Marlborough scientist Mike Trought started working at the Marlborough Research Centre when it opened in 1984. He was heavily involved in the development of the Marlborough wine industry, researching yield prediction, inter-row planting, disease mitigation and the effects of climate change.
Much of Trought’s research went on to be widely adopted by wine producers. “It’s always a bit scary when you see industry adopt something you’ve worked on. Especially when they turn around and do 3000 hectares,” he said.

Wine exports increased by 6.4 per cent in volume and by 10.5 per cent in value in the 12 months to September, says rural lending specialist Rabobank. Exports in September fell by 5 per cent in volume but increased by 12.2 per cent in value compared with the same month last year, illustrating the support that the short 2015 harvest and lower New Zealand dollar is providing to pricing, the bank said.

Get ready for 2008, Mr Champagne says. It is approaching fast and set to be a great year. One of the best. Mr Champagne is aware we are on the cusp of 2016 and that the year of the Beijing Olympics is so last decade. He’s talking about the 2008 vintage, which champagne houses are releasing now to hit the all-important festive season. Bottles from this vintage are set to be far better than 2006 vint¬ages, still widely available.

Balhannah’s Shaw + Smith winery has taken out the top accolade at this year’s Adelaide Hills Wine Show. Described by judges as “a unique Hill Shiraz style”, the 2014 Shaw + Smith Shiraz took out the trophies for Best Wine of the Show and Best Shiraz of the Show. The winery was also named Best Large Producer of the Show. Commenting of this year’s finest drop, chairman of judges Dan Buckle said that it was very exciting to see the Adelaide Hills develop its own unique regional Shiraz.

The future of wine exports to South China and Hong Kong formed a large part of talks that have taken place between the Hunter’s tourism representatives and the state government’s trade representative for part of Asia. Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association chairman, and former state MP for the Upper Hunter, George Souris met with the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for South China and Hong Kong Cher Jones in the Hunter’s wine region last week.

Woolworths Limited Group has appointed Tim Rice its new head of wine – BWS. The appointment was an internal one, with Rice making the move from Dan Murphy’s, where he was head of beer. Prior to that, he was the business manager of wine for Dan Murphy’s. Rice has worked for Woolworths Limited Group in different capacities for 19 years, bringing extensive knowledge into his new role in the BWS division.

A dozen wine industry professionals from across Australia have raised thousands of dollars and ridden hundreds of kilometres in a safe-drinking fundraiser. But the Wine Peloton’s seven-day cycling tour through Tasmania’s grape growing districts was tough going for many of the riders. “I can tell you the legs hurt and the bum hurts,” winemaker Drew Tuckwell said.