Friday, 21 August 2015 07:27

Meet Your Board - Patrick Materman

Written by 
Patrick Materman. Patrick Materman.

Patrick Materman, Chief Winemaker Pernod Ricard Winemakers NZ, Marlborough, Representing Category 3 Wine Companies. A Board member since 2014.

What Is Your Background In The Wine Industry?

Freshly out of studying Horticulture at Massey University, I landed a two month job as a cellar hand at, what was then Montana Wine’s Tamaki Winery. A little over 25 years later, with a shift to Marlborough in 1994, a few role changes, and now as part of Pernod Ricard, I am Chief Winemaker, leading a great team at Pernod Ricard Winemakers NZ. This role gives me very good exposure to all aspects of the business, from vineyards and winemaking, through to finance, marketing and sales. It involves much international travel, largely connected with promoting Brancott Estate and the New Zealand wine category in general. I also get involved in wine judging at New Zealand shows, and have recently judged at the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon in Friuli, Italy.

I still have a passion for horticulture, owning a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard at Seaview in the Awatere Valley which I developed a number of years ago. 

What inspired you to stand?

I’ve lived and breathed the New Zealand wine industry for the past 25 years, and am enormously proud of the industry’s achievements. I’ve worked in Auckland, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Marlborough and have also worked with fruit from Martinborough, Nelson, Waipara and Central Otago and have a pretty good understanding of these regions. 

In standing for the Board, I wished to become better informed on industry matters, but more importantly felt I had a lot to contribute towards decisions which shape the future of our industry.

What Are Your Thoughts On The Change Of Governance?

I believe a lot of thought had been put into the Governance review, and the Board’s recommendation had been put forward to best represent the interests of the whole New Zealand wine industry. While it was pleasing to see good member support for the changes in the Referendum, and voting well above the threshold level set, it would have been nice to see higher return rates. It was an opportunity for all members to have a say in how their industry organisation is run. I look forward to the new structure being implemented; another milestone in the progression of the New Zealand wine industry.

What Committees Are You Involved With And Why Those?

I sit on the Finance Committee because it gives the opportunity to be connected with all aspects of NZWG. Being the only Marlborough based person on the Finance committee I am also able to contribute by giving first-hand information on what is happening in that region. 

I also chair a committee organising the first International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration which will be held in Marlborough in February 2016. It’s a great committee, and we’ve been working on the programme for this event for over a year, and have a superb line-up of speakers and producers. It will be a fabulous opportunity to showcase Sauvignon Blanc, the variety that well and truly put New Zealand on the world wine map.    

What Do You Believe Is The Greatest Hurdle Moving Forward For NZ Wine?

With future constraints in land availability, maintaining supply and demand balance through targeting more premium price points and ensuring consumers’ expectations are met at those price points is of key importance. This is as much an opportunity as it is a hurdle.  

What Issue Do You Believe Needs A Higher Priority Than It Is Currently Receiving – And Why?

It is important we develop a highly skilled labour force across all parts of the industry; ensuring we don’t just have enough labour, but have a labour force with the right skills to make us a world leading wine industry. 

This will be achieved through strong, well supported industry training organisations, and through being competitive against other industries vying for labour.

What Is Your Personal Vision For The Future Of NZ Wine? How Do We Get There?

To be recognised as the world’s most consistent producer of sustainable, high value and exceptional wines. 

To get there we must continue to build on the great work that has already been done, but with even greater emphasis on quality. 

This will be achieved through exceptional viticulture and winemaking, where we protect our resources; and through building strong brands with real identity and genuine stories which consumers are prepared to pay more for.

I’d like to think that supply constraint may help encourage this to become a common goal across all New Zealand wine producers.  

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