Misha's Vineyard

Narrow Goalposts

There was a lot of expectation that the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) would provide a huge boost to New Zealand’s economy and it seemed like the perfect platform to showcase New Zealand’s wonderful food and wine offerings, but the anticipated crowds and their spending didn’t quite meet expectations.

There was certainly going to be an impact in terms of visitor numbers in the South Island after the Christchurch earthquake forced changes to match locations, but even in the North Island, there were only pockets of optimism and enthusiasm around the Cup. Was rugby and wine a perfect match anyway?

Misha provides some insight as to who scored during the RWC.

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Tags: Misha Wilkinson, Misha's Vineyard Wines, mishas vineyard, new zealand wine, NZ Wine, Rugby World Cup, RWC, WBM, wine Business Magazine

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Waipara – Shaken not Stirred

It’s just over a year since the first earthquake hit Christchurch but that September shake was just an aperitif as another was served on the city nearly six months later causing major devastation. In this feature, Misha looks at Waipara – one of New Zealand’s up-and-coming wine regions located just 50 minutes drive north of Christchurch’s main quake zone- to see how they are faring. Although shaken, it seems wineries in the region have not been stirred from their resolve to put Waipara on the tourist map. They now share a stronger commitment than ever in working together as a community to become “the most exciting wine and food region in New Zealand” – their newly adopted mantra.

To read the full article download the PDF version below.

Waipara – Shaken not Stirred – Download PDF

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Tags: Angela Clifford, Misha Wilkinson, Misha's Vineyard Wines, mishas vineyard, new zealand wine, NZ Wine, Paul Donaldson, Waipara, Waipara Valley, WBM, wine Business Magazine

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Trading Places – Part 2

In the second part of this two-part series, Misha’s continues her report from the New Zealand Wine Exporter’s Forum and looks at which markets offer the best opportunity for New Zealand wine exports. With New Zealand’s 2011 harvest increasing yet again, it’s vitally important that exports continue to grow to preserve the premium price positioning New Zealand has achieved.

It seems after government funded research across Europe, New Zealand Winegrowers has identified three countries as ones that hold the best prospects for premium New Zealand wine although like with all markets there are upsides and downsides for each of them. In addition to Europe, it’s hard to ignore the bigger opportunity that’s much closer – China! Although a market fraught with issues, the giant is awakening and there’s no denying it’s an enormous opportunity awaiting those companies prepared to find the right partners, work hard and tackle the market one city at a time.

To read the full article download the PDF version below.

Trading Places – Part 2- Download PDF

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Tags: Misha Wilkinson, Misha's Vineyard Wines, mishas vineyard, NZ Wine, WBM, wine Business Magazine

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Trading Places – Part 1

It’s one of the toughest times for the New Zealand wine industry with production excesses and market dynamics creating risky and volatile trading conditions. Whilst most wine producing nations would consider it a bear market for selling wine, New Zealand is still bullish about its liquid assets and seems better placed than most for a strong recovery.
With New Zealand’s biggest trading partners being the UK, Australia, and the US, rampant currency fluctuations are creating serious fiscal pain for exporters. Added to the exchange rate woes, the 2011 harvest was an unexpected 328,000 tonnes with 23% more grapes being picked than the previous year. However Philip Gregan, Chief Executive Officer of New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) still believes wineries can proceed with “cautious optimism”.
In the first of this two-part feature Misha Wilkinson reports on the biennial New Zealand Wine Exporters’ Forum held recently in Blenheim, Marlborough, and the predictions and opportunities that lay ahead for New Zealand wine.

To read the full article download the PDF version below.

Trading Places – Part 1- Download PDF

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Tags: Chuck Hayward, JJ Buckley, Michael Walton, Misha, Misha Wilkinson, mishas vineyard, new zealand wine, New Zealand Wine Exporters Forum, Nielsen Pacific, Philip Gregan, Social Media, WBM, wine Business Magazine

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A Small Advantage

If small is beautiful, then when you have 631 of New Zealand’s 697 wineries categorized as small, then you’d have to logically conclude that New Zealand wine is essentially…beautiful. Of course that’s no surprise at all for Kiwis but what may be surprising is how small can also be viable – especially in these tougher times!

