The past year has been one of considerable change and uncertainty for Marlborough’s wine industry. The challenge of bringing supply back into balance with demand has affected growers, wineries, suppliers and the wider community, requiring difficult decisions and careful consideration of what comes next. While the pressures are real, this period has also provided an opportunity to get clear about what matters most and where we need to focus our efforts.
We are Unmistakably Marlborough. If there is a positive to come from the current challenges, it is the clarity they have brought to our purpose and vision. During the year, the Wine Marlborough Board adopted a new strategy through to 2029, centred on the recognition of Marlborough as the home of the world’s most distinctive and valued Sauvignon Blanc. This is an energising ambition and gives us a clear direction for the work we do on behalf of our members.
Our role is to protect and build the reputation of Marlborough’s wine region, support our members through change, and ensure the value of what we produce is understood and recognised. In a difficult trading environment, that work matters more than ever.