Lovers of travel & wine rejoice - direct flights from NZ to South Australia have resumed

If you’re a wine lover then you probably know that South Australia is New Zealand’s closest wine mecca. The region produces 50% of all bottled and 80% of premium Australian wines.

Getting there just got that bit easier with Air New Zealand recommencing direct flights from Auckland to Adelaide this week.

This from South Australia Tourism:

Air NZ direct flights boost to South Australia

South Australia’s tourism industry is set to be bolstered with a surge in the number of international flights into Adelaide, helping bring more visitors from some of the state’s key markets in time for the school holidays.

Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission: Tasting Australia, Kangaroo Island

The first Air New Zealand flight in 11 months arrives in Adelaide from Auckland this morning, restarting the airline’s direct flights from South Australia’s once $45 million Kiwi market.

Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison MP said it showed how important South Australia is as a destination for Kiwis.

“The South Australian Tourism Commission has worked hard to make sure South Australia remains top of mind for Kiwis wanting a holiday. Nearly 50,000 Kiwis have visited southaustralia.com since the SATC’s brand campaign launched on 13 March 2022, up 80 per cent on the same period last year.

“Total visitor expenditure in our state in March 2022 reached 84 per cent of pre pandemic levels, which was a great result for our post-COVID recovery.

“With the return of direct flights from Air New Zealand, we can now welcome even more of our friends from across the ditch, tempt them with our great wineries, vast outback, beaches and the Murray River.”

“We look forward to showing them around more of SA. “

Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox, said it was great to see the return of Air New Zealand as people rediscovered the joy of exploring the world.

“We know there is significant pent-up demand for South Australians wanting to head overseas again as well as visitors coming to our State, and Air New Zealand has recognised the strength of our market,” Mr Cox said.

“Flights will arrive in Adelaide late morning and depart around lunchtime, so they are very family-friendly timeslots.”

Adelaide Airport has reinforced its message to travellers to arrive up to two hours before domestic flights and three hours for international flights for what will be an extremely busy period.

Credit: Safari Global: Hardys Wines, Fleurieu Peninsula

“Our security and customer care teams will be at full capacity to help facilitate customers from kerb to gate - we anticipate that check-in and security queues will be longer than people may have been previously used to,” Mr Cox said.

“We thank our customers in advance for their patience, understanding and kindness.”

Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer, Leanne Geraghty said: “We’re thrilled to be restarting our Adelaide to Auckland direct services once again. With services running three to four times a week, we look forward to welcoming South Australians back into Aotearoa and know New Zealanders will be excited to get back over to Adelaide to soak up all the beautiful city has to offer.”

Innovative NZ distillers Scapegrace to open NZ's largest distillery in Central Otago

The team at Scapegrace are never shy of a challenge - so it’s exciting to see them taking on their biggest physical project to date. A distillery on the shores of Lake Dunstan.

Undoubtedly the team will apply their usual commitment to excellence to this exciting new development.

This from Scapegrace:

Award-winning, New Zealand craft spirit producer Scapegrace Distilling Company, is proud to announce the arrival of its biggest release to date; a new $25M distillery in Central Otago.

Said to be New Zealand’s largest ever distillery, the development will in-time produce the entirety of its current portfolio of super premium gin and vodka, alongside its soon-to-be released single malt whisky, with plans to expand into other products further down the line.

Located on Lake Dunstan the property is poised to entertain locals and tourists alike in the coming years. The prominent, 36 hectare Central Otago parcel overlooks both Lake Dunstan and Mt Pisa, boasting uninterrupted views of the historic Bendigo mountain-scapes.

Founded almost 10 years ago by Wanaka based brothers in law Daniel Mclaughlin and Mark Neal along with Richard Bourke, the trio had an enduring vision to produce superior spirits from New Zealand which could be sold in all parts of the world. Fast forward to the present, where the brand is now distributed to 35 countries and has picked up countless international accolades.

The Central Otago property provides the perfect climate and water quality for producing whisky. “The 45th parallel (half way point between equator and south pole) runs directly through our distillery site, giving us extremes in hot and cold temperatures – an optimum environment for aging whisky. Naturally the pristine water quality is also ideal for distilling gin & vodka, pulling from glacial run-off from the Southern Alps.

Mclaughlin continues, “4 years ago we also acquired an award-winning single malt whisky distillery and we’ve been quietly putting down whisky since and we’ll soon be launching Scapegrace Single Malt Whisky.

