Latest News
May 2013
A SIGNIFICANT BODY OF WORK
John Saker joined us for our recent vertical of Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir from 2005-2011, and shared his thoughts in his wine column in the Sunday Star-Times. According the John, the vintages 2007-2010 were "truly impressive. The settled, complex 2010 really rang my bell (loudly); the fresh, joyous fruit of the 2008 was pure hedonism."
May 2013
CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL SAUVIGNON BLANC DAY ALL WEEKEND LONG - MAY 17-19TH
This weekend - May 17-19th, we will be buzzing with all things Sav Blanc to mark International Sauvignon Blanc Day. A world-wide initiative started four years ago, this global social media wine tasting is getting bigger every year as people across the globe celebrate Sauvignon Blanc.
We started by doing a vertical tasting of more then 10 vintages of GV Sauvignon Blanc. That was a good start! We will have some of them to share with you this weekend. Limited releases of aged 3 packs of GV Sav Blanc (vintages 2005, 2007, 2010) and 3 packs of different vintages of the very special and unique Sophie's Choice, our award winning barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc (vintages 2009, 2010 and 2011) will be available for purchase at our cellar door.
There will be tastings of older Sauvignon Blancs, a special matched dish for our current Sauvignon Blanc at the cafe and a cellar-full of all things sauvignon for you to savour. So come and enjoy a savvy!!
May 2013
Gladstone Vineyard wines WIN medals at the International Wine Challenge 2013
After scoring a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge 2013, the Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 looks set to follow in its predecessors foot steps. Also awarded was the Gladstone Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2012 with a bronze medal, and the Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Gris 2012 was commended.
The International Wine Challenge is considered by many in the industry as the "Oscars of the wine world". In its 30th year, the show is one of the most prestigious shows to receive an accolade from. The last seven vintages of Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir have been awarded Silver, Gold and/or Trophy status at wine shows around the world. The 2011 vintage has just hit the wine show circuit. With that sort of history, it looks like it's off to a good start.
.
May 2013
Sue Courtney gets nostalgic with our Pinot Noir
Despite her busy schedule Sue Courtney couldn't resist the opportunity for our winemaker Alexis to share a vertical of Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir from 2005-2011. Sue commented that she "...regards Gladstone Vineyard as the brightest star from the Wairarapa but its lustre is often lost in the shadow of neighbouring region Martinborough." Our star was shining bright on the day of the tasting and Sue was very impressed. Read Sue Courtney's full notes here
May 2013
Our new autumn menu
It's not just the leaves that are changing, our cafe menu is changing to suit the seasons too...
With a few of our classics still featuring and a some new lighter lunch meals, it will be a menu to please any palate. Our chef, James will use the best local seasonal produce to put together blackboard specials and our knowledgeable cafe staff can recommend wines to suit. Come in and relax by our fire or wander outside and enjoy the beautiful settings and some winter sunshine...
Check out our new menu here
March 2013
Seven Years of Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir
With the release of the Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 we invited a select group of Media to a vertical tasting of the last seven years of Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir. All seven vintages were awarded a gold medal or trophy, some of them both. Respected wine reviewer Raymond Chan was present and gave all seven years an excellent review. Read Raymond's review here.
March 2013
CHRISTINE TALKS TO DEBRA MEIBURG MW
Febuary 2013
GLADSTONE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2010 RANKED TOP IN TRANS TASMAN TASTE OFF
The Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010 has taken out the Bledisloe Cup of Pinot Noir, earning top honours in Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine's recent tasting of 43 top Pinot Noir from New Zealand and Australia. We are thrilled with this achievement, particularly given the company we're keeping in this top selection of Pinot.
Last year the Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010 won Trophy for Best Pinot at the Australian Boutique Wine Awards, following in the footsteps of its predecessors which have won back to back gold and trophy-level acclaim since 2004.
You can read the full article here. Or go to our online store to buy this gorgeous wine (while stocks last!)
