Production keeps growing

Press, 23 June 1978, Page 7

Production keeps growing

(By

MAURICE HUNTER)

On August 24. 1973, 200 people gathered at Montana’s Fairhall vineyard for the traditional vine planting ceremony at which the Rev Father John Sloane gave the blessing with tbe words, “Lord, bless all the people involved in this project . .

. may its fruits be wisely used by men. . On March 15, 1976, the first 15 tons of Riesling Sylvaner was picked by hand. In April of this year I rode up and down two rows of vines on a giant mechanical harvester which rumbled along, straddling the row and picking at the rate of six tons an hour. No official production figures are available for 1977 or 1978, but information released by the Department of Statistics show that production from South Island vineyards in 197" was 799,000 litres — 692-000 higher than 1976. It is a reasonably safe bet to assume that almost all of it was due to the Montana effort. The esti-

mate for the 1978 crop is two and a half times that of 1977.

It was fortunate in being able to call on MiJack Mathieson, the company’s public relations officer, who devoted three hours to a conducted tour of my party covering all aspects of the Blenheim operation.

Apart from the obvious job satisfaction and the enthusiasm of the work force, under the direction of the manager, Mr John Clark, the efficiency throughout is most impressive. Within half an hour of being picked the grapes are delivered to the winery for pressing where the quality control chemist, Miss Rosemary Butler, gives instructions for the correct procedure to prevent oxidation during pressing and up to fermentation. One man is employed to keep the immense area of vineyards clean and it is difficult to find a weed. In the nursery and propagation shed, under the con-

trol of the horticulturist, Miss Irene Ross, thousands of grafts and cut- ; tings are lined up in pots and propagating beds ready for the extended plantings which are constantly taking place. The original purchase of 2000 acres has been reduced to about 1500, 480 of i which are planted. But the ! rest of the land is not allowed to lie idle. The company also employs a farm manager and four assistants who, until the area is required for grapes, raise sheep, crop lucerne, wheat, bar- I ley and oats and grow pea. bean and onion seed under contract. This year they even grew 300 . tons | of garlic, 100 tons of which was exported. It is not yet possible for travellers to buy wine at the winery but work has . begun on an attractively ; landscaped area where it I will be possible for vis- I stors to enjoy a relaxed I picnic lunch or barbecue I meal accompanied, of ’ course, by a glass of Bien- | heim wine.