Scapegrace marketing director and co-founder Mark Neal “We made the decision early on to create a world-leading distillery with sustainability at the forefront, so together with the experts at Cheshire we have factored that into every decision we’ve made”. When mapping carbon footprints Scapegrace decided to switch from traditional fossil fuel boilers to electrode boilers. The distillery building structure itself is to be constructed from timber rather than steel, while the team have decided to look at re-purposed stainless steel tanks, rather than investing in new units. “Each decision is an incremental step forward in our quest to eventually become carbon neutral and create a property that enhances the region”, says Neal.

This approach has been applied across the entire project. With a goal to not only enhance its product offering but also foster the community and give back to all who visit the property, the Scapegrace team is already planning a regenerative planting programme that will see $150,000 worth of native Kanuka replanted on the site. Plans are also underway for a walking track through the property allowing locals and visitors alike to pour through the site and enjoy the historic setting including remnants of historic gold mines that will remain as a point of interest for visitors to the property.

The Distillery is planned to open to the public approximately November 2023.

Greystone is NZ’s first Net Carbonzero certificated, certified organic & regenerative winery

The team at Greystone never fail to impress with a stunning range of organic wines. These are the wineries REALLY making a difference, certified organic, practicing regenerative farming and now they’ve gone a step (and not a small step) further by achieving Net Carbonzero Certification.

Immensely proud of Nic & the Greystone team

This from Greystone:

Net carbonzero certification for innovative North Canterbury winery

Greystone Wines is now Toitū Envirocare net carbonzero certified as part of bold plans to reduce its environmental impact.  

Greystone marketing manager Nik Mavromatis says the certification is part of Greystone’s innovative and holistic approach to wine growing and making.

“We’re the first winery in the country to be net carbonzero, 100% certified organic with BioGro and practising regenerative viticulture,” says Mavromatis.

“It was a lot of work to get to the point of being carbonzero but wine is the canary in the mine for climate change so we need to try everything we can. If we don’t then we probably only have twenty years left of making wine on this planet,” says Nik.

To achieve Toitū certification, Greystone had to create an emission inventory across the entire company, including travel, how much diesel and petrol they use and measures to counter that.

Greystone company cars are now hybrid, its new Fendt tractors are 50% more fuel-efficient and only carbonzero electricity is used in their strawbale winery. Even the glass bottles have been switched to lighter-weight options across their production.

Greystone viticulturist Mike Saunders says they have also embraced regenerative viticulture, which involves looking at every inch of the farm and vineyard to increase diversity while aiming for a more balanced ecosystem. 

“It’s a practice that requires fewer manufactured inputs, working with nature, rather than against it,” says Saunders.

Saunders says a cover cropping programme is helping build organic soil matter and reducing the company’s environmental impact.

“We've planted a mix of 16 species, including sunflowers, oats, lentils and beans in between the rows of vines. By retaining living cover crop roots we can sequester, transfer and store carbon between plant and soil,” says Saunders.

Plants that fix nitrogen levels are among those planted, creating a natural fertiliser, while irrigation usage is being decreased by maintaining ground cover.

Saunders says another aspect of the move to regenerative viticulture is the total integration of livestock into the vineyard. 

The team re-trained a trial block to a high-wire system where they can now run sheep in the vineyard every day of the year. 

“We drive our tractors through these vineyard rows nearly 30 times a year - that’s 200 km every time. Integrating sheep can reduce this by 50%, significantly reducing our use of tractors, cutting down compaction, reducing diesel use and improving nutrient cycling. We even have Pekin ducks living on-site to eat the grass grubs,” says Saunders. 

Greystone’s entire 50-hectare vineyard, located in the North Canterbury wine region, is certified organic with BioGro New Zealand. The company has clocked up numerous awards, with the award-winning Vineyard Ferment Pinot Noir produced using an age-old outdoor winemaking method that sees grapes handpicked and fermented outside in the vineyard rows where the fruit is grown.  

Better late than never (thanks Covid) Ben McNab wins 2021 Young Winemaker of the Year

After several postponements the Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year 2021 has finally been crowned. Ben McNab from Wairarapa’s Palliser Estate. Ben is the first young winemaker of the year to hail from the Wairarapa. Congratulations Ben!

This from NZ Winegrowers:

Ben McNab wins delayed 2021 Young Winemaker of the Year competition

Congratulations to Ben McNab from Palliser Estate in Wairarapa who became the 2021 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker.  The 2021 National Final was postponed several times due to the pandemic but finally went ahead on 22nd June 2022 at Amisfield winery in the Pisa Ranges near Cromwell, Central Otago.