Febuary 2013Gladstone Vineyard Cafe Scoops Service Award
Esther Lang, one of the Gladstone Vineyard cafe team has scooped a local service award. The WairarapaWON programme recognises and rewards exceptional customer service in the Wairarapa region. Esther was nominated by a recent customer who visited the cafe with a large group booking. Her nomination of Esther included comments such as "Esther was never flustered, was genuinely interested in our enjoyment and smiled through out - a real professional!" For her efforts Esther will be awarded a certificate from WairarapaWON and a special presentation from us for her super effort. Well done Esther!
January 2013
Welcome to Alexis, and meet the GV go-to Girls!
We warmly welcome our new winemaker, Alexis Moore to the team here at Gladstone Vineyard. Alexis comes with a superb reputation, having spent five years as the assistant winemaker at Seresin Estate. She has also done several vintages overseas including in Canada, Sonoma and most recently Oregon. Her experience with biodynamic and organic winemaking from Seresin will be a great boost to the biological viticulture and the thoughtful work and direction that Kyle has been taking Gladstone Vineyard over the past five years.
Last week, wine writer Raymond Chan, paid us a visit, and had an interesting take on the latest adddition to the team - and what it means for the gender balance (the biodynamics?) here at GV. Read his latest blog here.
January 2012
My favourite table
One of our best customers and good friend Liz Pollock, Wings over Wairarapa Manager, shared the GV love this week in the DomPost's 'My Favourite Table' column.
Click on the link to read the full article.
My favourite table liz pollock [869 Kb]12 December 2012
a dux a
nd a head girl
We are very proud of two Kuranui College stars who work here at Gladstone Vineyard.
Emily Jamieson, one of our waitresses is the 2012 Dux at Kuranui College this year. This award is thoroughly deserved, and caps off an awesome year for Emily which included a trip to Europe as part of the London International Youth Science Forum in August.
Trina Simmonds, who works exceptionally hard behind the scenes as our dishwasher, will be Head Girl at Kuranui College in 2013. I'm sure spending her weekends with her arms in soapy water is standing her in excellent stead! Congratulations Trina, you will do a fantastic job.
25 September 2012
Farewell Patrick
We are devastated to hear of Patrick Sandeman's tragic and untimely death in a skydiving accident at the weekend. Gladstone Vineyard has proudly worked with London wine merchant Lea and Sandeman for several years now, and we value and appreciate the professionalism, support and friendship in the business relationship.
Christine and David send their condolences to Charles and the whole team at Lea and Sandeman and extend our heartfelt wishes to his wife Katie and all their family for their huge loss.
Patrick's adventure for life was inspirational. We will miss him. His smile is with us now.
September 2012
Sophie's Choice chosen for Gold, again
Our golden girl has once again brought home gold, with the latest release of our very special oaked Sauvignon, Sophie's Choice 2011 taking a gold medal at the Spiegelau International Wine Competition. Sophie's Choice also picked up silver at the NZ International Wine Show 2012.
Woof!
The rowers win gold and we take the trophy!
While the rowers were thrilling us all with their amazing efforts at the Olympics last night, we were thrilled to pick up another trophy for our Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir! Our Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010 won the Trophy for Best Pinot Noir at the Australian Boutique Wine Awards in Sydney - making it back to back trophies and seven consecutive years of top awards.
The awards are a credit to the care and attention to detail given in both the vineyard and winery - great work team Gladstone!
July 2012
HOSPICE WAIRARAPA WINE MAGNUMS
Measured in distance, the Wairarapa wine region is a world away from Burgundy, traditional home of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Yet shared values are reflected in their wines: hand-tended grapes, hand-crafted wines of distinction. Honouring Burgundy's Hospices de Beaune charity fund-raising tradition, local Wairarapa winemakers have created a unique set of limited edition wines from the 2011 vintage. Presented in magnum bottles epitomising quality and longevity, these wines express regional qualities for discerning palates.
These wines have been put together to support Hospice Wairarapa. Only 100 sets of the magnums are available, $495 each and selling fast. These are investment wines, that will age gracefully for five plus years.
You can read more about these wines, including Raymond Chan's review's of each, here.
June 2012
Farewell Baxter boy
Gone but not forgotten... Baxter is now having a long sleep with his beloved Sophie.... we will miss him. Thanks for all your love, fun and slobber, our beloved Baxter xxxxx
May 2012
SCOTS' BRAVE MOVE
"What is it about the Scots and making wine as far away as possible from the heather clad hills, mist across the lochs and the skirl of the pipes?"
