Winter 2010 Newsletter

NZ Pinot Noir is World Beater Martinborough Pinot Noir scoops top prize from 10,983 entries in world’s biggest wine show A small winery from Wairarapa which only planted its 12 hectares of vines in 1999 has triumphed over Pinot Noirs from 19 other countries including France, Italy, Australia, the USA, Chile and Germany to win the International Pinot Noir Trophy at the world’s biggest and most prestigious wine show, The Decanter World Wine Awards. London’s Royal Opera House was the venue for last night’s unveiling of the 28 ultimate world beating wines from the 10,983 entries in the 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards.   Click HERE to read more

Being Boutique No Barrier  Size really does not matter when it comes to fine wine.  Martinborough produces less than 4 percent of New Zealand’s wine but took 20 percent of Decanter magazine’s Top 20 picks for “exciting producers and stunning wines”. “It’s a big result for a small region: four Martinborough wineries in the Top 20,” commented Wines From Martinborough General Manager Kaylene Moore. “Martinborough is a boutique, premium wine district, where consistent quality is everything. We are very proud of Ata Rangi, Dry River, Escarpment and Martinborough Vineyard. Click here for more details.

Pinot Speed Dating Pinot Speed Dating was a fun and innovative opportunity for wine lovers to taste to 11 Martinborough Pinot Noirs, and decide which pinot was there ‘perfect Pinot partner’. Held at Brackenridge Country retreat & Spa in Martinborough, each pinot date was carefully matched with a tapas style dish from chef Travis Clive-Griffin, Bar Saluté. Pinot Speed Dating was the Wines From Martinborough keynote event for the Visa Wellington On A Plate festival.  www.wellingtononaplate.com Click here to read the post event blog and the video or visit www.pinotspeeddating.co.nz to view the dating line up and details about the next event.

Primary Pinot Some vigorous yet good-natured bidding for the unique Primary Pinot Noir 200 Hands 2009 raised over $6000 for Martinborough School in late July.  The auction culminated an 18 month joint project between Martinborough Vineyards and Martinborough School, which started when the primary school children helped pick and press the grapes in the old fashioned style under their feet.  Click HERE for more details.   The project was more than a fundraiser, being used as practical example for the school’s technology class in a district where grape growing and wine production is a major economic activity. Students created artwork for labels, with four ultimately selected for printing.  The 200 Hands name celebrates the school’s growth, reaching 200 pupils in 2009. The impetus for the project came from Pete Wilkins in his dual capacity as Viticulturist for Martinborough Vineyards and School Trustee.  It was enthusiastically supported by the school, with Principal, Ann Easter commenting “it’s good to see it all come to fruition and know the community and school are working so closely together”. There are a very limited number of bottles still available, so contact Peter on 06-306 9955 or wines@martinborough-vineyard.co.nz to get your hands on them.

Martinborough in the Media Visitors to Martinborough are an important part of the marketing mix: visiting cellar doors, buying wine here and when they get home and telling their friends.  Media coverage in international and national publications helps lift Martinborough’s profile, and Wines From Martinborough works closely with regional tourism organisation Destination Wairarapa.  Click here for recent media coverage examples.

Key Toast Martinborough Dates  The Toast Martinborough Wine Food & Music Festival is to be held on Sunday 21 November 2010. Go to www.toastmartinborough.co.nz to view the festival programme including vineyards, caterers and bands. Tickets for 2010 will go on sale at 9am on Wednesday 6 October 2010, through www.ticketek.co.nz by phone or online only.  Get in quickly as tickets sell literally in minutes.

Great wine tasting starts in the glass Relish the experience of tasting fine wine from perfectly     designed glasses,  delivering the wine precisely for maximum effect.  Taste the results for yourself, Monday 18 October with Schubert Wines, Riedel Glasses and Hancocks. As an added incentive, a Vinum Extreme Tasting Pack of glasses is available for less than trade price for participants. Email info@schubert.co.nz for more information.

Feast your senses Fine Martinborough wines will be served alongside fabulous local art at the ‘Five at 11’ exhibition opening on Thursday 4 November.  Five artists (Lynne Sandri, Sally Burton, Dean Proudfoot, Michele Bryant and Jason Hicks) will present their latest works alongside the latest Martinborough vintages, at Shed 11, Queens Wharf.  Wines From Martinborough is pleased to support this exhibition, following the successful ‘3,4,FIVE’ show last year.  Fabulous art and great wine complement each other beautifully as they are both a feast for the senses.  If you would like to receive an invitation, please contact exhibition organiser  Lynne Sandri ( l.sandri@xtra.co.nz) .  The opening is 5.30-7.30pm, 4 November 2010 at Shed 11, by invitation only. If you want to find out more about the artists, go to their websites www.lynnesandri.co.nz, www.sallyburton.co.nz, www.michelebryant.co.nz, www.jasonhicksart.com, and www.watermarkltd.com.