Annual Report
Covid-19 is a hot topic in the recently released 2021 New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Report, including its impacts on the border, markets, and increasingly supply chain.
What Is Your Background In The Wine Industry?
My grandfather planted his first vines in West Auckland in the 1930’s.The business was run by my father Frank and his brother Mate from the late 1950’s. It transformed into Montana Wines in the early 1960’s and experienced remarkable growth. I worked in the vineyards, winery and bottling line from a young age.
I first worked for George Fistonich, who is my mother’s brother, at Villa Maria in the cellar in 1970’s. I then worked for my father when he purchased Penfolds Wines NZ. I subsequently enrolled at Roseworthy College graduating in the early 1980’s.
After working a vintage winemaking role in Australia I returned to New Zealand to work for Penfolds during and after the construction of the Gisborne winery followed by a position in national on-premise sales.
In 1998 I re-joined Villa Maria to project manage the building of the Marlborough winery and the new Auckland winery and vineyard-park. I have worked in many parts of the Villa Maria business and became a director in 2006.
When Did You First Become A NZW Board Member?
2012
What Inspired You To Stand?
I am passionate about New Zealand wine and keen to make a contribution to the industry.
What Committees Are You Involved With and Why Those?
I have been on the Advocacy and Sustainability Committees since 2012. Advocacy is critical for New Zealand Winegrowers maintaining access to export markets, dealing with compliance issues and ensuring our voice is heard by the right people in government. I recently relinquished the role on the Advocacy committee to join the Marketing committee.
The Sustainability committee at NZWG really interests me as it is an area I am very enthusiastic about. The roll-out of the new SWNZ software, WiSE by the Sustainability team has been very successful and I am proud to have been one of the committee during that time.
What Do You Believe Is The Greatest Hurdle Moving Forward For NZ Wine?
Maintaining premium export price position and preventing the commoditisation of New Zealand wine. That is a major risk to the livelihood of anyone who wants to be in the industry long term.
What Issue Do You Believe Needs A Higher Priority Than It Is Currently Receiving – and Why?
As referred to above, some less than ideal quality wine is being marketed overseas at low prices, destroying the brand equity we have worked so hard to establish over decades. Our reputation is built on exciting consumer friendly wines that have an obvious premium.
Anything less than premium is detrimental, and the real damage will be from dilute, bland wines made from over-cropped vineyards for short term gain at the expense of long term industry financial viability. The priority is to keep the industry united in the drive for quality.
What Would You Say Is The Greatest Achievement NZ Wine Has Accomplished And Why?
There are many great achievements and it seems unfair to single out a single one. However, I believe establishing SWNZ, and growing it to cover over 94% of New Zealand vineyard area is a major achievement. Consumers are increasingly focused on sustainability.
What Is Your Personal Vision For The Future Of NZ Wine? How Do We Get There?
My vision is for New Zealand to be widely recognised for the sustainable production of premium quality, luxury branded wine.
There are no simple answers. We are a complex industry with many participants and some great work is already being done.
From an industry organisation point of view we have to focus on some key areas. The first of these is to prevent the export of poor products at low prices that devalue our brand equity.
This needs to be done through education but also through more stringent application of the export wine certification rules. This won’t be easy but it is necessary.
Second. To expand on what we are doing through the SWNZ accreditation, to the point where it is seen by both our members and consumers to give a real environmental and marketing benefit, at the same time positively improving financial sustainability. ν
