Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has announced a new Yealands Family Wines partnership with the Department of Conservation that will provide more than $100,000 over three years for conservation initiatives on and around the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds.
“Winemaker Peter Yealands is renowned as a leader in sustainable wine production and his company’s values of environmental sustainability are reflected in its significant contribution to conservation on the Queen Charlotte Track and in Queen Charlotte Sound,” says Barry.
“Yealands Family Wines will also be contributing to their local community in supporting this iconic Marlborough landscape and trail that is a regionally important tourist destination.
“The Queen Charlotte Track, with its stunning scenery and native wildlife, draws more than 16,000 people a year to walk or bike all or part of its 71-kilometre length,” says Barry.
Yealands will provide $25,000 over each of the next three years plus a minimum $10,000 annually from proceeds of sales of its Eco wine range.
“This support will enable welcome improvements to the Queen Charlotte Sound environment and the Queen Charlotte Track, which is managed in a partnership between DOC, Marlborough District Council and the landowners whose private land the track traverses,” says Barry.