WinePro NZ 2026 Conference Schedule
Tuesday June 23
10am - WinePro NZ Exhibition opens
Session 1: 11am - 12pm
Room 1
MPI – Export Growth and the Forecasts for NZ Primary Producers
Presented by
Terry Copeland – Programme Director Export Growth, MPI
New Zealand’s primary sector is a cornerstone of the export economy, and the wine industry stands out as one of its most globally recognized success stories. Presented by Terry Copeland, Programme Director Export Growth at MPI, this session will explore how broader export growth trends and forecasts are shaping the outlook for primary producers in the wine industry and how MPI is working to support the Primary Industry sectors achieve their goals. Terry has significant experience across the wine industry having previously held many senior roles and in other primary sector organisations such as Federated Farmers and Young Farmers.
Session 2: 1pm - 2pm
Room 1
Dealing with the Now
Presented by
Ormond Nurseries – Sam and Marcus Wickham
RMA Consultant – Ed Chapman Cohen
Vineyard Removals – Matt Gale
Dealing with the Now is a hands-on working session focused on the immediate, practical decisions facing growers and vineyard businesses today.
This session concentrates on “what can be done now” by bringing together three grounded viewpoints:
• Planting decisions from a commercial nursery perspective
• Regulatory realities from an RMA consultant
• Exit or reconfiguration strategies from a vineyard removal specialist
The session is designed to give attendees clarity, direction, and confidence to act in the current environment.
Room 2
From Process to Performance:
Improving Efficiency and Quality Together
Presented by
Vintech Pacific, with Dr Aaron Low from Amaea (High-speed, low-energy cold stabilisation with Amaea CSx)
This session explores how targeted process innovation can simultaneously deliver efficiency gains and measurable quality improvements in wine production.
Using Amaea’s new cold stabilisation process and earlier work with MIPS filtration technology as case studies, the session demonstrates how re‑thinking established operations can unlock performance improvements without compromising wine style or integrity.
Session 3: 3pm - 4pm
Room 1
New Product and Taste Development
in Beer, Wine and Adjacent Products
Presented by
Dr Peter Bircham, Head of Research and Development – Garage Project and Dr Amanda Dupas de Matos | Senior Research Officer – Food Experience and Sensory Testing (Feast) Lab
This workshop will explore how beverage R&D is evolving in response to changing consumer preferences, particularly around flavour, format, and occasion.
With a focus on novel beverages and new product development, the session will highlight an area that has seen significant innovation in beer and alternative beverages, but remains relatively underexplored in wine.
A mix of technical and practical, the workshop will offer insights into how new beverage concepts are developed, from identifying consumer trends through to experimentation and launch while acknowledging the different production cycles and constraints across categories.
Room 2
Shared Knowledge, Shared Future:
Is Collaboration Still at the Heart of the Wine Industry?
Presented by
Jane Hunter, Hunter’s Wines
Lan Zhang, Vinarchy
This session brings together two early pioneers and two emerging leaders under 30 to explore how collaboration has shaped the wine industry – both in its formative years and in today’s rapidly changing environment.
Through shared stories and contrasting perspectives, the panel examines whether collaboration remains a defining strength of the industry, and how it must evolve to stay relevant for the next generation.
Wednesday June 24
10am - WinePro NZ Exhibition opens
Session 1: 11am - 12pm
Room 1
Smarter Growing:
The True Drivers of Vineyard Efficiency
More information about this session coming soon.
Room 2
Getting to Market vs. Getting Bought
Presented by
Rod Smith, MD Engagement Group, Morvan McAuley, Tradecraft (Seller, Distributor)
Getting wine into market doesn’t guarantee it will sell. This session brings together a merchandiser, a label design company, and a distribution expert to talk through what really influences buying decisions at the point of sale. From shelf layout and packaging to ranging and distribution realities, the discussion focuses on the practical things that help a product stand out, get noticed, and get bought.
