Around 500 grape growers, winemakers, and industry leaders will meet in Marlborough this week to learn, discuss and network at the wine industry’s annual Romeo Bragato Conference. Philip Gregan, New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive officer, said in the past year the industry has seen continued strong demand in our key export markets. “This year Bragato is all about working to protect the reputation for quality we’ve attained, and gaining a clear understanding of key market and production trends.”

Four vineyard workers who attacked a flatmate have avoided a conviction so they can continue to work in New Zealand and provide for their families. The Ni-Vanuatu men, aged between 30 and 46, were in the country on a Recognised Seasonal Employer visa so they could work in Marlborough’s vineyards. They were living in RSE worker accommodation in Blenheim when a fight broke out with another worker on July 23.

Wolf Blass has celebrated 40 years of its top-level Black Label wine with a one-off tasting of standout vintages from each of the last four decades. In a year that also marks the 50th anniversary of Wolf Blass producing his first wine since emigrating to Australia from Germany, chief winemaker Chris Hatcher used the back-vintage tasting to explain something of the stylistic evolution of Black Label since its first vintage in 1973.

Whitey reports that the first bold shoots of vintage 2017 are emerging. After that perfectly wet winter, there is peace in the valley. Budburst has commenced in McLaren Vale, as in other regions, before some farmers have finished their pruning. Bits of the steeper ground have been a bit too dangerous in the bountiful rains, and some of the creek flats stay really muddy after the streams fill and flood.

Tasmania’s newest cellar door isn’t located in one of the island’s bucolic wine regions, perched on a forest-fringed hillside or in a rolling valley. No; Glaetzer-Dixon Family Winemakers have set up shop in an old ice works on Brooker Avenue, the busy main road that runs into the centre of Hobart from the north.

The powerhouse that is New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is facing some stiff competition from across the Tasman, with new figures indicating Aussie Sauvignon Blanc has become a driving force of its own in the Australian liquor market. According to recent IRi MarketEdge Liquor figures, Australian Sauvignon Blanc is in value growth of 18 per cent versus New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc which has seen a decline of two per cent in value over the past two years.

The Hawke’s Bay community know a thing or two about wine – and there is nowhere else Rod McDonald would rather be. The winemaker and owner of Rod McDonald Wines has worked in the industry for 20 years. In 2010 the highly regarded wine judge and former winemaker of the year launched his own-brand wines and then partnered with Mike Farrugia in 2012 to expand the brand. “The idea was to apply what I learned making wine and to make something different.”

The future stars of the New Zealand wine industry will be in Marlborough on Tuesday, competing for the coveted titles of best young viticulturist and winemaker. The Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year and Tonnellerie de Mercurey New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year competitions are being held in the region to tie in with the Romeo Bragato Conference. The industry conference, which was last held in Marlborough two years ago, starts on Wednesday and runs through to Friday at the ASB Theatre Marlborough.

Serious breaches of employment standards among contractors operating in Marlborough vineyards are threatening the wine industry’s reputation, says a labour inspector. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says a joint operation involving labour, immigration and tax officials found problems with several contractors visited.

A BARREL of Swan Valley wine is an unlikely choice of passenger for a journey at sea, but chief executive of the Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation Peter Bowman says it is a necessity. A ‘pipe’ of Houghton Wine’s tawny port will set sail today for a three-month expedition along the WA coastline on replica Dutch sailing ship Duyfken, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the landing of Captain Dirk Hartog at Shark Bay.