There has been a change of focus to sustainable viticultural practices over the years, with Waimata achieving the Sustainable Vineyard philosophy. Development of supporting flora around the vineyard for beneficial insect populations, careful spray application focusing on a protectant regime, and altering trellis systems for appropriate varietal management will continue this year.
James Hillard, a winemaker from Australia’s Casagrain Wines, came to join the Tairawhiti Polytechnic's Winemaking & Viticulture programme as programme coordinator and winemaker in 2004 and has been producing very exciting wines.
The Waimata Wines range includes a fruit driven unoaked Chardonnay, a rich full bodied oak Chardonnay and a smooth concentrated Merlot Malbec. The fresh contemporary design reflects the current philosophy and has so far been a hit with all that have experienced it.
Along side the Waimata Wines label, Cogniscenti has been recently created with the desire to put up a reserve quality wine category and distinguish it above the other brand. Viognier is coming out shortly, to compliment the Chardonnay & Syrah varieties.
Both these wine brands are sold commercially into the domestic market.
There has been growing recognition within the local community of the Waimata logo and label, however there is sometimes still confusion that the commercial wine is made entirely by students. Although the students are involved with the activities of managing both the winery and vineyard, the final management decisions are made by the programme coordinator, with the focus of providing the local community with a premium product. We have confidence that the award winning wines produced from the winery will continue for many years as we focus more and more on the quality NZ market.