SEPTEMBER 2009

NEW ACCOLADES

NY TIMES ARTICLE RATES 2007 WIEMER DRY RIESLING AMONG TOP 10 IN NORTH AMERICA
In the September 30, 2009 column for The New York Times, entitled "Riesling Gains a U.S. Foothold", 2007 Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Riesling was rated among the top Rieslings in the country.

"2 1/2 Stars - Balanced and very dry; tropical fruit, citrus and mineral flavors."

MAY 2009

NEW ACCOLADES

JANCIS ROBINSON NAMES TRINITY HILL THE GIMBLETT A "BORDEAUX BEST BUY"
In her May 15, 2009 column for The Financial Times, entitled "Bordeaux versus the world", Jancis Robinson talked about two recent tastings pitting first-growth Bordeaux from the favored 2005 vintage against Bordeaux varietals from Chile and New Zealand, as well as a 2005 Bordeaux only tasting.

On the basis of these three tastings, Ms. Robinson offers her five "best buys." The first listing:
Trinity Hill the Gimblett

COMPLEX AMERICAN WINE AT A PRICE EASY TO PAY
In the May 19 edition of The New York Times, Eric Asimov gives praise to Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard: "The search for distinctive American wines at reasonable prices almost requires ventures into the wine industry's back roads. Few bottles will be so rewarding as the 2006 Hermann J. Wiemer dry riesling from the Finger Lakes."

MARCH 2009

NEW ACCOLADES

JANCIS ROBINSON REPORTS ON THE STATE OF PINOT NOIR IN NEW ZEALAND
A review from her recent tasting in March including reviews for Huia and Muddy Water Pinot Noir is available by clicking this text.

FEBRUARY 2009

NEW ACCOLADES

GIMBLETT GRAVELS VS. BORDEAUX BLIND TASTING IN LONDON
Jancis Robinson has just written about the results of a recent London tasting where red wines from Gimblett Gravels in Hawkes Bay were pitted against the best of Bordeaux. As Jancis reports, the judges were surprised at the results of the “David vs. Goliath” match-up – and Jancis’ favorite NZ competitor was the 2006 Trinity Hill “The Gimblett”. Read more about the event here.

JANUARY 2009

NEW ACCOLADES

MUDDY WATER FEATURED IN FEBRUARY 2009 ISSUE OF DECANTER MAGAZINE.
Decanter Magazine’s February 2009 issue featured the Waipara region of New Zealand. Author Bob Campbell, MW, says “Waipara is stepping out of New Zealand’s shadows straight into the spotlight,” and goes on to conclude, “Waipara is hot – both for producers looking to expand and consumers looking to discover new, high quality wines.”

Muddy Water is featured as one of the producers “leading the charge”, with 5-star reviews for both the 2007 James Hardwick Riesling and the 2006 Pinot Noir.

November 2008

WINERY NEWS

NEWSLETTER FROM MUDDY WATER
The following link provides some great info on the most recent growing season and harvest from our friends at Muddy Water. Link to the Muddy Water Newsletter by clicking on this text.

You can also sign up to have the Muddy Water Newsletter emailed directly to you by clicking this link to their site.

OCTOBER 2008

NEW ACCOLADES

HERMANN J. WIEMER WINES RECEIVES EXCELLENT RATING FROM ROBERT PARKER'S BUYING GUIDE.
Robert Parker's wine guide, Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide No 7, named Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard one of New York's Best Producers, bestowing a 4-star excellent rating.
For printable article please visit http://www.wiemer.com/tradeSite/

HERMANN J. WIEMER WINES RECEIVES KEY PRODUCER RATING FROM SOMMELIER JOURNAL.
Sommelier Journal in the October 2008 issue called Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard a key producer of Riesling in the United States.
For printable article please visit http://www.wiemer.com/tradeSite/

FLEDGLING NEW ZEALAND WINEGROWING DISTRICT GIMBLETT GRAVELS IS RECOGNIZED AS A SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO SOME OF THE WORLD'S FINEST WINES.
A very exclusive event took place in Taupo this past Saturday. A selection of six New Zealand produced ‘off the shelf’ wines from the tiny 800ha Gimblett Gravels wine-growing district in the Hawke’s Bay were tested against six very highly-rated wines from the celebrated Bordeaux region in France.
Four of the top six wines, including the judging team's first preference were from Gimblett Gravels.
The 2005 Trinity Hill "The Gimblett" was amoung the top, receiving a 6th place ranking.
Read the full article by clicking this link.

