I’m en route wine region #4 here in stunning New Zealand. (I’m all out of adjectives to describe this country’s beauty….feel free to help. Also, region numbers are strictly based on my travel itinerary) To date I’ve been razor focused on the South Island’s viniferous offerings specifically from regions Waipara, Central Otago and Marlborough. Now…
Month: May 2016
Marlborough Country
We’re en route the Marlborough wine district via Kiwi Rail’s Coastal Express. The journey is celebrated as one of the jewels in New Zealand’s tourism crown. The utterly bucolic route takes us along the east coast of the South Island via a rugged sheep and cattle strewn tract of land. The train makes its way…
Sips from Central Otago
So, here’s the problem. I’m profoundly sad to be leaving Waipara and the good people I’ve met at Greystone in North Canterbury but my consolation prize is I’m going to Central Otago – easily one of the top five regions in the world for Pinot Noir and other cool climate grapes. I’ve flown from Christchurch…
Workin’ it – part 2! 15 Things I learned working the Greystone harvest in New Zealand
When to pick is one of the most critical decisions At the center of all the vineyard activity is the need to get the fruit off the field and the fermentations underway. Winemaker Dom Maxwell and viticulturist, Nick Gill constantly talk picking schedules: which blocks, which rows, and when. Importantly, they taste…..they constantly taste the…
Workin’ it! From the field to the winery at Greystone
Winemakers love a long, reliable growing season. It makes their lives easier, the wines more consistent and their employers and the bank managers, much happier. But cool climate winemaking is rarely reliable. It’s not often grapes comes off the field without a hitch. Frost risk, for example, looms large. Frost has been known to…
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