The standard requires multiple ampelographic inspections of mother vines and nursery stock to ensure trueness-to-type, which are typically done by nursery staff recognised as Grade 2.
As New Zealand’s only Grade 1 ampelographer, Raquel can train others and confer Grade 2 status.
Raquel is holding ‘Vine Literacy’ workshops in February, designed to make variety identification accessible across viticulture, winemaking, hospitality, sales and marketing.
“The ampelographic framework allows us to see past the wall of green and look at vines in high resolution,” she says. “Our industry often delves into incredible levels of detail about sites, soils, and the resulting wines, yet the ability to identify varieties is exceedingly rare. Not only is it empowering to learn how to recognise a variety, but it connects us to the history, culture, geography, and language that the vine arose from.”
naturalselection.co.nz/workshops