AURUM WINES ACHIEVES SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING NEW ZEALAND ACCREDIDATION
Aurum Wines is now fully accredited with Sustainable Winegrowing NZ. More information regarding the program is available at http://www.nzwine.com/swnz

BIRD WINES ACHIEVES SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING NEW ZEALAND ACCREDIDATION
Bird Wines is now fully accredited with Sustainable Winegrowing NZ. More information regarding this program is available on our New Zealand page.

NORTH CAROLINA WINEMAKER LUNCH WITH CLAIRE ALLEN OF HUIA VINEYARDS
Ed Williams, staff columnist with the Greensboro, North Carolina News & Record sat down to "compare notes on bothersome bugs (New Zealand doesn't have many), on clay (New Zealand's is a light, blowsy soil, different from Dixie's gluey muck), and on our two different worlds turned upside down" with Claire Allen in early October.
Link to the article here...

SEPTEMBER 2008

NEW ACCOLADES

GREAT REVIEW OF A FEW VIA PACIFICA SELECTIONS WINES FROM RECENT BLOG POSTING
Cynthia from Indulgethself.com "A guilt-free blog on pampering the mind, body and spirit" reccommends a few wines from Via Pacifica Selections in her recent blog posting on wines of New Zealand.
Link to the article here...

VIA PACIFICA SELECTIONS NEW VINTAGE WINE RELEASE

SPINYBACK 2008 SAUVIGNON BLANC NOW AVAILABLE
The first of the 2008 New Zealand vintage is now available from Via Pacifica Selections!!!

AUGUST 2008

ALPHA DOMUS RATED AMONG TOP 5 UNOAKED CHARDONNAYS BY EPICURIOUS.COM
A recent article by Roger Morris on Epicurious.com rated the 2006 Alpha Domus Unoaked Chardonnay in the top 5 for Unoaked Chardonnays; an impressive feat considering his list included wines from around the world!

"This Chardonnay gets its complexity from lees (sediment) stirring, which involves allowing fermented wine to linger amid yeast cells and tiny bits of skin and pulp. The result is a lively blend of pineapples and pears with a richness that is nonetheless dry.
Roger Morris Epicurious.com August 2008

JULY 2008

HUIA VINEYARDS RECEIVES CARBON ZERO CERTIFICATION
"We are very happy to announce that we have received a Carbon Zero Certification: you can view it on this link http://www.carbonzero.co.nz/members/organisations_certified.asp
Huia Vineyards July 2008

The case study may be viewed by clicking here

JUNE 2008

NEW ACCOLADES

MUDDY WATER 2006 PINOT NOIR

"Delicious pinot with intenese plum, spice and black cherry flavours, beautifully enhanced with classy oak. It could be described as a fruit bomb if it wasn't for a pleasing array of spice and savoury flavours. Silken Texture and very appealing."
Gourmet Traveler June/July 2008

MUDDY WATER 2006 PINOT NOIR
MUDDY WATER 2006 PINOT NOIR SLOW HAND
"In Waipara… I really enjoyed the pinots from Muddy Water. The 2006 Muddy Water Pinot Noir ($32) displays ripe, juicy cherry, some nice spice and a slightly astringent finish. The 2006 Muddy Water “Slowhand” Pinot Noir ($40), which has very limited availability, is more lush and supple, with raspberry and cherry flavors."
Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News -- June 18, 2008

MAY 2008

WINE DINNER WITH PAUL HAM FROM ALPHA DOMUS
"Wine fanatics are always talking about pairing the right wine and the right food, but we often forget about the third key element -- a good conversation while we're eating and drinking. At a recent dinner matching the wines of New Zealand's Alpha Domus winery and food from the Fair Hill Inn in Maryland, we had the right combination of all three."
Roger Morris The News Journal May 2008

The complete article may be viewed here

APRIL 2008

NEW ACCOLADES

TRINITY HILL 2006 HOMAGE SYRAH
95 Points
"The awesome 2006 Homage Syrah has a truly wonderful, exuberant nose with pure blackberry, white pepper, a touch of leather and briar. Superb definition. The palate is medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, feminine, touches of white pepper, hedgerow and briery. As much finesse as a Romanee-Saint-Vivant with its silky smooth finish. Brilliant.

