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Business Beat: Wine owner's eight country tour; Uber and Big Save eyeing Blenheim? Thu, Jun 26, 2025 3:17 PM Amanda Johnson, owner and managing director of Spy Valley Wines, recently returned from a marathon seven-week, eight-country, one-woman marketing and public relations tour. First stop Dubai, then (via Morocco) on to England, Ireland and Scotland, next up Poland and Norway, before spending two weeks travelling the East Coast of the United States. Though chilly economic winds are ruffling the wine industry in many countries, Johnson has returned feeling positive about the future. “There’s still definitely a great response to good quality...

The 2025 harvest at Spy Valley has wrapped, and with it comes a deep sense of satisfaction from what can only be described as a near-textbook vintage. This season was a masterclass in patience, teamwork, and timing — with beautiful, clean fruit and a full winery to show for it. The growing season began with steady and timely rainfall (392 mm from September to April), setting the vines up with excellent health and vigour. The weather remained cooperative throughout the summer, with consistent warmth (1246 GDD) and no significant heat spikes. Cool nights allowed for the preservation of natural acidity,...

WHILE MANY colleagues returned home when international borders reopened after the first wave of Covid, Alessandro Carraro remained in Marlborough, sensing an opportunity amid the uncertainty. Having completed a bachelor degree in viticulture and oenology at the University of Udine in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine region in north-eastern Italy, Alessandro arrived in New Zealand early in 2020 for a vintage job at Cloudy Bay. While he had done vintages in Italy and Australia, the 2020 vintage in Marlborough, which occurred during the nationwide lockdown, was one for the history books. Read more in the March edition of Winepress: https://www.marlboroughwinenz.com/winepress/march-2025

Gold Pass Tickets   Spy Valley Wines Gold Pass   ‍In 2025, the Gold Pass will become the Spy Valley Wines Gold Pass. One of New Zealand's most successful family-run wineries, the Marlborough-owned Spy Valley Wines, will also be the exclusive wine supplier of the air show. The 3-day Gold Pass provides access to an exclusive area, reserved car parking and other privileges to make your time at Classic Fighters even more enjoyable. Chief among the benefits of the Spy Valley Wines Gold Pass is grandstand seating, which ensures the best view of all the action. A seat is guaranteed.‍In 2025,...