WinePRO 2024 Conference
The WinePRO 2024 conference is co-located onsite with the expo and focuses on three key pillars:
Elevate, Innovate, and Celebrate.
The program has been developed with input from peers working within the sector and offers something for
everyone. If you would like to register for the conference, click below.
Conference Schedule
Monday June 24
Grape Days Marlborough at ASB Theatre - presented by Bragato Research Institute
Tuesday June 25
10am - WinePRO Exhibition opens
Session 1: 11am - 12pm
Stream 1
Electric Cherries! What about electric wine?
Presented by Mike Casey from Rewiring Aotearoa
Mike will explain how he has electrified his entire cherry orchard down to the individual 21 machines with all the raw facts and figures around the gains and pains he’s experienced. He is keen to share and is hoping to grow a new food category together. Electric cherries, and now electric wine.
Stream 2
AI in Wine
Presented by Rachel O’Shea from Yabble
See global use cases for AI in wine from research and innovation to international markets and beyond.
Stream 3
Current economic snapshot – Brought to you by Bayleys
Presented by Mike Jones, BNZ Chief Economist
A snapshot of the current economic climate along with some educated forecasts for the future.
Session 2: 1pm - 2pm
Stream 1
Doubling Export Value
Presented by Jenny Cameron, MPI’s Chief Transformation Officer
What is the government’s roadmap to doubling export value
Stream 2
Succession Planning – Brought to you by Bayleys
Presented by Andrew Martin (Marty) from Strategic Specialists Group
Discussion followed by an open Q&A session on everything you need to know around succession planning in the viticulture and rural industry.
Session 3: 3pm - 4pm
Stream 1
Disrupting the Commodity Apple Market
Presented by Julian Smith
from Rockit Apple
Rockit Apple case study on disrupting the commodity apple global market with a consumer led brand.
Stream 2
Housing Crisis
Presented by Sam Stubbs from Simplicity
Why the future is better than many think, and how to fix our housing crisis.
Stream 3
Current economic snapshot – Brought to you by Bayleys
Presented by Mike Jones, BNZ Chief Economist
A snapshot of the current economic climate along with some educated forecasts for the future.
Wednesday June 26
10am - WinePRO Exhibition opens
Session 1: 11am - 12pm
Stream 1
New Zealand – we are a superpower
Presented by David Downs of the
New Zealand Story
NZ’s international reputation is one of our core strengths, and for more than you’d expect. However we also have to work to retain (and earn) the reputation we have in the world.
Hear what we know about other’s perceptions of NZ, and what we can all do to build on those perceptions, while we tell our uniquely New Zealand Story.
Stream 2
Vineyard redevelopment – Brought to you by Bayleys
Presented by Stuart Dudley and selected viticulture industry panel
Everything you need to know around the vineyard re-development process. Guideline of the do’s and don’ts.
Stream 3
Reinventing Fining
Presented by Jonathan Engle of amaea joined by;
Panelists:
Duncan Shouler, Director of Winemaking at Giesen Group
Torey Arvik, VP of Applied Research at amaea
Guy Rutledge, Managing Director at Vintech Pacific
Dean Boyce, Winemaker at Indevin
Learn about the latest in sustainable alternatives for single-use fining agents and the technological advancements empowering winemakers to tailor the sensory characteristics of their wines, with precision – and, without the excessive waste.
Session 2: 1pm - 2pm
Stream 1
Climate and viticulture
Presented by Dr Jim Salinger, Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2024
Seasonal changes in climate and how this affects viticulture: Building resilience.
Stream 2
Understanding the wine industry’s workforce
Presented by Amanda Reid, Principal Consultant, BERL
A national wine industry research project has discovered common themes in wine industry workforce trends across NZ and Australia.
Project lead, Amanda Reid from BERL will discuss the findings and draw on her experience about the skills the industry needs more of.
Session 3: 3pm - 4pm
Stream 1
Future Labour Challenges
Presented by Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley
The future demography of regions will continue to change with implications for labour supply. What will New Zealand’s population look like in 2038 and are New Zealand’s rural and primary sectors prepared for this?
Stream 2
What’s the Buzz with Circular Economy?
Presented by Jim White, Cloudy Bay and Chair Marlborough Circular Wine, & Tracey Marshall, Pernod Ricard, New Zealand
What is the circular economy and what does it mean for the wine industry? What behaviors is it driving, internationally and locally? What do consumers think?
Stream 3
Vineyard redevelopment – Brought to you by Bayleys
Presented by Stuart Dudley and selected viticulture industry panel
Everything you need to know around
the vineyard re-development process.
Guideline of the do’s and don’ts.
Thursday June 27
10am - WinePRO Exhibition opens
Session 1: 10.30am - 11.30am
Stream 1
NZ Wine Industry Overview
Presented by John Wilson of JPEW
An overview of the challenging landscape of NZ wine.
Stream 2
What’s in a Certification Logo
(Extended Session)
Presented by B-Corp, NZEE, SWNZ –
panelists to be announced
Who are we trying to influence? The gatekeepers, the consumer, those inputting info or all the above.
Stream 3
Australian Grape and Wine Industry Research Priorities
Presented by Dr Samantha Scarratt, Wine Network Consulting and Dr Tony Robinson, AWRI
This presentation will provide an overview of the research priorities that are guiding the Australian wine industry’s efforts to address industry challenges and ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Australian wine.
