100 Vineyard Stories: Vineyard decisions with a 1000-year perspective

What does a 1000-year perspective do when making a decision in the vineyard? 

When making decisions in the vineyard, winemaker Matt Stafford thinks at least 50 years out. So if a block or some vines are not doing well in a particular soil, he replants with a different varietal, better suited to that terroir. Thus fruit quality is maximized for the long term. Craggy Range Winery and Vineyard, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand.

When making decisions in the vineyard, winemaker Matt Stafford thinks at least 50 years out. So if a block or some vines are not doing well in a particular soil, he replants with a different varietal, better suited to that terroir. Thus fruit quality is maximized for the long term. Craggy Range Winery and Vineyard, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand.

In New Zealand's Hawke's Bay wine region, the Craggy Range Winery family trust requires the winery and vineyards stay in the Peabody family for 1000 years. The kids, grand kids, great great great grand kids cannot sell (even to buy a yacht). No cashing in for 1000 years. 

Oyster shells and stones are placed below many rows of vines to reflect heat to ensure grapes ripen.  Craggy Range Winery and Vineyard, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand.

Winemaker Matt Stafford says that perspective completely changes how decisions are made in the vineyard. If a block or even row of vines are struggling for whatever reason, replant with something that will do better. 

That way, in the long term, you will have the best fruit to make the best wine possible.

Te Mata peak towers above the main Craggy Range Winery visitor's center near Hastings.   Craggy Range Winery and Vineyard, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand.

Would your perspective change if you were required to maintain our collective vineyard, our environment, our world for 1000 years before you could sell out?