Bon Voyage to viticulture exchange students
Monday 3 August 2009, 5:45PM
By Otago Polytechnic
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Four young Central Otago viticulturists wing their way to France this week for hands-on winemaking experience from the industry pioneers.
The trip is part of an exchange programme organised by the Central Otago Winegrowers Association (COWA) and Otago Polytechnic designed to foster a strong relationship between two of the world’s greatest Pinot Noir regions. The programme has been running for four years.
The four exchangees attended a ‘bon voyage’ function on Friday evening (31 July) at the Aurum tasting room to prepare for their four week trip to Burgundy, the French home of Pinot Noir.
In April this year four French viticulture students visited Central Otago under the exchange programme.
They spent a week at Otago Polytechnic learning about New Zealand grapes, climate, soil and winemaking processes and then enjoyed hands-on experience at some of the region’s best known wineries including Rippon (Wanaka), Olssens (Bannockburn), Felton Rd (Bannockburn) and Mt Edward (Gibbston).
The New Zealand students will participate in a similar experience in Burgundy.