A new research winery is to be set up by Bragato Research Institute (BRI), on the Blenheim campus of Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT). The facility will trial winery equipment and technologies, winemaking processes and sustainable winemaking and winery operations. It will also provide commercial research winemaking services to suppliers and industry.

A key feature of the research winery is its location at the Marlborough Research Centre alongside Plant and Food Research, New Zealand Winegrowers and Wine Marlborough, facilitating collaboration between the different organisations.

“The establishment of a world-leading, sustainable, national research winery in Marlborough will be a real draw-card for the region and the NZ wine industry as a whole. It will encourage new research and innovation as well as trialling new technology and modelling sustainability,” said BRI Establishment Manager, Tracy Benge. “It is a privilege to lead a dedicated and passionate project team of experts that spans industry, research, education and suppliers.”