Read John Hawkesby's recent write up in the Herald's Canvas magazine here.
April 2012
Sophie's Choice chosen for Gold
One of our favourite wines, the Gladstone Vineyard Reserve Sophie's Choice 2010, has won gold at the prestigious Concours Mondial du Sauvignon in Bordeaux.
Sophie's Choice is a special wine, named after our golden retriever (and first vineyard dog) Sophie, who died in late 2010.
Sophie's Choice is made in limited quantities each year from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, barrel fermented and aged in French oak for 11 months.
Over 650 wines from around the world entered the third Concours Mondial du Sauvignon which took place at the Bordeaux in March.
It's lovely that the namesake of this special wine – our golden girl, Sophie – now has a golden medal to her memory.
March 2012
AMONG THE BEST - The Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification
We're thrilled to have hit 2 stars in the Fifth Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification awarded by Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer. The Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification is a rolling classification, based on an average assessment of the five most recent vintages, so as to provide an up-to-date assessment every year, while maintaining the perspective of recent history. In 2012, The Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification highlights New Zealand's finest 116 Pinot Noir makers, including us!
Read the details here.
January 2012
THIS IS WHAT I WANT FROM NEW ZEALAND
We got a great write-up from Peter Wood during our recent trip to the UK. We particularly liked his Scottish-flavoured tasting notes for the Auld Alliance - "brambles - lots of brambles - followed by a savoury, slightly black pepper and meaty aroma that could only be described as haggis, and then some cloves and a little treacle element". Read more here.
January 2012
A winning formula
Tired of life in the city? Christine Kernohan was when she bought a small vineyard in the back blocks of Carterton, in 1996. The balmy summer evenings, renovated Victorian homestead and the quiet little lake it overlooked all promised what seemed like a slower pace of life to Christine and her husband, David, but today they admit they got more than they bargained for when they bought Gladstone Vineyard 16 years ago. Read Joelle Thomson's latest wine column in the DomPost's Weekend magazine here.
January 2012
DAKINS ROAD - A ROAD TO ROAM
"Gladstone Vineyard has become the foundation and focus for the Gladstone district and in fact the greater Wairarapa region, being one of the oldest established properties, and making consistently top quality wine, and positively supporting the efforts of their neighbours." Read Raymond Chan's recent blog about his recent trip to our neck of the road here.
January 2012
The Merchant of Vin Nice
The October issue of Gafencu Men (a Hong Kong/Mainland China Men's Lifestyle magazine) featured our friend and colleague, Paulo Pong, managing director of the Altaya Group, who distributes our wine in Hong Kong. Read it here.
October 2011
SCOTS MEDIA MAKE THE 12,000 MILE TRIP
We recently enjoyed hosting the Scottish media pack out here supporting the Scottish rugby team. Aside from making some great personal connections (two of the journos were from Christine's brother's home town), the exposure has been great for our raising the profile of our brand back in Scotland.
Here are some of the articles/blogs we've seen to date:
The shake-out in Kiwi wines is continuing, Brian Elliott, Scotsman/Scotland on Sunday October 2011
Scots making merry in New Zealand, Scotsman's chief rugby correspondent David Ferguson RWC blog September 2011
August 2011
GOLDRUSH!
We're thrilled to have picked another gold medal for our Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 - this time from the New Zealand International Wine Show. Our 2009 Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir already has a good stash under its belt - with two trophies for Best Pinot Noir and Best New World Pinot Noir from the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition 2010, and another gold from the Selections Mondiales des vins Canada 2011.
Which means our 2009 vintage is keeping up with its forefathers (if not outrunning them!) - our previous three vintages have all achieved double gold medals.
We're also pleased that our Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Gris 2010 picked up its second Silver Medal from the show.
Both these wines are still available at cellar door to try (and buy!) or buy online here.
July 2011
THE WINES OF GLADSTONE WAIRARAPA
wineanorak.com's Jamie Goode looks at Gladstone Vineyard and our wines as part of his series on the Martinborough/Wairarapa wine region... we're keeping good company alongside Dry River, Ata Rangi, Martinborough Vineyard, Palliser Estate and Escarpment.
