The Burgundy Exchange 

The Central Otago Burgundy Exchange (COBEX) began its life in 2006, with the invitation of a guest from Burgundy to New Zealand for the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration that same year. The guest was Sophie Confuron of Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron, close friend of Nick Mills of Rippon - who had spent several years immersed in Burgundian life prior. The idea of a student exchange between our winegrowing regions was sparked during a conversation between the two. After much work with the respective industry bodies, embassies and educational institutes, the programme got under way. This special connection between Central Otago and Burgundy has been nurtured ever since, having the ongoing support of the Mosaïque Bourgogne International (MBI) team - now led by Sophie’s son Louis Meunier - and the Centre de Formation Professionnelle et de Promotion Agricole (CFPPA), together with our own Central Otago Winegrower’s Association (COWA) and the Otago Polytechnic Central Campus.