Session 2: 1pm - 2pm
Room 1
Reducing Diesel & Labour:
Powering a Smarter Vineyard
Presented by
Tim Curr, Business Development & Product Support Manager – TRS Wholesale Limited and Gary Peek, Founder and Director – Peek Robotics
Rising fuel costs, labour shortages, sustainability pressures, and tighter spray windows are forcing vineyards to rethink how critical work gets done.
This session shares learnings from real‑world use of the world’s first commercially available fully electric sprayers for vineyard and orchard use, highlighting where genuine efficiency gains are being made — including reduced diesel use, lower spray waste, and decreased labour and admin demands. It also tackles the realities of wider adoption, such as equipment compatibility, charging infrastructure, and managing change in busy vineyard operations.
Focused on practical outcomes rather than theory, this session hosted by TRS Wholesale Limited and Peek Robotics offers growers and wine companies a balanced view of what’s working, what still needs solving, and how technology can progressively support more efficient and resilient vineyard businesses.
Room 2
Margin Analysis:
How Do I Know I am Selling my Product for
the Maximum Value Possible?
Presented by
John Wilson, JPEW
More information about this session coming soon.
Session 3: 3pm - 4pm
Room 1
Your Customer’s have Changed:
Has your Digital Strategy?
Presented by
Morven McAuley, Strategist – Tradecraft
Today’s customers don’t behave the way they did even three years ago. They discover brands differently, make decisions differently, and expect experiences that feel personal, immediate, and effortless. In this fast‑shifting landscape, relying on old marketing playbooks means being left behind.
In this session, Morven McAuley reveals how digital tools, data, and smarter customer engagement can help wine brands stay visible, relevant, and connected. From targeting to storytelling to conversion, you’ll learn what actually works now and how to evolve your strategy to meet customers where they are, not where they used to be.
A wake‑up call for anyone serious about growth.
Room 2
From Data to Decisions:
Turning Climate Research and Intelligence into Vineyard Action
Presented by
Dr Damien Martin – BSI, Dr Pete Taylor – Auxein
Exciting Session Coming Soon.
Thursday June 25
10am - WinePro NZ Exhibition opens
Session 1: 11am - 12pm
Room 1
Panel Session
The Vineyard Property Market: Where are we Now?
Presented by
Mike Poff – Property Brokers (Sales), Hadley Hayward (Valuer)
Hosted by a three local experts: a sales expert, a valuer, and a viticulturist, this session offers a grounded, 360‑degree view of the vineyard property market.
The panel explores current market conditions, pricing and valuation signals, and how vineyard performance, location, and long‑term viability are influencing buyer and seller decisions. Attendees will gain practical insight into what’s driving value – and risk – in today’s vineyard property landscape.
Room 2
Electrification:
Is this Only an Option for Wineries and How Can You Take Advantage of This?
Presented by
Liz Webb – Moderator
This session explores the value of different sustainability certifications and accreditations and asks which ones really matter, to whom, and what is the impact on both market access and brand?
Session 2: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Room 1
Strategy, Structure, and Scale:
The Zespri Experience
Presented by
Dave Scullin, Chief Digital Officer – Zespri Limited
In this session, Dave Scullin (Zespri) reflects on what has worked well in Zespri’s business and how the organisation has built scale and resilience over time.
He will outline the direction of Zespri’s 2035 strategy, including how its structure and operating model continue to support global market performance.
The session will also look at how AI, data, and other emerging disruptors are changing the way Zespri plans, manages supply and demand, and makes decisions across the business.
Room 2
Are we Shipping Away Quality and Margin by Bottling Offshore?
Presented by
Peter Crowe – WineWorks & Jaron McLeod – QuayConnect
With increasing cost pressures and evolving supply chains, offshore bottling has become an important strategic option for many wine businesses.
This session brings together perspectives from WineWorks, as a leading bottler, and a port operator, to examine whether bottling offshore is delivering genuine value—or quietly eroding quality, margin, and brand equity.
The discussion focuses on real‑world trade‑offs, logistics realities, and the long‑term implications for the New Zealand wine industry.