There’s mounting evidence that supports the notion that a commitment to corporate sustainability practices is a basic cost of entry for companies that hope to succeed in the marketplace. In just two years, we’ve seen significant increases in the number of consumers who say that they want products from sustainable companies, and they are willing to spend more to get them.
Languedoc-based producer Skalli has sold its Napa Valley winery St. Supéry Estate to fashion house Chanel for an undisclosed sum. “I am delighted to hand over St. Supery to such a well-regarded company that understands luxury brands and will continue to enhance this special property,” Robert Skalli said in a statement. “I’m confident that they will continue my vision of a Napa Valley Château, crafting world class wines, and will build on that foundation, ever improving quality,” he added.
The pioneer of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Brancott Estate, today announced its first-ever design collaboration with Dror Benshetrit, founder of Studio Dror. The partnership will translate the winery’s innovation-driven spirit and winemaking process through design. Benshetrit’s vision, informed by an immersive visit to New Zealand with Brancott Estate Chief Winemaker Patrick Materman, will come to life as a permanent, site-specific installation entitled Under/standing, as well as a small-scale interpretation in the form of a wine rack, Present.
Central Otago is progressing ever closer towards a Burgundian model of wine production, according to one of the region’s most respected viticulturists. James Dicey, viticulturist for Mt Difficulty Wines and his own family Ceres Wines, said the region was on the “same journey of discovery” as Burgundy, with an increasing focus on individual vineyard parcels and vine clones for its Pinot Noir wines.
Speaking to the drinks business at New Zealand Wines’ Central Otago tasting in London, Dicey emphasised the importance of soil age on varietal expression in the region.
Australia’s very first Winery InstaMeet attracted more than 60 influencers at Scarborough Wine Co. in the Hunter Valley last weekend. A growing phenomenon across Australia, an InstaMeet sees a group of Instagrammers join forces at a pre-organised location to take photos and videos to post on their social media accounts. Instagram is one of the fastest-growing social platforms in Australia with more than five million monthly users and boasts growth of over 30% in the last year. Scarborough Wine Co. took up the opportunity to connect with a distinct group of enthusiasts and share its Hunter secrets.
Chief winemaker at Sutton Grange Winery in Heathcote, Melanie was announced the winner at the Gourmet Wine Traveller awards night on October 1, which Sutton Grange marketing and events manager Jacqui Sidwell described as a magnificent personal achievement. “Melanie only recently took over the reins at Sutton Grange Winery having previously worked with the Seppelt team at Great Western,” Ms Sidwell said.
One of Australia’s First Families of Wine, McWilliam’s has welcomed a Chardonnay and Shiraz to its flagship range, both of which champion two of NSW’s emerging cool-climate wine regions, Hilltops and Tumbarumba. Hospitality recently caught up with McWilliam’s winemaker manager, Bryan Currie to discuss the release of the new drops and the excitement that surrounds some of Australia’s most promising (and relatively) new wine regions.
A new, free phone app developed by University of Adelaide researchers will help grapegrowers and viticulturists manage their vines by giving a quick measure of vine canopy size and density. The iPad and iPhone app uses the devices’ camera and GPS capability to calculate the size and density of the vine canopy and its location in the vineyard. The aim is to help users monitor their vines and manage the required balance between vegetative growth and fruit production.
The region of Cuyo in west-central Argentina is famous for its vineyards. But it is one of the areas in the country hit hardest by the effects of climate change, such as desertification and the melting of mountain top snow. And local winegrowers have come up with their own way to fight global warming. In the cup, malbec, Argentina’s flagship red wine, still has the same intense flavour and colour.
Assessments of the 2015 harvest in Europe and California vary from the ecstatic to the more measured – but all are agreed that this year will produce something special. There is one unifying factor across almost all wine regions: the excellent harvest weather, allowing vignerons to bring in their grapes as and when they like.