Leadership Reaffirmed for Grape and Wine Industry

For immediate release
12 November 2013

Leadership Reaffirmed for Grape and Wine Industry

New Zealand Winegrowers, the national organisation for the country’s 1,500 grape growers and winemakers, has announced the re-election of Steve Green as Chair and John Clarke as Deputy Chair for a second year.

Mr Green is proprietor of Carrick, a boutique Central Otago winery; he has been involved in the Central Otago grape and wine industry since 1994, has previously served as Chair of Central Otago Winegrowers and has been on the New Zealand Winegrowers Board since 2005.

Mr Clarke is a Gisborne grapegrower with over 30 years' experience in the grape and wine industry. Mr Clarke, who is a former Gisborne Mayor, has previously served for ten years as the Chair of Gisborne Winegrowers and joined the New Zealand Winegrowers Board in 2006.

Commenting on his re-election as Chair of New Zealand Winegrowers Mr Green said “Being elected to the Chair of New Zealand Winegrowers for a second year by my industry peers and colleagues is a huge honour. I look forward to continuing to work with Deputy Chair John Clarke, the Board as a whole, and our management team led by CEO Philip Gregan.

Mr Green said he is optimistic about the future for New Zealand wine. “The sector has been through tough times in the last few years, but we are definitely seeing signs of improvement including the first signs of new vineyard plantings."

"A key success factor for us will be for all parts of the industry – growers, regions and wineries – to continue to work together through New Zealand Winegrowers in the interests of the New Zealand wine category and the sector as a whole.”

-ENDS-

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