“Winemaking is one of the most dynamic and interesting industries to be working in. It genuinely doesn’t matter what size of business you are – big or small, each winery has its own story to tell, and there’s always something new to learn (and taste). It’s also an industry which at its heart is about connecting with people, and I really love that aspect of it,” said Tiffani Graydon, Yealands Wine Group CEO.
Graydon’s love for wine grew from working in hospitality as a uni student. She can distinctly remember the very first bottle she fell in love with, a 1994 Matawhero Chardonnay. Now, as the CEO of Yealands Wine Group, wine continues to play a significant role in her life.
The Yealands Winery opened in 2008 when its very first vintage was launched. Sauvignon Blanc is the main varietal. However, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Albarino, Riesling and other varietals are produced from the Seaview Vineyard in the Awatere Valley.
Sustainability is at the core of Yealands business practices, and initiatives run from glass to grass. Graydon’s vision is to create carbon-positive, nature-positive wines while working with the entire industry to tackle climate issues.
Yealands drive for sustainability was recently recognised at the Global Green Apple Awards - two for the Yealands Biodiversity Plan, one for the carbon reduction programme and one acknowledging the invitation to become a Green Apple World Ambassador.
The 30-year Biodiversity Plan builds on existing initiatives. It includes the extensive restoration of native vegetation to provide a habitat for rare and native species, the installation of New Zealand’s largest solar panel array and a boiler that converts vine prunings into energy.
Yelaands partnered with Wild Lab to develop the plan, with input from Marlborough District Council and local iwi. The plan’s five distinct stages start with the restoration of Station Creek to collect runoff and improve water quality. Followed by hillside planting, wetland planting and further plantings along the coast and site gateway. Over the next 30 years, 270 hectares of vineyard and more than one million native trees will be planted. The ultimate goal is to be carbon positive by 2050, moving beyond net zero to make positive contributions to the environment.
In some more exciting news for the winemaker, Yealands recently made a deal with Tesco in the UK. In the business's early days, the team secured great distribution partners and listings in both the US and UK. The strong sustainability practices have always resonated with consumers and were what helped seal the deal with Tesco.
“Ultimately, we’re on a mission to get more Yealands wine brands into the hands of consumers around the world. We can’t bring every consumer to Seaview to experience first-hand what makes our place and our wines so special, so through our Beautifully Biodiverse positioning for Yealands, we aim to give them a small taste of this in every bottle - no matter where in the world they’re enjoying one of our wines. Recently we rebranded Yealands, Babydoll and The Crossings brands to help bring our stories to life on pack.”
Moving forward, Graydon thinks the industry will continue to see strong demand for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. It already out-paces almost all other wine-producing regions and does not see it slowing down soon. She also believes wines need to remain accessible in price and visibility. Being on shelf and in favourite restaurants is always important. The winemaker is also hoping for another strong-yielding vintage in 2023.
Graydon loves a good bottle of Champagne and left us with her choice for the perfect bottle swap - the Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose from France. Perfect for a warm summer afternoon!
