Why do some Pinot noir clones perform differently? How can vineyard management influence wine style and quality? What can genetics tell us about the future of Pinot noir?
Bragato Research Institute, in partnership with NMIT and Lincoln University, is bringing the latest Pinot noir research to the Wairarapa for an interactive afternoon of presentations, discussion and wine tasting. Hear the latest research on Pinot noir in relation to cover crop and canopy manipulation, winemaking approaches, clonal performance and grapevine genetics, with tastings of trial wines that showcase the research in action.
Stewart Field developed an early interest in plants, leading him to pursue degrees in Plant Science, including a doctorate in viticulture. His academic journey included studies in New Zealand, USA, Australia, and Canada, focusing on grapevine physiology. After working in the industry in Wairarapa and Hunter Valley, Stewart returned to academia in 2014, first as a lecturer at Eastern Institute of Technology and then at NMIT from 2018. His research emphasises irrigation, nutrition management, and plant hormones, aiming to inspire future viticulture students in New Zealand’s Wine Industry.
Amber Parker
Associate Professor Amber Parker is the Director of the Centre for Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University. Her core research areas include phenology and the impacts of climate change on viticulture, with a focus on practical adaptation strategies to support resilient production systems. She also investigates how source–sink modifications in grapevines influence phenology, vine balance, and fruit composition. She has a strong interest in precision viticulture techniques to improve efficiency and sustainability. She works closely with the wine industry, contributing to research that addresses key challenges and develops innovative solutions for sustainable grape and wine production in a changing global climate.
Annabel Whibley
Annabel is a Bioinformatician in BRI's Grapevine Improvement team. Her role explores genomic datasets to glean insights into grapevine biology. Annabel completed her PhD in plant molecular genetics at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK. Since then, she has applied genomics technologies to questions in clinical research, evolution and conservation. As a bioinformatician at BRI, she is characterising genetic and epigenetic diversity in new and existing grapevines to develop more resilient plants for the future. Annabel also holds an Honorary Academic position in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland.
