Keynote International Speaker: Dr Daniel Roberts

New Zealand Syrah Workshop

Details of the 4th New Zealand Syrah Workshop have just been announced.

Attached is a brief summary and details of the international keynote speaker.

Full details including a download of the registration form can be found at www.syrahworkshop.co.nz

Welcome to our Keynote International Speaker:
DANIEL ROBERTS, PhD

Integrated Winegrowing, California USA

Dr Daniel Roberts is a specialist in soil science and plant nutrition, with a doctorate from the University of New Hampshire. He is a member of ASEV and SSSA. He has been a board member and technical advisor to AVF. Since 1981, he has worked throughout the vineyards of California, Chile, Argentina, Australia, and Italy. The well-established organisations of Kendall Jackson, Sterling, Field Stone, and Renaissance have all employed his services in the areas of land evaluation, vineyard design, vineyard development, and all aspects of technique management. It is with this solid hands-on industry background that Dr. Roberts decided to form IWG. He has dedicated this unique consortium to guiding vineyards toward the goal of meeting and surpassing the wine industry's ever-increasing standards.

Integrated Winegrowing, a concept brought to life by Daniel Roberts, is a unique configuration of some of the finest scientists and specialists in the 'grapes-from-soil' industry. It is the diversity of their collected knowledge and experience that is designing, nurturing, and guiding some of the nation's leading vineyards toward greater productivity and longevity.

Vineyard Design
Dr. Daniel Roberts has said that he came up with the IWG concept specifically to "develop vineyards with minimum harm to soil and environment for the creation of excellent wines." In order to achieve this purpose, each vineyard design must be unique in that each vineyard's set of parameters differs radically. Functional harmony must exist between what is constructed and the eventual grape product. Other same-area vineyards are viewed and analyzed to avoid pitfalls and discover areas for production improvement. Cost-effective concepts are combined without sacrificing the ability to stand the stringent tests of time. Dr. Roberts describes the design process as the vineyard owner's "one chance to do it right."

“ SYRAH, AN INTRIGUING VARIETY…”

Daniel Roberts is one of the world’s pre-eminent researchers in respect of the viticultural management of Syrah grape vines. He has worked with Syrah in Tuscany (Italy), McLaren Vale (South Australia) and in numerous locations in California (USA). He has visited New Zealand a number of times.

Daniel will discuss vineyard practices in general , with an emphasis on rootstock choices, soils, climate and viticultural management (applicable to NZ’s ‘cool climate’) to regulate the vines natural vigour, potassium uptake, juice Ph, and the resultant effect on improved wine quality.

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DAVE LUNN

Senior Programme Manager (Residues – Plants), Export Standards Group,
New Zealand Food Safety Authority

“Pesticide Residues in Wine – Picking a path through the international minefield”

Dave’s area of responsibility is pesticide residues in plants and plant products, and as such he:
- evaluates residue data for pesticides submitted for registration
- represents New Zealand at the Codex Pesticides Committee
- is a member of the FAO technical assessment group for that Committee
- provides advice to exporters and producer groups on overseas MRLs
- prepares the base data on pesticides used on export wine grapes

Dave Lunn is recognised internationally for his work in food safety.

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Background

The New Zealand Syrah Workshop is held annually to bring together winegrowers in New Zealand to study and improve both viticultural and oenological practices as they apply to the variety Syrah.

The Workshop includes group discussions on current practices, experimental trials being undertaken, and a keynote presentation by an overseas speaker.

Each year winemakers taste, discuss and evaluate recent finished vintages and current barrel samples in a collegial environment with the aim of improving the understanding of the Syrah variety, in the absence of the wine media.

Objectives

1. To bring together growers and winemakers to expand and improve the knowledge of the variety.

2. To encourage the expansion of Syrah plantings as this variety is recognised as one in which New Zealand can excel.

3. To explore the differences and discuss and exchange ideas and practices in confidence with the aim of improving the quality of the finished wines.

4. To discuss and if appropriate promote a New Zealand style to assist in the promotion and marketing of New Zealand Syrah.

5. To keep abreast of developments and practises in other countries by inviting key overseas speakers to address the Workshop.

6. To accomplish the Workshop aims in a relaxed atmosphere of conviviality with friends and good wines.

ENDS

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