Trinity Hill is one of Hawkes Bay's outstanding producers and one of the country's finest proponents of Syrah. With two 20-hectare holdings in the Gimblett Gravels, chief winemaker and -bluesman- John Hancock along with Warren Gibson (see Bilancia) and Michael Bell are fashioning dense, powerful yet supremely well-balanced wines that rank amongst the best wines New Zealand produces and come highly recommended."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate April 2008

TRINITY HILL 2006 GIMBLETT GRAVELS SYRAH
93 Points
"The magnificent 2006 Gimblett Gravels Syrah shone out amongst its peers. It displays a more open-knit, well-defined, leathery nose with a vibrant white pepper component. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with firm but fine tannins, very harmonious and focused with blackberry, white pepper, plum and leather. Very good persistency towards the finish with a beguiling sense of natural elegance. Italian grape varietals obviously hold an allure for Trinity Hill and both the Tempranillo and Montelpulciano can be considered modest successes.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate April 2008

BIRD 2006 MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR
91 Points
"Fermented and matured in a 900-liter barrel, the aptly entitled 2006 Big Barrel Pinot Noir is impressive with a beautifully defined, very natural red cherry, earth-tinged nose that you might find in Pommard, the palate light but very well-balanced with great poise and precision with raspberry leaf and wild strawberry on the supple finish. Drink over the next 5-6 years."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate April 2008

BIRD 2007 MARLBOROUGH GEWURZTRAMINER
91 Points
"The 2007 OSV Gewurztraminer is much better, with an engaging nose of rose petals, pear drops, beeswax and acacia. The palate is very well-balanced with good poise and touches of dried apricot, dried pineapple and quince on the understated finish.

Roseworthy-trained Steve Bird aka “Birdman” founded Thornbury Vineyards with his wife Caroline before setting out on his own adventure after buying the “Old Schoolhouse Vineyard” in Omaka Springs. This is a source of very natural, well-crafted wines from an experienced hand and certainly a name to watch out for in the future. "
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate April 2008

FEBRUARY 2008

NEW ACCOLADES

BIRD 2007 MARLBOROUGH SAVIGNON BLANC

"Though not a complicated wine, this is absolutely delicious. The sweet, ripe, tropical nose precedes excellent gooseberry flavours that are beautifully balanced with the wine's acidity. A winner"
TiZwine.com - February 2008

JANUARY 2008

NEW ACCOLADES

ALPHA DOMUS 2002 HAWKES BAY THE AVIATOR

"Cassis, chocolate, dark roasted coffee beans and ripe spices leap out of the glass. Very upfront but measured fruit. The rich, ripe and equally generous tannins are very intense. The structure is rich but no hard, and there is freshness on the finish."
Decanter: New Zealand Guide 2008, February 2008

WAIMEA 2007 NELSON SAUVIGNON BLANC

"A pungent, exciting nose. The palate is nectarines, green pepper and gooseberry, but there are delicious spice and meat notes."
Decanter: New Zealand Guide 2008, February 2008

HUIA 2007 MARLBOROUGH PINOT GRIS

"Dry, delicate and stylish, minerals, toasted almond. Asian pear, stonefruit and citrus. Crisp and long; best with food."
Decanter: New Zealand Guide 2008, February 2008

DECEMBER 2007

NEWS RELEASE: VIA PACIFICA SELECTIONS' WINERIES HONORED IN WINE REPORT 2008
Trinity Hill of Hawke’s Bay, Muddy Water of Waipara, and Aurum of the Central Otago region, win accolades in the latest edition of Tom Stevenson's award-winning wine guide, Wine Report 2008.

