New Viticulturist heralds another step forward for Sileni

An ongoing drive to maintain its market positioning and continued growth has seen Sileni Estates Winery appoint a Group Viticulturist.

Stephen Bradley will be undertaking a regular programme of vineyard visits throughout the country and providing technical advice to all Sileni’s grape growers.

With a Bachelor of Horticultural Science with First Class Honours from Lincoln University, Stephen comes from a background at HortResearch in Hawke’s Bay. He spent six years with Delegats in both Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough, and for the last two years he’s been national grape supply and technical manager with Constellation in Marlborough.

Sileni Estates chief winemaker, Grant Edmonds says Stephen has a wealth of experience and technical knowledge that will be of significant benefit to both the company and individual growers as Sileni strives to reduce costs and lift quality to maintain its market positioning and grow the business.
Grant says Sileni Estates is always looking for new initiatives to remain ahead of the pack and this appointment is just one of them.

“Since Sileni began a decade ago we have always looked for innovative ways to operate. Our joint venture and lease agreements in Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough are classic examples of this,” says Grant.

Early in its history Sileni entered into a joint venture with the Lyons family in Hawke’s Bay to add another 20 hectares of vineyards next to the winery. This gave certainty of supply and control over quality without the capital required for land purchase. The block provides Merlot, Cab Franc, Semillon, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay.

Over the last few years Sileni has added a further three lease blocks in Marlborough in the Riverlands area, Spring Creek and the Waihopai Valley to provide extra Sauvignon Blanc.

Grant Edmonds says Sileni is also involved in another large development. The Parkhill Block at Haumoana in Hawke’s Bay has 24 hectares transformed into a vineyard for Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.

This block is different to other vineyards as it is part of a lifestyle development with two hectare building sites surrounded by vines.

“This will be a flagship block on a beautiful coastal site where we are working closely with the developer to ensure aesthetic considerations are taken into account in the vineyard management.”

Grant says each new initiative provides a new dimension to Sileni and none more than the appointment of Stephen Bradley as the group viticulturist overseeing all the vineyards.
“Stephen’s input to Sileni’s winemaking and viticulture team will help raise the bar to ensure our ongoing success.”