Research centre plans ‘experimental vineyard’

A new wine research centre in Marlborough plans to use some of its multimillion-dollar start-up money to develop an ‘‘experimental future vineyard’’.

The Marlborough Research Centre received $3.79 million in 2020 through the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to build a new ‘‘centre of excellence’’ in Blenheim, next to the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) campus.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern officially opened the New Zealand Wine Centre/te Whare a¯ Waina Aotearoa yesterday, accompanied by Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene. Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash was due to attend.

‘‘The New Zealand Wine Centre will help our already worldrenowned wine producers stay ahead of global trends in wine by developing new products and helping to tackle issues such as the impact of climate change on the sector,’’ Nash said in a statement.

‘‘The winemaking sector has a huge impact on the national and regional economy, and accounts for one in five jobs in the Marlborough region.

‘‘The most recent Marlborough Regional Workforce Plan projects a job growth of 17% for the wine industry, and the wine centre will support the development of specialist skills needed for new high-skilled jobs.’’

Nash said the Government was also supporting the viticulture sector by allowing a further 3000 seasonal workers to come to New Zealand, providing workforce relief to the wine sector. ‘‘I’m proud to see such a centre of excellence be based in the heart of New Zealand wine country, Marlborough, where over three quarters of our exported wines are produced.

‘‘Like many a fine wine, our viticulture and winemaking industries continue to grow economically over time and are now one of our country’s biggest export earners.

‘‘Currently bringing in nearly $2 billion a year, these exports will only continue to grow as our new FTAS with the UK and EU come into force, providing even greater economic security to New Zealanders,’’ Nash said.

The Marlborough Research Centre had requested $770,000 of the existing $3.79 million investment be put towards the construction and development of a new state-of-the-art ‘‘Experimental Future Vineyard’’.

‘‘It’s fantastic to see the plan for the Experimental Future Vineyard, which I know will be a huge asset to our winemaking industry, and help foster cuttingedge Kiwi innovation,’’ Nash said. ‘‘It will support sustainable growth in the sector by making use of automation and robotic technologies to prepare for a digital future. This will bring our local winemakers to a whole new level.

‘‘The Wine Centre and Experimental Future Vineyard confirm

Marlborough’s place as the preeminent location for research and innovation for New Zealand’s wine industry, attracting local and international talent.’’