal diseases are available in New Zealand right now - if we chose to go that way (Downy Mildew eradication excluded).

We can decide whether we simply react to market regulations in the short term, and just replace one chemical with another. Or whether we take the lead and learn how to grow without synthetic chemistry altogether.

The latter path would create an excellent story for our wines, that almost no other national growing area can match.

Henry Manufacturing have spent decades researching and trialling products that support a non-residual approach to disease control, for both Powdery and Downy Mildew and Botrytis.

A program of our products and others, in conjunction with good vineyard practice, canopy management and correct spray application, have been proven to perform as well as conventional chemistry.

Currently, the only exception is highvigour Sauvignon Blanc when grown on a VSP trellis. However, promising research last season - to be validated by data in the season ahead - will most likely lead to its inclusion.

This is not a call for conversion to organics.

But it is a call to growers to begin a planned transition to a more futurefocused way of growing.

Growers can break the reliance on dithiocarbamate products for early season downy mildew and powdery mildew control with applications of Protectorhml and very low rates of copper. Sulphur can be added if you wish.

I am always happy to talk about your grape growing business, MRL-exempt materials and other simple things that can improve growing performance.

Begin the transition now • Spray from budburst for early season Powdery and Downy Mildew control • 1l/100L Protector plus 30g/100L Nordox® (pre-mixed before adding to spray tank) • Add Sulphur if you wish (contact with sulphur kills PM spores regardless of temperature)

Call Chris Henry on 027 294 1490 email chris@henrymanufacturing.co.nz www.henrymanufacturing.co.nz

Winepress September 2021 / 29

Successful season-long weed control Chateau® is a pre-emergence, soil applied residual herbicide for season-long weed control in grapes, kiwifruit, pipfruit, stonefruit, bush fruit, hops and shelterbelts.

It forms a protective barrier on the soil surface which effectively prevents the emergence of a range of both grass and broadleaf annual and perennial weeds after their seeds germinate.

Contact your local Fruitfed Supplies team for more information Image is for illustrative purposes only.

Our Customer Terms of Trade/Sale located at www.pggwrightson.co.nz apply to the sale of products and services listed here unless specified otherwise.

Fruitfed Supplies is a trading division of PGG Wrightson Ltd