Click here to see his full blog.
June 2011
balancing act
Better late than never...
"A career in winemaking was the result of being at the right place at the right time, says Christine Kernohan, owner and chief winemaker at Gladstone Vineyard
Click here to view the Christine Kernohan double page spread from the April edition of Singapore's Appetite magazine.
June 2011
RECENT WORDS FROM JANCIS
"...if you are looking for a New Zealand Pinot Noir that is more serious than the norm but is not encumbered by too serious a price tag, check out Gladstone Pinot Noir 2009 Wairarapa at £15.50 per bottle in a mixed case from Lea & Sandeman. Wairarapa, like Martinborough, is in the well-favoured gastronomic hinterland of Wellington in the south east of the North Island and Gladstone has always impressed me. The wines have real depth of flavour, no jamminess, the structure to develop for another few years and some attractive liquorice and spice.
In this case you can find the wine only very slightly cheaper direct from the winery website, run, like everything else, including a café and accommodation, by Glaswegain émigrés Christine and David Kernohan, who show real determination and ambition in everything they do – including tracking me down over breakfast in Martinborough once." www.jancisrobinson.com
June 2011
Gold2 in CANADA
Our Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir has continued its golden track record, with the 2009 receiving a Gold Medal at the Selections Mondiales des vins Canada in Québec city. It is joined by our new release Gladstone Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2010, which also secured a Gold.
Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada is one of the oldest wine competitions in the world and one of the founding members of the World Federation of Major International Wine competitions (VinoFed).
Its 18th edition was held in Québec city in early June. The competition received 1,620 entries from 513 producers coming from 32 different countries.
Gagné!
April 2011
HARVEST PREVIEW 2011
This has been the best growing season we have had for a long time. The spring frosts stayed away with the wind machines running for less than 10 hours compared to 60-70 hours last season. The summer months have been dry and hot, we have had well below average rainfall and above average temperatures for the months of November, December, January, and February. The settled warm weather during flowering and fruitset in December has led to bunch weights being heavier than average.
The week of 21-27 March we had 95mm of rain - not ideal one week out from the start of vintage! After having that much rain over a short period of time with warm temperatures you would expect to see widespread berry splitting and botrytis starting to invade the fruit. But after walking the blocks this week Kyle reports the vines have come through extremely well - no splitting and very clean fruit. This is a tick in the box for the vine/soil health management programmes we have in place at Gladstone Vineyard. Fingers crossed that we get some settled weather over the next four weeks or so.
It is looking like this vintage will be much more compressed compared to 2010 so there will be plenty of long days and nights ahead for the team.
7 March 2011
HARDY SUPPORTERS RAISE OVER $8,000 FOR CHRISTCHURCH
Despite heavy rain, Wairarapa showed its support for its southern neighbours on Sunday 6 March, raising over $8,000 at the Christchurch Fundraiser held here at Gladstone Vineyard.
All proceeds from the day are being donated to the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal.
Event organiser Leo Lamoury said the wintry weather conditions didn't put off hardy supporters who turned up to enjoy live music, food and wine, and opened their wallets to bid for some of the many goods and services donated by local Wairarapa businesses.
"We were pretty overwhelmed, not only by the generosity of local businesses and musicians, but also by the number of people who rugged up and came out to the vineyard with full hearts and wallets.
"The atmosphere was humbling – a wonderful feeling of community spirit and goodwill."
