This week we headed to Marlborough for the Organic & Biodynamic Winegrowing Conference. And wow - what an incredible few days.
Big Ideas. Real Conversations.
The speaker line-up was next level:
- Rajat Parr, who reminded us that great wine starts with great soil.
- Katia Nussbaum painted a picture of what’s possible when vineyards live alongside native plants.
- Joseph Brinkley gave us the inside scoop on running one of the biggest regenerative organic wineries in the U.S.
- And Dr Mike Joy pulled no punches when it came to protecting New Zealand’s water.
Every talk was a mix of science, soul, and straight talk. It was impossible not to leave inspired.
Digging Deep – In More Ways Than One
Workshops went beneath the surface - literally. Soil health, composting, cover crops, microbes, fungi... you name it. We explored how to farm with nature, not against it. How to support biodiversity. And how to create vineyards that thrive for generations.
It wasn’t just technical. It was personal. Everyone in the room genuinely cared. That’s what made it special.
More Than a Conference
This was a community.
We caught up with growers we’ve supported for years. Met new faces. Shared stories. Laughed over wine.
It was especially meaningful to hear how Hydralada machines are helping on the ground. Like reducing soil compaction. Getting through tough terrain. Making work safer and easier for crews.
When you build gear for the land, nothing beats seeing it in action.
What We’re Taking Home
We left Marlborough feeling recharged.
The challenges ahead are big - climate, labour, sustainability. But after this week, we know the industry is ready.
Ready to innovate. Ready to regenerate. Ready to lead.
And we’re right here with you.
Thank you to the organisers, the speakers, and every grower doing the hard work.
We’re proud to be part of this journey.
See you next time.