Andy Frost arrives from New Zealand to join the WITS Harvest Management forum on July 18. He joins Vineyard Management expert Davie Pina, Dr. Jeff Dlott of SureHarvest and Randy Meyer, Senior Winemaker of Korbel Champagne Cellars.

Andy Frost, Winemaking Research and Technical Services Manager at Montana Wines
As the senior winemaker focused on research and the delivery of technical services to all aspects of Montana’s winemaking processes, Andy Frost’s responsibilities are far-reaching.Based at the Brancott Winery in Marlborough, he co-ordinates the company’s wine production research and development programmes, works with computer software suppliers to develop winemaking and grape information software and has responsibility for Montana’s laboratories across the country.

Since joining Montana Wines as a trainee winemaker in 1982, he has not only emerged as one of the company’s leading winemakers, but also one of the world’s best. International recognition came when he picked up the award for International White Winemaker of the Year at the 1997 International Wine Challenge in London.

Educated at Wellington College, he completed a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours in Botany, specialising in plant ecology, at Victoria University in Wellington.

When Andy joined Montana, the company’s first Marlborough grape plantings were just coming into full production. Now Marlborough is the country’s leading wine producing region. Over the years, Andy has played a key role taking Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from an experimental, fledgling variety to the country’s internationally acclaimed signature wine.

Submitted by Richard L. Gulson