112 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Palliser Estate T T Sue Russell Sustainability drives boutique winery Focusing on sustainability at every level of the operation was the catalyst for Palliser converting to organics many years ago. TFM Tractors are proud to supply Fendt Tractors and Equipment to Palliser Estate For enquiries please contact TFM Tractors on 06 370 0390 CL1298B_V6 04 802 0040 AJG.co.nz Sorting Kiwis’ insurance inWellington. We’ve changed our name to Gallagher! New name. Same expert advice. CL1298B CL AJG transitional ad lower hutt bus central 126.5mm(w) x 60mm(h) V6.indd 1 27/10/23 9:35 AM For over three decades, boutique Wairarapa winery, Palliser Estate has been crafting beautiful, sustainable wines, with a focus on doing what’s right for the land and the people -creating quality, not quantity. The winery is located on the famed Martinborough Terrace, South Wairarapa; a region synonymous with producing exceptional wine, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. CEO Pip Goodwin, has been in the role seven years but a part of the Palliser team for over 18 years. She says that during this time, there has been an intentional change in direction and strategy, to future-proof the business and gain traction into the lucrative premium markets, here and overseas. “Like most industries, we’ve had quite a time of it with Covid, disrupting harvests, impacting shipping, and testing the hospitality part of our business, amongst many other challenges. On top of that, our industry and region continues to be challenged by the changing weather patterns we’re increasingly experiencing due to climate change. Our answer has been to find opportunities to add value for our customers, and focus on a more premium and sustainable business modelPip says. Focusing on sustainability at every level of the operation was the catalyst for Palliser converting to organics many years ago. As a Sustainable Winegrowing NZ accredited vineyard since 1995, and CEMARS (now known as Toitū carbonreduce) accredited in 2009, transitioning to organics was a natural progression although a significant business decision. The business invested heavily in shifting away from the more common wine producing practices. Today, three of Palliser’s six vineyards are BioGro certified organic, with the remaining three in conversion. “This decision has been far-reaching for us. There’s a greater labour requirement given how we nurture our vines, by eliminating synthetic chemical use, instead focusing on soil health and biodiversity. “The result is our wines better reflect the natural qualities of the ground the vines are grown on.” It’s all about creating a sense of ‘place’ that is truly unique to the specific area the grapes are harvested from that is the really exciting part in the journey to date. “Our home is Martinborough, one of the smallest wine regions in Aotearoa, meaning we can never compete with the other regions producing large-scale volumes, so we needed to focus on what was most important to us. “As a result, our wines appeal to the premium consumer, prepared to pay for quality; that’s where our future lies.” Palliser Estate were one of three finalists in the Global Gold export category of this year’s Wellington Gold Awards. “There’s a greater labour requirement given how we nurture our vines, by eliminating synthetic chemical use, instead focusing on soil health and biodiversity. The result is our wines better reflect the natural qualities of the ground the vines are grown on.” Pip says being selected and recognised for the work thus far achieved in developing new export destinations, was hugely rewarding to the team. “We’ve expanded into 26 global markets, and the team worked hard to increase our exports by 38% last year, so it was very gratifying to receive the recognition that we did.” “COVID did impact our export markets, but in some respects its been positive because it’s helped us focus on the higher end of the market where factors such as provenance are more valued and there’s a growing interest in how premium, and organic wine is made.” Palliser Estate celebrates its relative smallness in the New Zealand wine producing sector. The team understand the strength of the business is in the unique single vineyard vintages it produces and Pip says everyone feels very proud of what has been achieved to date, a highlight being a Best in Show at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards. “We have a core team of just over 15,and then in the vineyards we have contract gangs that join the team seasonally. “I love my role because I can literally be doing just about anything on any given day to ensure that everyone is well supported. I call it steering the ship. “We’re very fortunate to have a fine winemaker and viticulturalist in Guy McMaster who came to us from an organic background.” On Palliser Estate’s website Guy explains why the Martinborough Terrace, where the Palliser vineyards are established, produce such excellent wine. In some areas, the old riverbed porous soil runs up to 50m in depth, providing the vine roots with plenty of space to run deeply into the ground, taking up all the qualities and elements the soil has to feed to the vines growing above. Palliser Estate Winery offers a cellar-door and kitchen experience to visitors, where wines can be tasted and a meal enjoyed. It’s a popular destination for weekend long lunches, for events and dining at the Palliser Kitchen is a chance to experience how specific vintages match with particular dishes and flavour profiles. For Pip, who says the great joy of her job is to be surrounded by great people, in an industry which can be challenging, the future of Palliser Estate looks set to strengthen vintage on vintage.
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