2024 Program
Acknowledgment / Welcome to Country
Jacqui Wandin, Coranderrk
Intro, welcome, overview of theme
Meg Brodtmann MW, President – Wine Yarra Valley
Angus Hughson, Founder & Publisher – Vinous
Session 1
Clone protection - P58 project
Presenter:
Nick Dry, Viticulturist – Foundation Viticulture
Nick Dry has been working on a Wine Australia project for the last two years; The National Grapevine Collection. The National Grapevine Collection is a multifaceted project which is partly aimed at coordinating Australia’s physical grapevine germplasm collections but also aims to facilitate grapevine enhancement projects. One of the grapevine enhancement projects Nick has been working on is to improve the phytosanitary and identity status of Chardonnay clone P58. This project was initiated and has been by funded by Pinnacle Drinks/Oakridge Wines with technical support from Affinity labs/AWRI.
P58 (aka ‘Penfolds 58’ or just ‘Penfolds’) is widely recognised and appreciated by winemakers in premium Chardonnay regions. P58 however is a bit of an enigma, firstly, its background is unknown with some sources pointing to a Hunter Valley origin- although this has never been confirmed. In addition, P58 carries leaf-roll virus 2- which while not the worst leaf-roll virus, does impact on vine health in established vineyards, but also significantly impacts propagation success in the nursery.
Nick will provide an update on the progress of the P58 project along with observations on local and global trends in Chardonnay clone use.
AgTech Update
Presenter:
Andy Clark, Agtech Program Manager – Wine Australia
Non chemical disease control – global Ultra violet developments
Autonomous vehicles – opportunities now and tomorrow
Drought resilience, including technology feedback from Josef Chromy this year (across Pinot Noir and Chardonnay).
Sustainability in the Vineyard
Presenters:
Michelle McManus – Head of Sustainability, Voyager Estate
Tim Shand – Winemaker, Voyager Estate
Voyager Estate's journey in and commitment to sustainability.
Panel Discussion:
Sustainability in the Vineyard
Presenters:
Michael Brajkovich, Winemaker – Kumeu River Wines
Michelle McManus – Head of Sustainability, Voyager Estate
Tim Shand – Winemaker, Voyager Estate
What has evolved in vineyard practices? Lessons, wins and challenges.
Session 2
Redox Potential and the Formation of Volatile Sulfur Compounds During Chardonnay Fermentation
Presenter:
Prof Roger Boulton – Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Enology
University of California, Davis
The unpredictable nature and somewhat random incidence of reductive character formation during wine fermentations continues to be poorly understood. There is considerable evidence that the formation of thiol formation can only occur under conditions when the redox potential of the fermentation is low enough to favor the formation of hydrogen sulphide from elemental sulfur residues and the conversion of sulphate to sulphite and sulphide. The redox potential, and the changes in it, are affected by factors such as the juice composition, yeast strain and temperature, and may be related to site, rootstock, cultivar, clone, season and practices. Commercial trials in which the redox potential was controlled have essentially eliminated the formation of hydrogen sulfide in the presence of elemental sulphur during Chardonnay fermentations. While hydrogen sulphide is the predominant thiol produced during fermentation, it is expected to be a marker of other thiol formation, such as the ethyl- and methyl- thiols and the related phenyl- and furan- derivatives that are impact compounds in flint-struck character. The backbone of the redox potential in juice and wine is related to the iron and glutathione content of the juice. These components are also players in the autoxidation of wine and its response to dissolved oxygen, that is oxidation. The aim of this presentation is to provide winemakers with a better understanding of the nature of the redox potential in juice and wine and the fermentation conditions that are enabling thiol formation.
Q&A with Prof Roger Boulton
Research Update:
AWRI research on flint and sulphide
Presenter:
Tracey Siebert, Research Scientist - AWRI
Panel Discussion:
Vessel Chat
Presenters:
Tim Shand – Winemaker, Voyager Estate
Sam Connew – Winemaker, Stargazer Wine
Explore variations on sizes, materials, shapes, lining, etc. Explore how these impact the end result. Discuss benefits/challenges. Open to the floor for discussion with roaming mic.
Panel Discussion:
Worldview - Evolution of style.
Presenters:
Michael Brajkovich, Winemaker – Kumeu River Wines
Dr Jamie Goode, Wine Journalist, Lecturer, Author
Brian Freedman, Wine, Spirits, Food & Travel Writer
How Chardonnay varies around the world.
Session 3
The Cult(ure) of Chardonnay, and how to actually sell it
Presenter:
Richard Hemming MW, Head of Wine, Asia - 67 Pall Mall
Chardonnay has gone beyond a grape, becoming an ingrained part of popular culture. It enjoys instant recognition in everything from song lyrics to movies, while as a wine it can be both the most desired and the most derided. From its literal small-town beginnings to its critter-brand ubiquity, Richard Hemming will deliver a seminar on the pros and cons of Chardonnay’s fame, focusing on how to market a style that can be so difficult to differentiate. Drawing on his experience at 67 Pall Mall Singapore, with its list of over 550 Chardonnays, Richard will share practical, real-world advice on how to sell in a Chardonnay-soaked market.
Panel Discussion:
How does the world view Australian Chardonnay?
Presenters:
Richard Hemming MW, Head of Wine, Asia – 67 Pall Mall
Dr Jamie Goode, Wine Journalist, Lecturer, Author
Kate McIntyre MW, Director Wine Business – Moorooduc Estate
David LeMire MW, Co-CEO – Shaw + Smith
Perceptions of AU wines from international markets. What does well and why does it do well? Has it evolved over time?
Market insights
Presenters:
Gabrielle Poy – Prince Wine Store
Chris Crawford – Group General Manager of Beverage, Crown Resorts
Annette Lacey MW, Group Beverage Manager – Solotel
Market insights – for the 'other 30%' of the market (ie small, independent brands, on-premise, how to get recognition in a crowded market, etc).
Q&A with both Panels:
How does the world view Australian Chardonnay? Market Insights.
Presenters:
Richard Hemming MW, Head of Wine, Asia – 67 Pall Mall
Dr Jamie Goode, Wine Journalist, Lecturer, Author
Kate McIntyre MW, Director Wine Business – Moorooduc Estate
David LeMire MW, Co-CEO – Shaw + Smith
Gabrielle Poy – Prince Wine Store
Chris Crawford – Group General Manager of Beverage, Crown Resorts
Annette Lacey MW, Group Beverage Manager – Solotel
Thank you on behalf of Wine Yarra Valley
Meg Brodtmann MW, President – Wine Yarra Valley
Close and other acknowledgments
Angus Hughson, Founder & Publisher – Vinous