Central Otago Winegrowers strengthening ties with Burgundy

Central Otago Winegrowers are strengthening ties with Burgundy, the French region celebrated for its pinot noir, with a recent donation to assist the safeguarding of a thousand-year old abbey close to Vosne-Romanée.

Central Otago Winegrowers Association (COWA) donated 5,000 Euro to the Association de l’Abbaye de Saint-Vivant to restore the abbey for public and community events. The abbey, originally built in 894 or 918, holds an important place in the history of the vines and wine of the region. The former building included an intricately designed set of cellars, press and equipment to produce wine.

Until about 10 years ago, the whole building was engulfed by overgrown forest. Since then the focus has been to clear the ruins and prevent any further damage.
The COWA donation is given as a gesture of fraternity to the wine region and in gratitude to the Burgundian growers who help make the Pinot Noir Celebration’s formal tasting possible each year. It is also in acknowledgement of the observations, techniques and understandings that the Benedictine Monks of Saint Vivant have given to the wine industry and ultimately affected how both ancient and modern winegrowers approach pinot noir.
COWA recognises the significance of the relationship and its longevity, with both regions renowned for their production of pinot noir - despite their entirely different backgrounds - to be able to learn the different techniques and share in each other’s culture.

“It is amazing how much the Burgundian producers’ recognition and interest in what we are achieving down here in Central Otago, compared to even three years ago, has increased. This ranges from seeking out wines for the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration to the positive reputation of the exchange programme and the high acclaim we are gaining for our wines,” said Nick Mills, president of Central Otago Winegrowers Association.
Aubert de Villaine, Association de l’Abbaye de Saint-Vivant director and managing director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, one of the most celebrated wine estates in the world, was delighted and appreciative of the donation, “It will be of great help for our work in safeguarding this site where men lived who created a philosophy that is still so alive and has spread all over the world. You (Central Otago) are one of the best examples of its success.” he said.

The educational Burgundy-Central Otago exchange programme, now in its third year, offers winegrowers from the two regions the opportunity to learn and appreciate the ‘new’ techniques and traditional practices, as well as absorbing the cultural aspects of the regions.

Vosne-Romanée is a commune in the Côte de Nuits area of the Côte-d'Or department in Burgundy, eastern France. The village has at least forty growers sharing its vineyards and produces some of the region’s finest red wines.