Growing Legacy
Thirty-six years after Dave and Chris Macdonald followed a vineyard dream to Marlborough, and 28 years after they named a wine label for their children Blair and Deni, the family is devoted to Bladen, says Deni Hopkins
It is at this point that I find myself bracing for bad news. However, the survey says that 81% of New Zealanders are drinking beer, wine and spirits responsibly. Furthermore, we are drinking more than 25% less now than we did in the 1970s. Fewer under 18s are drinking alcohol and those who do are drinking less hazardously.
Industry observers are noting a changing trend with Kiwis turning to low and no-alcohol beverages which would seem to justify the investment in infrastructure that will enhance the flavour and choice of low to zero alcohol beer, wine and spirits. A poll of 1,250 New Zealanders in December 2022 found 56% (up from 49% in the preceding years) of those surveyed now drink low-alcohol beverages at least some of the time, and some prefer low alcohol beverages.
Welcome to a world where moderation increasingly rules.