Credit: NZ Winegrowers

The other two finalists Jordan Moores Valli in Central Otago and Peter Russell from Matua in Marlborough also excelled themselves with Peter Russell winning the Fruitfed Supplies Speeches and Jordan winning the Villa Maria-Indevin Wine Judging section.  All three were delighted and relieved the competition could finally go ahead.

This was the very first time the Young Winemaker National Final has been held in Central Otago and also the very first time someone from Wairarapa has won the prestigious competition. 

Originally planned as a spring then summer competition, it eventually took place in winter with the snowcapped mountains adding a dramatic backdrop for the day.  The finalists undertook a wide range of challenges covering everything needed to be a top winemaker.  This included laboratory skills, wine industry knowledge, CAPEX, wine judging and an interview.  They also had to prepare and deliver a presentation entitled“What can the wine industry do to reach carbon zero by 2050?” They offered the judges some very well thought out suggestions and plans.

The Awards Dinner was held at another stunning Central Otago setting  - The Canyon at Tarras Vineyard.  The finalists poured their wines under the stars to welcome the guests, including the NZ Winegrowers Board, before moving inside to deliver their speeches.  They each spoke about their favourite wine varietal and how its future looked.

Although a long, tough day, there was a lot of joy as wine industry members  from around the country could come together again in such a beautiful setting and support the future of the industry.

This programme supports emerging Young Winemakers helping them upskill, widen their network and giving them a platform to share their ideas for the future.

The competition is made possible by all the generous sponsors: Tonnellerie de Mercurey, Booster Wine Group, Crown Sheet Metal, Fruitfed Supplies, Hillebrand, Indevin, Laffort, Programmed Property Services, Visy, Winejobsonline and New World.

Apart from being crowned the 2021 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year Ben won an amazing prize package which includes a travel grant to visit the Tonnellerie de Mercurey (cooperage) in Burgundy, be an associate judge in the New World Wine Awards and review wines in DrinksBiz magazine.

Ben had competed last spring in the 2021 North Island Regional Competition which takes place in Hawke’s Bay. The 2022 competitions will run throughout September with the 2022 National Final set for November.

Excise on wine set for biggest increase in 30 years

Think you’re paying too much for your bottle of wine? Well the good news is, thanks to the largest excise increase in 30 years - you’re about to start paying more. From July 1st excise on alcohol will increase by 6.9%.

Credit: NZ Winegrowers/Nautilus

NZ Wineries are already struggling to keep up with the increased cost of - everything - so this just isn’t something they can afford to absorb.

This from NZ Winegrowers:

Increased excise tax means higher costs for wineries and consumers 

Excise on wine is set for its biggest increase in 30 years, following the government’s decision to lift excise by 6.9% from 1 July says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.

“Like every business, wineries are already facing big cost increases, so there is no way the excise increase can be absorbed by them. This excise increase will need to be passed on to consumers.”

The increased excise tax will most strongly impact the 300 members of New Zealand Winegrowers who only produce wine for New Zealanders to drink.

“We asked our members to tell the government the likely impact of the largest hike in excise for years. The response from many was that excise is their largest cost after wages, that the increase would impact on jobs, and would threaten on-going investment and the survival of their business, especially given the other cost increases they are seeing imposed,” says Philip.

With this latest increase, the excise rate on table wine will be $2.49 per bottle, charged to the winemaker, and before any retailer mark-ups. For a winery selling in the domestic market that is more than they pay on average for grapes, and is the equivalent of $30,000 tax per hectare. 

“At a time when the government has rightly highlighted concerns about cost-of-living increases, further fuelling inflation by boosting excise seems to make little sense.”

NZ Wine is leading the charge in sustainable practices

Credit: Akarua

NZ Winegrowers have released their 2022 Sustainability report in time for Earth Day and the snapshot shows New Zealand wineries as world leaders in the field of sustainable practices. Something we can be very proud of. This from Winegrowers with a link to the report.

New Zealand Winegrowers have released their 2022 Sustainability Report, providing a snapshot of the New Zealand wine industry’s sustainability journey.

The report measures and communicates the New Zealand wine industry’s commitment and progress across six key focus areas of sustainability: climate, water, waste, soil, plant protection, and people.

Showcasing data collected from the 1840 vineyards and 310 wineries certified under the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme, the report highlights how sustainability differentiates the New Zealand wine industry on the world stage. 

“The New Zealand wine industry has rightfully earned its place as one of the most progressive wine producing nations in the world. With the data we have available from SWNZ, we have a unique opportunity to tell our wine sustainability story at a time when caring for people and place is so aligned to our customer’s values,” says Dr Edwin Massey, General Manager of Sustainability at New Zealand Winegrowers.

