We tend to think of the classic vinifera wine grape varieties as European, meaning French, Italian and Spanish. But vinifera’s origin lies to the east, in the Caucasus region: where Europe and Asia intersect, where ancient trade routes crisscrossed the mountains between the Black Sea and Persia, and near where the Bible says Noah planted a vineyard after the ark settled on Mount Ararat. This is where the oldest archaeological evidence of wine production, vinifera seeds in clay vessels, was found.

Neil McCallum is a pioneer of New Zealand pinot and the Wairarapa wine region, otherwise known as Martinborough. A former research scientist with a PhD in organic chemistry from Oxford University, McCallum and wife Dawn planted the region’s first 100 vines in 1979. They named their vineyard Dry River after a 19th century sheep station in the region, which itself was probably named due to the area’s dry, gravely and free-draining soil.

The Marlborough District Council is to pay a consultant $20,000 to scope out an idea for a research institute in Marlborough.
In the 2015 budget, ministers Steven Joyce and Nathan Guy announced $25 million over three years to support new privately-led regional research institutes.
The Government wants institutes to focus on scientific research relevant to a region, with an emphasis on research into new technologies, new firms, products and services.

Leading the charge to support innovation, Raidis Estate has recently installed South Australia’s first Tesla recharge station at their Coonawarra Cellar Door, enabling Tesla owners to visit the Limestone Coast wine region with ease for the first time.
The idea was sparked by Melbourne-based Tesla owner Keith Wein who visited Emma and Steven Raidis at their Cellar Door while waiting 24 hours for his battery operated vehicle to recharge.

LiraH, Australia’s leading premium vinegar producer, started with some oak barrels on a farm at Ballandean only 10 years ago.
In 2003, Ian Henderson and his wife Robyn launched Australia’s first dedicated vinegar-making facility in Queensland’s premier wine-growing region, the Granite Belt.

Renowned winemakers the Calabria family have snapped up the picturesque Magnolia Vale wine property in the heart of the Barossa Valley for about $1.9 million.
The 12-hectare property on the corner of Magnolia and Light Pass Roads in Tanunda has 10 hectares of vines producing grapes for Treasury Wine Estates. It is also renowned for its 1800s bluestone cellar door and restaurant leased to Artisans of Barossa, run by seven local wine producers.

Australian Vintage Limited has reported an 11 per cent drop in its annual profit to $9.4 million amid tough conditions for the industry globally.
Revenue for the business increased 7.5 per cent on the previous year to $230.9m, which the company said “reflected higher branded sales despite anticipated lower bulk and processing sales”.

A focus on premium wine and the story Australia has to tell are key to increasing North American market share, according to Wine Australia regional director Angela Slade.
The United States was the top destination for bottled Australian wines by value at $369 million and for exports by volume at 108 million litres in the past 12 months.

Vineyards across the Mid-Valley are gearing up for harvest with the bar set much higher by last year’s haul, when overall grape harvest in the state jumped 39 percent compared with 2013.
“It marks the third straight year of double-digit production gains,” said Michelle Kaufman, communications manager with the Oregon Wine Board.

Ag companies are learning to do more with less water. Four years into the drought, it’s become the new normal for many companies.
The Delicato Family Vineyards in San Bernabe is rethinking its watering practices. New technology is helping age old agriculture. Compared to 2011, in 2014, DFV used 55 percent less water to irrigate and frost protect.