Beginning this month, in tandem with the launch of the 2019 vintage in the USA, Waipapa Bay Wines will partner with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) as the nonprofit’s first wine industry corporate sponsor, a milestone in Waipapa Bay’s ongoing commitment to supporting global conservation and sustainability efforts.
 
The name Waipapa Bay comes from a renowned whale watching coastal site on the South Island of New Zealand where Brent and Shirley Rawstron, who oversee viticulture and winemaking, often visit when traveling to the vineyards in Marlborough.  Furthermore, the close proximity to the Pacific Ocean provides ideal climatic conditions for the vines to thrive; protecting the ocean and its delicate underwater ecosystems is paramount to producing high quality grapes in the region.
 
“It’s always been our intention with Waipapa Bay Wines to give back to the oceans,” says Liz Cobbold, Marketing Director. “We’ve been in search of the right partner who shares our goals and are thrilled to have found it with WDC. Plus, the partnership is a meaningful way to introduce the 2019 vintage wines to market.”
 
Founded in 1985, WDC is a global organization which has led the charge on protections for whales and dolphins in all our world’s oceans, an essential means to sustain the future of the planet’s climate resiliency and future. WDC has around 80 staff worldwide working in six locations dedicated to research and action to support this mission.
 
“We are excited to receive the support of sustainably-focused businesses such as Waipapa Bay Wines,” says WDC’s Melissa Walker. “The future of grape growing and agriculture overall are dependent on healthy oceans, so it is imperative that we unite for this common goal.”
 
As the organization’s first winery corporate partner, Waipapa Bay Wines will pledge to help support WDC in their four principal goals—end captivity, stop whaling, create healthy seas, and prevent accidental deaths in fishing gear—with a particular emphasis on raising awareness for the intern program, which fosters careers in conservation biology for young adults.

Waipapa Bay Sauvignon Blanc won 4 medals for quality in 2019 and is a hugely popular wine with our customers. 

Contact us for more details.