“Over 96% of all vineyard area in New Zealand is now certified as sustainable through the SWNZ programme, with 10% of New Zealand wineries holding organic certification. It’s an achievement we can be proud of, but the real work is ensuring we not only sustain but elevate our position with an enduring commitment to continuous improvement.”

The report is released just in time for Earth Day 2022 on Friday 22 April, the theme of which is Invest In Our Planet, with a focus on how the world takes action on climate. The industry goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 has the New Zealand wine industry firmly committed to a low emissions pathway, and exciting developments in vineyards and in wineries are already well underway. 

“It’s the positive individual actions of New Zealand wine businesses that add up to make a big impact across the wine industry, and that are helping to deliver lasting change.”

“For our growers and wineries, sustainability means growing grapes and producing our world-famous wines in such a way that we can do so for generations to come. Every little bit counts. It means consumers can trust that their bottle of New Zealand wine has been made with respect for our world and for our people.”

Find the New Zealand Winegrowers Sustainability Report 2022 online here: https://www.nzwine.com/sustainability-report

The Hawke's Bay Wine Auction is back for 2022

The iconic Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction returns in 2022 for its 30th year after sadly having to cancel in 2011 due to COVID. Each year this incredible event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for Cranford Hospice.

Lots promised for 2021 will be carried over into the 2022 event & this year’s Ambassador Blend is a flavour sensation collaboration between Elephant Hill head winemaker Hugh Crichton and event ambassador TV3’s Mike McRoberts

This from Hawke’s Bay Wine:

HAWKE’S BAY WINE AUCTION TO FORGE AHEAD

This year we celebrate the postponed 30th Hawke's Bay Wine Auction and continued support from wineries within the region generously creating wine blends to be auctioned and gifted to Cranford Hospice.  

The 2022 event will be hosted on 17th September at ToiToi HB Arts and Events Centre, drawing oenophiles, wine lovers and those that enjoy a casual glass of wine with friends from near and far.

The Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction committee are delighted to announce the auction will forge ahead one way or another, with an online auction being created as an alternative if the live event is unable to proceed.  Auction lots which were intended for the 2021 event will be auctioned this year. The impressive line-up includes 40 live wine lots, one feature artist and a travel package.  

Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction, General Manager – Elisha Milmine says, ‘I am truly grateful for the support of long-term partners MRD Web and Digital Marketing along with Harcourts Hawke’s Bay who are working with us to develop fit for purpose online auction software which will allow the auction to proceed one way or another.”  Milmine says “it is a huge relief to know we will be raising much needed funds for Cranford Hospice again this year, after COVID restrictions put a stop to the 2021 event”

The Live Auction includes packages, from Alpha Domus, Askerne, Bilancia, Black Barn, Bostock Wine, Bridge Pa Triangle Wine District, Brookfields, Church Road, Clearview Estate, Collaboration, Crab Farm Winery, Craggy Range, Decibel Wines, Easthope Family Winegrowers, Elephant Hill, Esk Valley Estate, Gimblett Gravels Association, Hawke's Bay Wine, Helio Wines, HopesGrove Wines, Junction Wines, Lime Rock, Mission Estate Winery, Monowai Estate, Ngatarawa Wine, Paritua Wines, Pask Winery, Radburnd Cellars, Sileni Estates, Smith & Sheth, Squawking Magpie, Stonecroft, Te Awanga Estate, Te Mata Estate, Tony Bish Wines, Trinity Hill Wines, Villa Maria, House of Travel Hastings and this year’s Feature Artist – John Lancashire.  Along with a selection of Silent Auction lots which will be available to bid on at the event.

This year’s Ambassador Blend is a collaboration with Event Ambassador Mike McRoberts, Elephant Hill and winemaker Hugh Crichton. 

WineWorks, Director and Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction, Principal Sponsor - Tim Nowell-Usticke said “We are thrilled the auction will be in a position to proceed this year with either an online auction or live auction, to raise funds for Cranford Hospice.  We love being the Principal Sponsor for Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction and supporting our generous Hawke’s Bay wineries and community in putting on this great event.”

Artist John Lancashire has painted ‘You can’t tell the sky what to do’ a triptych piece of art split into three canvasses.  There was plenty of interest in this triptych art last year, so we are confident it will be a popular lot at this year’s auction.  Three canvas stretchers at 910 W x 1210 H x 30 with a combined measurement of 2730 x 1210. 

Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction is your chance to group together with friends, wander the room speaking with winemakers while tasting often unique and always exceptional wines they have on auction.  This is followed by the fun and lively auction, raise your paddles to walk away with some of Hawke’s Bay’s finest wines, one travel package or our feature art piece. There is a blend, a collection, an experience that will captivate everyone.  

All auction proceeds go to the Cranford Hospice, to help them continue doing what they do so well.

Event tickets will be on sale in July for $60 at www.hawkesbaywineauction.co.nz and absentee bidding is also available.  To follow update’s sign up on the website or ‘like’ Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction, Facebook page.

New Zealand wine industry welcomes UK Free Trade Agreement

Credit: New Zealand Winegrowers/Wairau River

A long awaited free trade agreement has been signed between New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This agreement removes so many barriers to trade for NZ Wine, so hopefully this means big things for NZ wine and it’s adorers in the UK.

This from NZ Winegrowers today:

New Zealand Winegrowers is pleased with today’s announcement that New Zealand has signed a historic free trade deal with the United Kingdom.

“The agreement is very positive for the New Zealand wine industry. This will help remove technical barriers to trade, and minimise burdens from certification and labelling requirements. It will also support future growth in the market, and encourage exporters to focus on the UK,” says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.

“The UK is New Zealand’s second largest export market for wine, with exports valued at over $400 million over the past 12 months. The agreement will reduce trade barriers on New Zealand wine exports to the UK, which will make a big difference for many within our industry.” 

“We thank Ministers and officials for their support, and conduct of negotiations in challenging circumstances due to the impacts of COVID-19.”

Diner En Blanc 2018

It’s no secret that Diner En Blanc is one of my favourite nights of the year. Most likely because I’m such a romantic & the thought of hundreds of people all dressed in their finest white outfits meeting to party at a secret location....well, it’s pretty fairytale. 

With the weather being a concern, I was relieved to find out that DEB Auckland would be undercover at The Cloud as while I  had an amazing time at the historic "wet AF" DEB16, dry is definitely my preference. Having the event under cover is techincally bending the international DEB rules, but The Cloud is really just a big tent, right? 

The cool kids from Dry & Tea were there again to give any ladies requiring a hair refresh after lugging he whole picnic kit & kaboodle around town. (I love that!) and then it was just a case of setting up, greeting friends & fellow former DEB-ers (ended up sitting beside the same people as last year) and wait for the official start of the event which is represented by twirling of white napkins overhead. 

Once again the wine sponsors were Church Road & Perrier Jouet and, of course, the credenza was set up as a photograph/ insta story/ snapchat haven, there was one flawand that's that the Perrier Jouet light was so bright it completely dominated & washed out photos as it got darker, which was a shame as lets be honest, photos taken in this space are most definitely 'for the gram'. But if that's the only thing I can fault DEB18 for (and it is) then there is little to be upset about. 

Diner En Blanc always has a lot to live up to as I await it with anticipation every year, so the potential for disappointment is pretty high, but it has yet to fail me. The organisation is spot on, the venue was amazing, the crowd is always a great one, the entertainment is on point & it really feels like everyone is there to celebrate and have a good time. 

Have a look at the video below to see a one minute snippet of my personal Diner En Blanc experience. 

Looking forward to DEB19 already....

Veuve Clicquot tasting with Wine Maker Stephanie Roposte

Being asked to drink vintage rosé Champagne, overlooking the ocean all the while celebrating a remarkable woman? That's the Mermaid trifecta....you couldn't keep me away if you tried.

Veuve Clicquot Wine Maker Stephanie Roposte was in Auckland this week to celebrate the 200th year anniversary of Veuve Cliquot Rosé, the world's first rosé champagne made by one of the most innovative women in wine - Madame Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, the "Grand Dame of Champagne" who after her husband died when she was merely 27, took over the running of his Champagne house and turned it into the iconic, internationally renowned brand we know today. This would be no mean feat for a woman today but when you put it into the context that, at this point in history woman weren't permitted to own their own bank account, it makes the accomplishment of Veuve (French for Widow) Clicquot all the more significant.

Apart from chatting & quaffing vintage Champagne - as in addition to the Non Vintage Rosé we were treated to couple of glasses of the 2008 vintage (2002 & 2008 are regarded as the greatest vintages of that decade), yes you can hate me now - I also got a chance to talk to Stephanie about what it is that makes Veuve Cliquot just so very special.

So this Woman's Week I advocating for women everywhere to get together over a glass Veuve Clicquot Rosé, to celebrate the shift happening in our world today & to appreciate how lucky we are to have follow in the steps of women like Madame Veuve Clicquot.

Thanks to the team at Dark Horse for the opportunity to come along & celebrate!