In the July issue of Wine Business Magazine, Misha looks at four boutique New Zealand vineyards and looks at what makes them different – and successful. If you’re a boutique producer and charging premium prices for your wine, it’s a given that you need to be producing outstanding wine. But in an increasingly competitive marketplace, you also need to have that sector factors, stories and advantages that set you apart as a producer and make your products unique and special.

To read the full article download the PDF version below.

A Small Advantage- Download PDF

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Tags: central otago, Central Otago Pinot Noir, Greywacke, Kevin Judd, Misha, Misha Wilkinson, mishas vineyard, Nick Mills, Rippon, Sam Neill, Two Paddocks, Urlar, WBM, wine Business Magazine

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Excusez-Moi, C’est Syrah!

Why does New Zealand call its wine Syrah when its larger neighbor calls it Shiraz? Are we being a little pretentious, peut-être?

In the June issue of Wine Business Magazine, Misha investigates the origins of this much talked about variety and why it’s creating such a media sensation. Misha talks to winemaker Warren Gibson from Trinity Hill and Bilancia, wine commentator Sam Kim, as well as Steve Skinner from Elephant Hill Estate, to understand why people are even talking about Syrah given so little of it is planted in New Zealand. The question is whether Syrah is ever likely to be New Zealand’s next coup in the world of wine or remain just the domain of artisan producers.

To read the full article download the PDF version below.

Excusez-Moi, C’est Syrah! – Download PDF

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Tags: Elephant Hill Estate, Misha, Misha Wilkinson, mishas vineyard, Sam Kim, Syrah, Trinity Hill, Warren Gibson, WBM, Wine Business Monthly

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A Blanc Check

With another harvest completed in New Zealand and an ever-increasing volume of Sauvignon Blanc, is it a case of too much of a good thing?

In the May issue of Wine Business Magazine, Misha talks to some key figures in the New Zealand wine industry, including Neal Ibbotson from Saint Clair, one of the country’s biggest Sauvignon Blanc producers and Clive Weston from Negociants New Zealand, on their view of the delicate balance of supply versus demand. With increasing production the question is whether New Zealand still has room for growth with its signature variety.

To read the full article download the PDF version below.

A Blanc Check – Download PDF

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Tags: Misha, Misha Wilkinson, mishas vineyard, Negociants, Saint Clair, Sauvignon Blanc, WBM, Wine Business Monthly

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Is Central Otago Pinot as Good as it Gets?

Central Otago is a phenomenon in the wine world – a region that produces an infinitesimal amount of wine in global terms but a region which is not insignificant in terms of its reputation.

In the February edition of Wine Business Magazine Misha looks at whether the quality of its wines live up to the hype! The article explores the region, the organizations and the fast transition from pioneering wine district onto the centre stage of world wines.

To read the full article download the PDF version below.

Is Central Otago Pinot as Good as it Gets? – Download PDF

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Tags: central otago, central otago pinot, Central Otago Pinot Noir, Misha, Misha Wilkinson, misha's, mishas vineyard, new zealand wine, pinot noir, WBM, wine Business Magazine, Wine Business Monthly

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Will the Wet Season End Soon?

Much controversy is generated by the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) rebate that New Zealand wineries can obtain when exporting to Australia. In this November feature, Misha looks at both sides of the WET debate.

Will the Wet Season End Soon? – Download PDF

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Tags: central otago, central otago pinot, Misha, Misha Wilkinson, mishas vineyard, WBM, wine Business Magazine

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8 Tips for Kiwi Exporters

In this October WBM article, Misha explains the issues facing boutique New Zealand wine exporters with regards to time, money and focus and provides some tips for companies planning to export overseas.

Tips for exporters – Download PDF

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Tags: central otago pinot, Misha, Misha Wilkinson, mishas vineyard, pinot noir, WBM, wine Business Magazine

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