WINEMAKERS WARNED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30451, 27 May 1964, Page 3

WINEMAKERS WARNED

‘Amalgamate To Survive’ (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 26. Experimental distillation of brandy, recently authorised by the Government, has led to a decision to form a winegrowers co-operative company to safeguard the future of the smaller producers. The president of the Viticultural Association of New Zealand, Mr G. Mazuran said in his report to the annual meeting that unless the smaller producers amalgamated it would be “only a matter of time before most of them ceased to exist as winemakers.” Some members of the industry who had been against the distillation of brandy were today in the scramble for a licence, said Mr Mazuran. The co-operative company would not only distil brandy but make, blend and distribute the wines of its members. The last year had seen the amalgamation of larger growers with wholesale merchants and the establishment of an overseas wine company in New Zealand. There was a tremendous struggle going on in the industry for better positions within the limits of the marketing structure. Mr Mazuran predicted difficult marketing problems for most producers, including the larger concerns. He said it was imperative for smaller producers to improve the quality of their product each .year and to amalgamate into a strong co-bpera-tive company.