19 July 1993 Wine Anniversary to Be Marked by Lincoln

Twenty years of wine and grape research, growing and production in Canterbury will be marked by Lincoln University with a special three-day "Celebration of Wine in Canterbury" in September.

It is 20 years since Dr David Jackson and Graeme Steans of Lincoln University's Horticulture Department first planted grapes at Lincoln and rekindled interest in wine making in Canterbury, an interest which had been virtually dormant since the first French settlers at Akaroa grew grapes in the 19th century. Today, thanks principally to research at Lincoln, the Canterbury (and South Island) wine industry is flourishing and its products are considered to be world class.

A centre point of the celebration will be a two-day symposium on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 September at which overseas experts will join New Zealand speakers to present ideas which will carry the grape and wine industry into the 21st century.

The overseas speakers are Lucie Morton a consultant from Virginia, USA, and Dr Bryan Coombe from Adelaide University, South Australia. They will join Dr David Jordan from Ruakura, Hamish Young, a grape grower from Blenheim, and Professor Richard Rowe, Dr David Heatherbell, Dr David Jackson and Dr Mike Trought all from Lincoln University

On Sunday 19 September there will be a "Public Day" at Lincoln with a programme covering a history of Canterbury grapes and wines given by Dr Jackson and Danny Schuster, a talk by Almuth Lorenz on experiences of a Canterbury and Marlborough winemaker and medal winner, a talk on wine and food by Professor Rowe, wine tasting and purchasing from booths set up by wineries, and to cap off the celebrations, a "Great Wine Debate" in which notable personalities will debate the proposition  "That Canterbury Wine Is Good for Body and Soul".

Registrations for the Symposium and Public Day will be necessary.

For full information on all aspects of Lincoln University's 20th anniversary wine celebrations and symposium, contact Errol Costello, Centre for Continuing Education, Lincoln University, Canterbury.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury.