Beyond Sustainable – Next Steps for a Carbon Neutral Environment

WHAT TO EXPECT

Sustaining our current efforts is not enough to mitigate climate change in the long term. It is important to consistently innovate, improve and surpass to achieve our objectives. With the collective goal to be carbon neutral by 2050, New Zealand wine has become a world leader in this initiative. In conversation with Belinda Jackson of Lawson’s Dry Hills, Michelle Bouffard of Tasting Climate Change discusses the strategies wine producers are putting in place to support and achieve this goal.

SPEAKER PROFILES

Michelle Bouffard

Michelle lives and teaches WSET courses in Montreal and gives numerous training sessions for wine associations. She is a published author, wine judge, and regular on Quebec cooking show Curieux Bégin and CBC radio.

In 2017, Michelle founded Tasting Climate Change, an international symposium to explore the challenges and solutions in the wine industry. In 2018, Urbania Magazine recognized her work by selecting her as one of 50 extraordinary Quebecers. In continuation with her work on climate change, she co-wrote a book called Quel vin pour demain which was published by Dunod in September 2021. The book talks about the solutions available for the wine industry to adapt and mitigate climate change.

She works closely with the nursery Lilian Bérillon located in the Rhône Valley acting as a wine educator and ambassador. Ever the eternal perfectionist, she is continuing her studies at the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine.

Belinda Jackson

Belinda is a well-known figure in the wine industry, working across many aspects of the New Zealand industry from strategic branding to establishing wine competitions. She is a sought after speaker, award-winning author and wine commentator. She began following her life-long passion in Bordeaux in the mid-eighties before returning to the UK and undertaking sales and marketing roles, which she continued to pursue on arriving in New Zealand, first with New Zealand’s leading retail liquor chain, Liquorland and then independent retail chain, Glengarry.

Belinda joined Lawson’s Dry Hills in 2014 and is Marketing and Sales Manager for this highly respected Marlborough wine producer. Her responsibilities include strategy and sales for the company’s brands in both the domestic and export markets. A key focus is communicating the company’s sustainability journey to inform consumers while encouraging other producers to follow suit. In addition to this role, Belinda is also involved with Appellation Marlborough Wine, an initiative launched in 2018 to respect and protect Marlborough wine.