Central Otago forges organic farming path

Back in 2009 Central Otago Winegrowers Association (COWA) set the goal of having 20% of the Central Otago vineyard area farmed organically by 2020, a goal they surpassed when they hit 23%. Not wanting to rest on their laurels COWA partnered with Lincoln University for a comprehensive study on achieving 50% of planted area under organic certification by 2030.

The study has isolated the challenges involved and yet also the strengths of the local wine community as this conversion rate gathers pace, with the region well-positioned to solidify its reputation as a global leader in organic, biodynamic and regenerative viticulture.

COWA was delighted to announce in February that they had reached a remarkable milestone: 30% of the region’s vineyard area is now certified organic, the highest proportion in New Zealand.

In my mind this initiative embraces the concept of stewardship: the land was there long before any of us were born, and will continue to be there long after we are gone, so doesn’t it make sense to pass it on in as good a condition as you can? I’ll drink to that!

Open That Bottle Night

American writers Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher founded OTBN in 1999 when they wrote The Wall Street Journal’s wine column, because the most common question they received was some version of this: "I have this bottle from our wedding/my grandfather/an auction that I keep saving for a special occasion. When should I open it?" They could have been channelling Dunedin restaurateur Fred Gianone’s thinking when he hosted a wine tasting late last year with the simple theme: "Why Wait"?

Grasshopper Rock’s Phil Hanford reminded me of OTBN recently which actually falls on the last Saturday in February. I was a touch late as I opened a couple of special bottles to celebrate a birthday a week later, but the idea resonates strongly with me. So many wine enthusiasts keep prized bottles waiting for that special occasion, and they wait, and wait, and wait. Just do it. Make an occasion, make the wine the occasion because as Dorothy wrote "no-one is promised tomorrow". Any night will do, and if you’re flying solo take the opportunity to plan a couple of your favourite dinners and luxuriate in a wine over a couple of evenings. Above all, have fun!