New Zealand Vineyards & Estates Wine Industry and Property News

Trractor runs using vine prunings

A Marlborough wine producer has successfully converted a tractor to run on a completely free, renewable biofuel - its own vine prunings.

The New Zealand Wine Company, which produces the Grove Mill label, decided in early 2008 that the rising cost of diesel warranted a look at other options. It commissioned a prototype tractor to run through 'gasification' - a process where biomass is partly combusted to create a gas which can be used for fuel.

The tractor was successfully converted, proving that it's both possible and practical to power vineyard tractors on the natural by-product of growing vines. Diesel use reduced by 75% and CO2 emissions by just over 0.35 tonnes per hectare, per year - which would equate to 42 tonnes of CO2 per year over the vineyard's 120 hectares.

Between the start and end of the trial the cost of diesel dropped, meaning it's currently more economic to use diesel - but the vineyard has a proven 'escape route' from high fuel prices when they rise again in future.

NZWC has a company ethos of sustainability, and its Grove Mill winery was the first to achieve carboNZero Cert TM certification. The winery worked with Vine Gas Ltd on the tractor prototype, a company set up to promote the use of gasification as a fuel for vineyards.

Lonely Planet rates NZ best 2010 destination

New Zealand has been named one of the top countries to visit in 2010 by Lonely Planet's popular Best in Travel guide.

The annual publication draws on the knowledge of Lonely Planet's staff and authors to highlight some of the best and most inspirational travel experiences from around the globe. In naming New Zealand, the guides authors said there was wisdom in the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and the last time they checked "the land of Maori and hobbits certainly didn't need repairing".

Paragliding over Queenstown, exploring Tongariro National Park, kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park and taking a flight over Fiordland are singled out as "life-changing experiences" by the guide.

NZ achieves $1 billion wine export milestone

New Zealand Winegrowers is pleased to announce the wine industry has achieved its milestone of $1 billion in exports, a year ahead of schedule. Chief executive of New Zealand Winegrowers, Philip Gregan, said the industry exported $1.01 billion of wine in the year to 31 July 2009, according to Statistics New Zealand. $1 billion in wine exports is the equivalent of five bottles per second.

“The phenomenal long-term growth of New Zealand wine exports has been based on a industry-wide commitment to world class quality, in our vineyards, in our wineries and in our marketing and sales efforts.”

A 2009 report from New Zealand Institute of Economic Research showed wine exports have grown at a compound rate of nearly 24% (23.8%) each year for the past 20 years, four times the growth rate for all goods exports. Wine exports represent 2.2% of total goods exports and the industry supports 16,500 full-time jobs. The industry contributes more than $1.5 billion to New Zealand’s GDP.

Ascension Wins International Property Award

CNBC50 Ascension Wine Estate is proud to be New Zealand's only 2009 International Property award winner in the Asia Pacific classification. The award marks another first time winning entry from the team competing in the best mixed use development category. The award further demonstrates Ascension Wine Estates ability to be a world leader when it comes to facilities, brand and vision by this multi award winning team.

29 Aug 2009

Auckland house prices tipped to rocket

Auckland house prices will rise by almost 30 per cent in the next three years putting the city ahead of every other region in New Zealand, a study predicts.

The Infometrics study forecasts annual price growth of 9.8 per cent next year but 9.2 per cent annually overall between now and 2012.

Auckland's coming rise would be fuelled by the city being the largest in New Zealand, with a rising population and a limited supply of new housing.

NZ cleans up in Tri Nations Wine Challenge

As the All Blacks battled our tri-nations rivals on the rugby fields, New Zealand wines have outshone Australian and South African wines at the annual Tri Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney. New Zealand has been named the top country overall, winning eight trophies, 11 double gold medals and 10 gold medals in the competition, which compares the best wines from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

This year New Zealand wines took home the White Wine of Show trophy, as well as the Sparkling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Bordeaux Blends and Dessert Wines trophies.

New Zealand’s representative on the judging panel and Master of Wine (MW) Bob Campbell, said winning the Challenge is a significant achievement for New Zealand as the competition has been dominated by Australian wines each year since its beginnings seven years ago.

“The quality of New Zealand wines entered this year really demonstrates the ongoing evolution of wine quality in New Zealand,” Mr Campbell said.

Residency in New Zealand just got easier

International residents hoping to gain residency under the once onerous Investment scheme will be delighted to know that the New Zealand government have relaxed their entry criteria. Our registered immigration consultant Paul Eggleton has announced that if you satisfy the following criteria you could well be successful in gaining New Zealand residency:

If the principal applicant is under 65 years of age
Has a minimum 3 years business experience in a recognised discipline
Attains a minimum English written and oral language standard
Be able to invest a minimum NZD1.5M in New Zealand for at least 4 years
Has an additional NZD1.0M additional funds available to support themselves
Satisfies character and health requirements
Attains the points selection level

For more information please visit our immigration articles here.

06 Sep 2009

$1b tourism site busy despite receivership

About 600 construction workers are working on-site at the $1 billion Kawarau Falls tourism project near Queenstown, despite it being in receivership.

Chris Hunter, Hawkins Construction chief executive based in Parnell, said the project was one of his firm's largest and he visited it this month.

Of the 600 people on-site, about 300 were working on the Hawkins' job, which is the largest hotel rising on the site, he said.

Quick Property Links

Quick Documents

All About Wine

Feeling Social?