Session 2: 12pm - 1pm
Stream 1
Automation in Agriculture
Presented by Josh McCulloch, Autonabit,
Andrew Kersley, Smart Machine
& Brock Campbell, Cloudy Bay
What is the problem trying to be solved? Where are we now with automation? Does it reduce our labour needs? What are our expectations, what is the big dream, and where could it go?
Stream 2
Session above continues.
Stream 3
Challenging Landscape of NZ Wine – Q&A
Presented by John Wilson of JPEW
John has a broad range of FMCG experience and believes that the alignment of key business functions, through planning and collaboration, are key ingredients to optimise financial success. So let’s ask questions.
Session 3: 1pm - 2pm
Stream 1
Pathways of Leadership
Presented by Lisa Rogers from the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust
We need a steady pipeline of leaders coming through in all areas of a business if we want to maintain a vibrant and thriving sector.
Stream 2
The Frugal Bottle Revolution
Video from Frugalpac with Malcolm Waugh CEO
Supported in person by Mother of Pearl and Mothers Ruined to explain their story
Learn about the Frugal Bottle – the world’s first paper bottle for wines and spirits that cuts carbon by 84%
Andrew Martin,
Mike Jones,
Stuart Dudley
3 session topics brought to you by Bayleys
Tuesday: 11am, 1pm and 3pm,
Wednesday: 11am and 3pm
Succession Planning then Breakout session
Vineyard Redevelopment and Breakout session
Current economic snapshot
Mike Casey
Rewiring Aotearoa
Tuesday: 11am
Electric Cherries! What about electric wine?
Rachel O’Shea
Yabble
Tuesday: 11am
AI in Wine
Jenny Cameron
MPI’s Chief Transformation Officer
Tuesday: 1pm
Doubling Export Value
Julian Smith
Rockit Apple
Tuesday: 3pm
Disrupting the Commodity Apple Market
Sam Stubbs
Simplicity
Tuesday: 3pm
Housing Crisis
David Downs
New Zealand Story
Wednesday: 11am
New Zealand – we are a superpower
Jonathan Engle
Market Development Lead, amaea
With over thirty years of business experience, Jonathan’s commercial acumen is shaped by his curiosity and acute understanding of the value of technology and its application to the unit economics for companies, consumers, and clients. As the Market Development Lead for amaea, he is focused on ensuring technological developments not only align to business performance and product quality but are deeply rooted in its respect for the nature, science and art of wine.
Wednesday: 11am
Reinventing Fining
Amanda Read
BERL
Wednesday: 1pm
Understanding the wine industry’s workforce
Dr Jim Salinger
Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2024
Wednesday: 1pm
Climate and Viticulture
Paul Spoonley
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Wednesday: 3pm
Future Labour Challenges
Panellists to be announced
B-Corp, NZEE, BioGro, SWNZ
Thursday: 10.30am – 1pm (extended session)
What’s in a Certification Logo?
John Wilson
JPEW
Thursday: 10.30am and 12noon
NZ Wine Industry Overview & Challenging Landscape of NZ Wine – Q&A
Dr Samantha Scarratt
Director AWITC and Senior Consultant, Wine Network Consulting
Thursday: 10.30am
Australian Grape and Wine Industry Research Priorities
Dr Samantha Scarratt
Director AWITC and Senior Consultant, Wine Network Consulting
Dr Samantha Scarratt is a highly respected expert in Australian and New Zealand viticulture, holding a PhD in Vineyard Ecology from Lincoln University.
In her current role as a Senior Consultant for Wine Network Consulting, Samantha works with wine businesses on a range of projects across Australia and New Zealand. Her extensive experience includes roles as Accolade’s Director of grape supply across Australia and New Zealand, as well as various positions at Wither Hills (Lion) in Marlborough, ranging from technical viticulture and vineyard management to leading the viticultural department. Samantha’s research focuses on sustainable winegrowing practices, and she actively contributes to the Australian Wine industry through her involvement in the Research Advisory Committee for Australian Grape & Wine, the Wine Industry Mentor program, and as a regular speaker at industry events. As a Director of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) and the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference (AWITC), Samantha plays a key role in shaping the future of the Australian wine industry.
Thursday: 10.30am
Australian Grape and Wine Industry Research Priorities
Dr Tony Robinson
Director AWITC and GM Business Development, The Australian Wine Research Institute
Thursday: 10.30am
Australian Grape and Wine Industry Research Priorities
Dr Tony Robinson
Director AWITC and GM Business Development, The Australian Wine Research Institute
Dr Tony Robinson is a highly accomplished wine industry professional with over two decades of experience in research, industry policy, viticultural management, and winemaking.
He holds a PhD in Science (Oenology) and is recognised for his integrated industry perspective, passion for research, and collaborative drive. As a winemaker, Tony has produced wines for innovative and award-winning brands, while as a researcher, he has published peer-reviewed papers on wine chemistry and sensory science. In his current role as the General Manager of Business Development at the Australian Wine Research Institute, Tony actively contributes to the industry through his involvement in various Australian wine industry forums and committees. He has served as a Director of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO), the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference (AWITC), and as a Councillor for the Royal Adelaide Wine Show, demonstrating his commitment to the technical advancement of the Australian wine industry.
Thursday: 10.30am
Australian Grape and Wine Industry Research Priorities
Josh McCulloch, Autonabit
Andrew Kersley, Smart Machine
Brock Campbell, Cloudy Bay
Thursday: 12noon
Automation in Agriculture
Lisa Rogers
New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust
Thursday: 1pm
Pathways of Leadership
Malcolm Waugh
Frugalpac
Thursday: 1pm
The Frugal Bottle Revolution