30 July 2008
Project grant to prepare winemakers for climate change
A new project grant will see Hawke’s Bay grape growers and winemakers well prepared for the future effects of climate change on their industry/ business.
Hawke’s Bay Focus Research Group the regional research arm of Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc., has been granted $108,000 from the national Sustainable Farming Fund to undertake a three-year climate change project.
“This is an exciting project with major ramifications for the region’s wine growing industry,” said Andrew Curtis, HBWG board and Focus Vineyard Group member.
“With maximum input and effort we can ensure Hawke’s Bay is well prepared to address both the challenges and opportunities that climate change may bring.”
The three-year project is to be worked through in strategic yearly phases, the first year beginning with a focus on the needs of growers.
A full day seminar will be held in September to introduce wine growers to the basic concepts and the latest developments of climate change, and how it may affect their wine growing activities. A regional group meeting will follow to assess the issues further and gain feedback.
“At first we need to determine the priorities of growers by discovering what challenges and opportunities they see facing them as a result of climate change. This phase will provide them with the information to improve their overall awareness of climate change through seminars, workshops and education initiatives,” said Mr Curtis.
“We plan to demonstrate the potential impact growers currently have on climate change through the modelling and forecasting of winegrowing activities specifically in Hawke’s Bay.
We will use on-vineyard case studies and current focus vineyard project properties to display this,” said Mr Curtis.
Along with the climate change project the Focus Vineyard Group plans to undertake a review of all activities under the Hawkes Bay Winegrowers Inc. umbrella.
“We’re endeavouring to create a formal structure of governance and communication through this review, and our aim is for the research mandate to eventually grow to incorporate winemaking aspects,” Mr Curtis said.
“Ultimately we want to develop a regional research pool with the support of such organisations as EIT and local industry suppliers, to benefit research conducted both locally and New Zealand-wide.”
For further information contact:
Lyn Bevin
Executive Officer
Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc.
Phone 876 3418 or 027 621 7891
“One forgets just how fine New Zealand’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends can be, particularly in Hawke’s Bay..”
Neal Martin, Writer for Robert Parker, May 2008.