We would like to thank the following people and businesses for their contribution to the day:
|
· Barry Saunders |
· People's Coffee |
· Solway Copthorne |
|
· Jack Barlow & Colette |
· Breadcraft |
· The White Swan |
|
· The Verandah Band |
· Marconnee Fish |
· Computer Partners |
|
· Stefan Brown |
· Mela Juice |
· Aylstone Boutique Retreat |
|
· Bob & Kate |
· McCardle Meat Supplies |
· Summit Lodge |
|
· Richard 'Slug' Williams |
· Parkvale Mushrooms |
· Bar Salute |
|
· Michael Wilson |
· Goodman Fielder |
· Brasserie One |
|
· Malcolm Jenkins |
· Mcauley's Transport |
· The Summit Lodge |
|
· Bob Francis |
· Tranzit Coachlines |
· The Village Art Supplies |
|
· Ron Mark |
· Greytown Butchers |
· The Villa, Masterton |
|
· Liz Pollock |
· Schoc Chocolate |
· Adorne, Greytown |
|
· Steve Trotman |
· Flax, Greytown |
· Mango |
|
· Barb Hyde |
· Mondo, Greytown |
· Invest, Greytown |
|
· Les Cockeram |
· Vine, Greytown |
· Main Street Deli |
|
· Fairmont Estate |
· Minx Shoes |
· Gladstone Vineyard staff and their families |
|
· Johner Estate |
· Greytown Pharmacy |
|
|
· Urlar Estate |
· Wycroft Vineyard |
· Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival |
|
· 3 Terraces |
· Loopline Vineyard |
7 December 2010
She was our choice...
David and I are sadly drinking a bottle of Sophie's Choice this evening...
Sophie died tonight. She spent last weekend with us at Hatepe, and Meg almost came to love her! She walked the track by the river and paddled in the lake. But yesterday, fighting arthritis, old age and whatever all became too much for her. She had a quiet and peaceful couple of days before she died tonight.
We will miss her hugely... She has been with us almost the whole time we have been at Gladstone. She was my company when David spent 2-3 months in the UK. She chased birds under the nets, ate the grapes at the crusher and had to be tied up at the cafe in case she pestered the customers too much. She survived tetanus. Des Britten even commented on her as an icon at the cafe...
No more sadly, and she won't be there to celebrate our 15th anniversary at Gladstone Vineyard early next year. But her wine will be. Please raise your glasses and drink a toast to a remarkable blonde bombshell (who occasionally looked like a two-tone car when she came back from the wet lands).
We'll miss her
Christine
November 2010
GLADSTONE VINEYARD TAKES TOP PINOT TROPHY IN HONG KONG
Gladstone Vineyard has taken out the trophy for Best Pinot Noir at the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition, securing our track record for producing world class Pinot Noir. The Gladstone Vineyard 2009 Pinot Noir won two trophies at the competition – for Best Pinot Noir and Best New World Pinot Noir.
The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition is the only truly Asian competition designed specifically for the tastes and consumption preferences of the Asian market.
The Asian market is becoming increasingly significant for us, so these awards are a coup in terms of our marketing efforts in the region.
November 2010
GLADSTONE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR FLIES HIGH
Gladstone Vineyard's critically acclaimed Pinot Noir has gone from world class to business class, after being selected by Air New Zealand to serve to its business class passengers on international flights.
The process Air New Zealand uses to select wines is not only competitive, but meticulous, with the airline's wine consultants blind tasting some of New Zealand's best wines. Wines are chosen not only for their quality, but also their servability 30,000 feet up in the air.
Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 will be available to Air New Zealand business class passengers from February 2011.
September 2010
GLADSTONE VINEYARD TEAMS UP WITH MACVINE FOR NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUTION
From 1 October, both our Gladstone Vineyard and our 12,000 Miles wines will be distributed across New Zealand (bar the Wairarapa) by Macvine International Limited. We will continue to service the Wairarapa region directly from the vineyard.
We are excited about the opportunities that arise for our customers through being able to source our complete range of wines from one supplier.
Macvine has a strong sales team throughout New Zealand and are able to provide a top professional service to all our trade customers. We look forward to working together.
September 2010
Gold AGAin
It's fair to say we never tire of this... Gladstone Vineyard's Pinot Noir has yet again achieved gold standard - this time at the New Zealand International Wine Show, the largest wine competition held in New Zealand, attracting entries from around the world.
We received the gold medal for our 2008 Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir, which already has a gold under its belt from the International Wine Challenge in London earlier this year. We are absolutely thrilled to have such a solid track record for our Pinot Noir - that's five years of gold medals - the last three of which have seen twin golds achieved.
August 2010
SCOTTISH WINE
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.
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 NOIR
Gladstone 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.
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
Follow a wee blog
