Editorial: Altogether unique

From subtropical Northland to arid Central Otago, geological, climatic and human influences have carved out a patchwork of unique places, each of them extraordinary.

In many of these places, pioneering winegrowers have taken old world wine tradition and new world wine knowledge to forge vineyards and wines that reflect their little corner of New Zealand in this little corner of the world. From the tiny 59 hectares of Waitaki to more than 29,000ha in Marlborough, and from the Chardonnay of Gisborne to the Pinot Noir of Central, they all add texture and richness to our story.

Which is why New Zealand Wine's new brand platform - New Zealand Wine, Altogether Unique - is so apt. "The combination of New Zealand's location, people, and climate is simply magic." says Mike O'Sullivan from Many Minds, which developed the brand with New Zealand Winegrowers. "There is nothing else like it on earth."

Checking in with growers, viticulturists and winemakers over the past week, I've been reminded of how unique our wine regions are, and how Altogether Unique our industry is, thanks to people and place. The attributes of natural environment and passionate people are the "anchors" of an industry with a long-term future, says Emma Jenkins MW. "Where you have not only the ability to make really fine wine but you have people who are absolutely passionate about getting the best out of their site and their varieties."

That's happening in every single one of our wine regions, with wine communities striving to make extraordinary wine from extraordinary places.

Sophie Preece

Editor