Treading Lightly the Focus at Industry Conference

MEDIA RELEASE
14 August 2007

Treading Lightly the Focus at Major Grape and Wine Industry Conference

- World climate change expert to canvas effects of climate change on New Zealand wine industry

- Prime Minister to speak on New Zealand’s path to sustainability

- Challenges to sustainable commercial development of the industry explored

Sustainability in the wine industry is the focus at next week’s Romeo Bragato conference, with the theme: Treading lightly – our sustainable footprint.

The 13th annual Romeo Bragato conference, New Zealand’s major technical conference for the grape and wine industry and named after one of the pioneers of the New Zealand wine industry, will this year focus on sustainability including the impact of global warming.

Professor Greg Jones, United States-based climatologist and world leader in climate change, will look at the impact of climate change on viticulture in the Bragato Address.

The Prime Minister Rt. Hon Helen Clark will also speak at this year’s Romeo Bragato conference outlining New Zealand’s path to sustainability.

New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said sustainability is critical to the New Zealand wine industry and will help maintain our competitive advantage globally.

“It is our passport to trade. We have been committed to sustainable winegrowing for 13 years and we continue to be committed to New Zealand viticulture and the wine industry demonstrating world’s best practice.”

Other speakers during the three-day conference, which begins next Thursday [eds: 23 August] include Peter Berry who will give the Rabobank keynote address, “Growing the Business – Keys to Success”. Peter will present on maintaining a profitable business and providing leadership to ensure ongoing success, from small family-owned vineyards to large corporate wine companies.

Other experts include Chris de Freitas, Associate Professor, Deputy Director of School and Associate Director (Postgraduate Affairs) at the University of Auckland, who will discuss climate change and its causes.

Jim Salinger, principal scientist with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), will present the likely scenarios for New Zealand production under existing climate change models.

Mr Gregan says the range of speakers reflects the fact that sustainable development is clearly an environmental challenge but also a commercial challenge.

“We need to understand the environmental challenges so we can meet the commercial challenges that confront our industry,” says Mr Gregan.

Mr Gregan says the New Zealand wine industry has a long history with sustainable policies.

“We have confirmed our commitment to a responsible future with our sustainability policy, whereby we aim to have 100 per cent of the industry operating under independently audited sustainability schemes by 2012.

“Romeo Bragato is the ideal forum for the industry to gain access to vital information regarding climate change and the environment in relation to best viticultural practices,” says Mr Gregan

Other speakers include Paul Munro, partner at Deloitte; Andre Green from independent contract horticultural research company, Geelen Research; Dr Michelle Glogau, chief executive of BioGro New Zealand; Ann Smith, technical manager for carboNZero; and Stephen Bradley, grape supply and technical manager at Nobilo Wine Group.

During the Romeo Bragato conference, New Zealand’s only competition rewarding the grapegrower takes place with the esteemed Romeo Bragato Wine Awards.

“There are a number of people involved in making the perfect wine. However, it begins with the grapegrower and these Awards recognises their effort,” says Mr Gregan.

This year the Romeo Bragato conference will be held in Auckland from 23-25 August at the Ellerslie Event Centre.

On Saturday, 25 August, the Young Viticulturist of the Year and the winner of the Silver Secateur Award will be announced.

For more information on events and key note speakers including times visit www.bragato.org.nz.

Editors’ notes

The Romeo Bragato conference is named after a man who arrived on New Zealand shores on February 19, 1895. Fresh from Italy with his Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology in hand, the then New Zealand Government escorted Romeo Bragato from one end of the country to the other to visit and advise on our local vineyards.

Regrettably his work was not acted on and lay forgotten for over 60 years. Dusted off by a few pioneers in the 1970s and early 1980s, many of the recommendations of Romeo Bragato form the basis of modern New Zealand viticulture practices.

For more information on New Zealand Winegrowers’ sustainability policy, go to www.nzwine.com/swnz

ENDS

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