Dr Darrell Lizamore, Principal Research Scientist Grapevine Improvement.(left) and Len Ibbotson, Viticulture Extension and Research Manager.
We welcome two new additions to the team at the Bragato Research Institute, Len Ibbotson, Viticulture Extension and Research Manager and Dr Darrell Lizamore, Principal Research Scientist Grapevine Improvement.
We met with the team to find out more about their new roles, what they love about Marlborough and working on the MRC campus..
Len will be leading the communication of research information to members of the NZ wine industry. The role will also provide expert viticultural input and practical insights into BRI’s research projects.
As well as building a team and internal capability at BRI focussing on grapevine improvement, Darrell aims to build an integrated national programme bringing together capability in this area across different organisations.
With potential benefits for quality, productivity, pest and disease resistance and resilience to a changing climate, grapevine improvement has the potential to make a significant impact to sustainability and the industry’s long-term success.
Q&A with Len
Q Len, what excites you most about your new role at the BRI?
A The opportunity to work closely with a researchers and wine industry members to tackle some of the challenges faced in the primary sector and to assist with continuous improvement to ensure New Zealand remains competitive and the industry profitable.
Q What is your role charged with?
A Essentially tech transfer and extension; ensuring that the tools and other outcomes of scientific investigation are recognised and shared with industry in a way that facilitates uptake.
Q How will it make a difference to industry?
A Our team, along with the industry led research advisory committee and the BRI board, are responsible for ensuring that the research the industry invests in is relevant and aligned with industry priorities. Investment in relevant science, coupled with an effective extension program will ensure that industry benefits from its research investment.
Q What are you most looking forward to in your role?
A The high level of collaboration that is required. Specifically, learning from and sharing information with such a diverse range of people from scientists to growers, winemakers and business managers.
Q What do you like about living in Marlborough?
A Mild winters and great summers along with the amazing range of options for a great lunch and all the hiking and biking opportunities nearby.
Q What do you like about working on the MRC campus?
A It is really cool that we share the space with a range of other wine industry linked businesses, which facilitates collaboration and makes getting together for a beer or wine together on a Friday really easy!
Q&A with Darrell
Q What excites you most about your new role at the BRI?
A Research at the BRI is going to have a multi-generational impact on the wine industry in New Zealand, and therefore on people’s livelihoods across the country. It’s exciting to be a part of that right from the start.
Q What is your role charged with?
A I’ll be putting in place the grapevine improvement programme. That means co-ordinating a research team, facilities and projects to make sure the wine industry benefits from the current opportunities in plant genetics.
Q How will it make a difference to industry?
A The international wine industry has some huge challenges on the horizon, which will require bold new ideas to address. No other crop has been as genetically constrained as grapevine, so it stands to benefit most from the leaps that have been made in our understanding of genetics over the past decade.
Q What are you most looking forward to in your role?
A I’m looking forward to getting creative people with different skills together to come up with ways tackle challenges that are unique to our local wine industry.
Q What do you like about living in Marlborough?
A I love living in the wine region, the scenery is spectacular. And with the Sounds next door there are plenty of opportunities to get out on the water and into the hills.
Q What do you like about working on the MRC campus?
A I’ve really enjoyed meeting and getting to know people from the various teams.
Find out more about the Bragato team here.