New Zealand Pure Discovery 2019
THE SHOW
New Zealand is recognised as one of the world’s premium wine regions,
mainly due to the success of their Marlborough region Sauvignon Blanc
This explosive varietal introduced the world to New Zealand Wine.
In 2019 they would like to celebrate the success of their famous white
through sub-regional expressions as well as showcase the lesser known
varieties such as Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Rose.
Several weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to “speed date” a handful of
New Zealand Winemakers as they passed through Vancouver. I sat at a desk and
they showed up one at a time..each with a wine in hand.
Frankly, it was a blur.
In listening back to the discussions several things became clear.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is World Class but now it’s time to check out
sub regions of the North and South islands.
Simon Toneycliffe GM Whitehaven. (Marlborough’s Golden Mile)
Simon Toneycliffe WhiteHaven
Whitehaven wines are grown, crafted and bottled in Marlborough. Each wine is
a powerful, elegant and consistent expression of Marlborough’s classical
wine styles. The white label is the flagship. Their growth has been nothing
short of fantastic.
Whitehaven has been successfully exporting to the United States since 2004
when its first shipment totaled just 5,000 cases. In 2015 Whitehaven
celebrated the export of its millionth case of wine to the US.
Canada is showing the same kind of growth.
The reason is simple. Affordable World class wines.
Wayne Leadbetter – VP Sales Te Awanga Wines (Hawkes Bay)
Wayne Leadbetter Te Awanga
Planted 25 years ago by a group of friends in one of Hawke’s Bay’s oldest
wine growing areas, they dreamt of making the region’s greatest wines.
They say they’re still working on it but believe their vineyard, right by
the coast truly captures something unique.
Sitting on an elevated site in the Te Awanga foot hills, the cellar door has views down through our vines,
across the Te Awanga basin and out to the Pacific Ocean. Spectacular.
Syrah and Chardonnay are exceptional.
Jim Robertson Global Wine Ambassador NZ Brands – Stoneleigh/Pernod Ricard
(Marlborough)
Jim Robertson – Stoneleigh
Stoneleigh Vineyard is situated in the heart of the Rapaura area on the
northern side of the Wairau valley in Marlborough, New Zealand. The ‘Golden
Mile’ of vineyards.
Stoneleigh takes its name from the stones that cover the
vineyard – land that’s now home to some of the oldest grafted Sauvignon
Blanc blocks in Marlborough.
The stones store and reflect the sun’s heat up into the vines, enhancing the ripening process and contributing to the
unique taste of Stoneleigh wines.
Jim travels the World – a natural storyteller and what a story. NZ wines
are recognized the World over.
http://www.stoneleigh.com <http://www.stoneleigh.com/>
Joel Watson – Winemaker at Luna (Martinborough)
Joel Watson – Luna
Luna Estate has been lovingly renovated and transformed into one of
Martinborough’s premier wineries.
While their main love is Pinot Noir, they also produce elegant Pinot Meunier Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot
Gris, Chardonnay, and Syrah. It’s almost impossible to capture how
passionate Joel Watson is about NZ winemaking and Luna. It shows in his
wines.
A fierce believer in Martinborough.
Rory Crawford – Loveblock (Wellington)
Loveblock is the home of Erika and Kim Crawford. Yup, the same Kim Crawford
who sold his namesake winery and Loveblock is what they did with the money,
honey.
This 180 acre (72 hectare) vineyard is perched on top of the hills
overlooking the Awatere Valley above Wellington..
The site is perfect for growing premium aromatic white varietals. Due to the
strong winds, the vine growth is slow and they tend to get very small
berries giving high aromatic concentration in the wine.
The main vineyard area produces Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris
predominantly, as well as Pinot Blanc, Tempranillo, Gewurztraminer, Chenin
Blanc and of course, Riesling.
Hamish McRae – Forrest and The Doctors (Marlborough)
Hamish McRae – Forrest & The Doctors
The vineyard of Doctors John and Brigid Forrest.
Forrest Wines – The first vintage for Forrest Wines came in 1990 when an
over-filled red wine fermenter “accident” resulted in a trophy-winning
Merlot Rosé.
Fast forward almost 30 years; many awards and accolades, 5 labels and
vineyards across the country. Forrest is set for generations.
Forrest is all Marlborough.
The Doctors – The Doctors’ range is about innovation and excellence.
New grape varieties, alternative winemaking techniques and select parcels of
fruit all qualify to create very special wines under this unique label.
https://www.forrest.co.nz <https://www.forrest.co.nz/>
https://www.forrest.co.nz/collections/doctors
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
2019 Judgment of BC – The Final One
The spectacular Phantom Creek Winery
Checking out Cedar Creek Winery
The Italians pour in Vancouver – Michaela Morris co-hosts
