Latest News
August 2010 Tom Cannavan looks at Scots who have moved abroad and are making successful and award winning wines. Check us out on STV's Wine Club here.SCOTTISH WINE
August 2010
Martinborough not the only jewel in the Wairarapa
Martinborough has become synonymous with wine from the southern part of the North Island but the Wairarapa wine region is made up of some very distinct "districts" that value their individuality, say The Marlborough Express' Deborah Walton and Peter Morice. Read more here.
June 2010
Go, Gladstone
The northern Wairarapa’s wine producers have solved their identity issue according to Michael Cooper. Read his Listener column here.
May 2010
HIGH FIVE FOR GLADSTONE VINEYARD PINOT NOIRGladstone Vineyard’s Pinot Noir has scooped gold for a fifth consecutive year, collecting its latest accolade from one of the most prestigious and influential independent wine competitions, the International Wine Challenge in London.
We're thrilled to receive recognition for the 2008 Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir at such a well regarded competition, but we’re even more elated that this award cements Gladstone Vineyard’s record for consistently producing Pinot Noir at the top level.
It’s proof – if we needed it – that Wairarapa Pinot Noir ranks among the world’s best.
May 2010
Welcome to our new website!
You’ll notice we’ve made a few changes… and we hope you like them. We’re proud of our history as Gladstone’s first and foremost Vineyard, and we’re proud of our place – nestled in the heart of the Wairarapa, one of New Zealand’s most beautiful vineyards. We’ve had a closer look at ourselves recently and the changes you’ll see reflect where we’ve been and where we’re going. You’ll recognise some of the things that make us unique – the homestead, our Scottish heritage. You’ll also see what we like to think of as our new superhero logo – our GV. We’ve come of age – and we’re committed to taking our wines with us to the next level. Welcome to Gladstone Vineyard. The Gladstone Vineyard.
May 2010
Harvest Update
Harvest started later this year, and has been a relaxed prolonged affair. So much so that Kyle, our vineyard manager managed a haircut during vintage (unheard of!) and Gerhard our winemaker, was bouncing up and down like Tigger because he hadn't had enough late nights!!
After a cool summer, autumn has been warm and benign and the fruit has ripened well. The weather has been magnficent for the past month, enabling us to pick when we want to optimise fruit flavours and ripeness. The longer, cooler ripening period encourages good flavour development in the grapes at lower potential alcohol levels, so we are optimistic for very good quality wines from 2010.
The bulk of the work is done, and we expect to finish picking in the first week of May.
March 2010
WAIRARAPA PINOT NOIRS A STRONG CLASS
Raymond Chan from Regional Wines in Wellington speaks highly of Wairarapa Pinots in his latest web update. He has this to say about the 2008 Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir:
"As one of the pioneers of the region, Gladstone Vineyard is the most consistent producers of quality wines, winning top awards regularly. Christine and David Kernohan have owned and run the operation since 1996. Their fruit source is based on 2.7 ha of the Home Block established in 1986 and 10 ha in Dakins Road, planted in 2000-2002. This is supplemented by fruit from only three other contracted suppliers. The 2008 Pinot Noir is a gorgeous follow-on from the multi-gold winning 2006 release. Made from fruit from Gladstone Vineyard’s own blocks at Dakins Road and Bideford (plus a small amount from Te Muna Road!), this was cold soaked and fermented with 20% whole berries to 14.2% alc, the wine was aged for 10 months in 30% new French oak. The result is an elegantly sized wine with soft ruby colour, and a beautifully ethereal nose of florals, black and red fruits and spicy fragrances. The wine is lush and supple, and nuances of flavour unfold in the glass. The tannins are refined and there is sufficient structure to enable 6-8 years cellaring.
To read more click here
January 2010
DECANTER RATES GLADSTONE VINEYARD WINES
The Managing Editor of Decanter recently met with Christine on her latest sales to trip to the UK and was impressed with our wares... Here's what she said:
"At Ransome's Dock in Battersea, I met three producers: Steve Green from Carrick Wines in Central Otago, David Dew from River Farm Wines in Marlborough, and Christine Kernohan from Gladstone Vineyard in Wairarapa. Interesting chat and some very enjoyable wines all round, but the big surprise for me were the Gladstone wines. Wairarapa has a lower profile than Otago or Marlborough, but these wines were the stars of the day for me, particularly the 2009 Pinot Gris (juicy, pear flavours, with structure) and the 2006 Auld Alliance - Christine is Scottish - a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 20% Malbec. This was immensely drinkable, fruit forward with dark berry and mocha flavours; the 2008 had longer in oak and is more closed. Also delicious, the 2008 Pinot Noir, a great balance between pure red berry fruit and serious structure - very well priced also (£13.95 retail). Noting my surprise, Kernohan reminded me that Pinot Noir in NZ originated in Martinborough/Wairarapa regions, and not Central Otago...
To read more from Decanter click here
December 2009
RAYMOND HITS GLADSTONE
Regional Wines' Raymond Chan paid a visit over the weekend and is now a Gladstone convert (who'd blame him...).
"The beautiful Wairarapa has always been Wellington’s playground. The attractive rural towns of Greytown and Carterton are bustling with cafes and craft shops, and one only need to visit the village of Martinborough to taste world-class wines. And those a little more curious will have found the wine producers of Gladstone and Masterton are of equal ability, only less well-known. If you are in the Wairarapa, enjoying the benevolent weather and pastoral scenery, it is well-worth spending some time at Gladstone where there are plenty of attractions for wine and food lovers especially.
Highly recommended is the Gladstone Vineyard and Café. Christine and David Kernohan have seen the winery and café business grow phenomenally over the past few years. The Glasdstone Vineyard wines have fared very well in competitions and the demand for the wines necessitated the building of a new 250 tonne winery in 2005. Regional Wines has featured the 2009 Rosé, 2008 Pinot Gris and 2006 ‘Auld Alliance’ in promotions recently, but all the wines are recommended. The café is beautifully set, and the food from Zane Saba, ex Café Cecille in Masterton is first-class. With Leo Donworth (wife of Rusty, at Boulcott Street) looking after the wines, there is considerable expertise on-site. A superb matching is the scallops with the winery-only 2008 ‘Sophie’s Choice’ oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc." Read more
September 2009
CONGRATS TO LEA & SANDEMAN - LONDON MERCHANT OF THE YEAR
Our huge congrats to LEA & SANDEMAN, one of our valued UK distributors, who just won The International Wine Challenge Award for LONDON MERCHANT OF THE YEAR 2009.
And as if this wasn't reason enough to celebrate, they're also celebrating their 21st Birthday, a new retail store in Chiswick, and a new updated look across all of its stores.
Charles Lea and Patrick Sandeman opened their first retail store on the 8th December 1988, and have just opened their fourth store, on Chiswick High Road.
So if you're wanting some Gladstone Vineyard wine, pop in to one of their stores at Chiswick, Kensington, Chelsea or Barnes, visit them online at www.londonfinewine.co.uk or give them a call on 020 7244 0522.
