Marlborough Wine Explores Subregional Identity with Drone Mapping Innovation

AMW Chair Sophie Parker-Thomson says the drone imagery, captured by photographer Jim Tannock and drone operator Colin Aitchison, from Skyworks UAS, will be used as part of AMW’s digital wine map, developed by MapHQ.

The map offers an interactive exploration of subregions, from the corrugated lines of the Southern Valleys and the green plains of the Central Wairau to the golden hills of the Awatere and Pacific-edged vineyards of the Southern Coast.

Jim Tannock says the drone project gives a unique view of Marlborough, including some of his favourite landscapes.

“I love the Awatere, which is so rugged, and the cut of the river through the valley, which is still so fresh. And the Southern Valleys in evening light, particularly this time of year when it comes back over the top, is extraordinary.”

For the AMW project, they caught the Southern Valleys cast in shadow, “which means there’s the contrast and the colour,” Jim says.

“The deep purples and the shadows are just delicious.”

Sophie says the map, including interactive links to climate and soil data, now enhanced with the drone footage, is a valuable tool for wine companies to use when explaining the subregional nuances winemakers are increasingly excited by.

AMW recently produced a report on Marlborough’s Geographical Indication, using a MapHQ analysis of water catchments and topography to establish a tighter boundary than the current GI, which extends to Picton and south of Kaikōura.

Sophie says AMW is hoping to incite wider industry discussions on the GI boundaries, which dictate which wines can claim to be from Marlborough.

“It’s positive for Marlborough to be having these conversations. Open, informed discussion about subregions, boundaries and quality shows a region thinking carefully about how it protects its reputation for the future.”