NOVEMBER 2007

NEW ACCOLADES

OLSSENS BRING HOME TROPHY AT WINESTATE MAGAZINE WINE AWARDS
Congratulations to our friends at Olssens who were honored by Winestate Magazine with the Winestate Pinot Noir Wine of the Year award.

TRINITY HILL SYRAH WINS TOP TROPHY AT AIR NEW ZEALAND AWARDS
Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2006 has won the Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show Trophy. Organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, the Air New Zealand Wine Awards is the country's most prestigious wine competition with 1,540 wines entered this year. Air New Zealand Wine Awards chair of judges, Steve Smith, Master of Wine (MW), said, “The Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2006 can only be described as an iron fist in a velvet glove. It has extremely complex flavours which are simply fantastic, but it is not flamboyant or hard-hitting."
The Syrah was also recognized with the Fruitfed Supplies Champion Syrah Trophy.

WAIMEA 2007 NELSON PINOT GRIS
Ranked in Peter Saunders' 'Best of the Best 2008' in the December issue of Food & Beverage Magazine.

HUIA 2006 MARLBOROUGH PINOT GRIS
"Medium-bodied and well-focused, with ripe pear and mango aromas as well as a touch of hazelnut and spice. Very smooth and elegant, with good length."
1 of 6 wines “from producers who have led the way with Alsatian varieties and given them special attention.”
Jim Clarke - San Francisco Chronicle - November 2, 2007

ALPHA DOMUS 2006 HAWKES BAY VIOGNIER

"Luscious and full bodied, this is an intensely flavored Viognier, with excellent flavor and length. It tastes of ripe peach, pear, and roasted nut. Great value."
Ronn Weigand , Restaurant Wine, Issue 119/120

BIRD 2006 MARLBOROUGH PINOT GRIS

"Fine Pinot Gris, in a full, crisp, aromatic, complex style. It is finely flavored (almond, lemon peel, grapefruit, roasted nut), well balanced, and long on the finish."
Ronn Weigand , Restaurant Wine, Issue 119/120

BIRD 2006 MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC

"Full bodied, crisp, and delicately flavored – a Sauvignon with lemon grass, lime, grapefruit, and mint aromas/flavors. Long finish."
Ronn Weigand , Restaurant Wine, Issue 119/120

WAIMEA NOMINATED FOR WINESTATE MAGAZINE'S TOP 5 AWARDS
Winestate, Australia's oldest wine publication has announced nominations for this years' Wine of the Year Awards. Congratulations to Waimea Estates for its nomination as one of the Top 5 NZ wine companies, and to and Waimea winemaker Mike Brown for his nomination in the Top 5 NZ winemakers category.

OCTOBER 2007

MUDDY WATER OCTOBER 2007 NEWSLETTER
Get the latest news from our friends at Muddy Water and learn what Miranda Brown, Vineyard Manager and Belinda Gould, Winemaker have to say about the 2007 harvest.

NEW ACCOLADES

SPINYBACK 2006 NELSON PINOT NOIR

Best Buy
"Maybe not a complicated wine but a thoroughly well made one that represents tremendous value. The ripe berry aromas that have a smoky edge are followed by sweet plum flavours and subtle tannins. This general sweetness persists in a lingering finish."
TiZwine.com - October 2007

BELL BIRD BAY 2006 NEW ZEALAND MERLOT

Best Buy
"Bright, fragrant, and approachable, with a sniff or two of cedary oak and loads of soft, ripe flavours... Outstanding value."
Cuisine - September 2007

TRINITY HILL 2006 HAWKES BAY GIMBLETT GRAVELS SYRAH
Named Champion Shiraz/Syrah and Champion Red Wine at the Liquorland Top 100 International Wine Competition 2007. The Syrah bested over 500 wines and is the first New Zealand wine to win the coveted Shiraz/Syrah award in the 14-year history of this international competition. Until this year the trophy had gone to Australia.

ALPHA DOMUS 2006 CHARDONNAY (UNOAKED)
Wine of the Week "Delicate tropical fruit notes, clean fruit flavors, and acid levels that
are ideal for serving with grilled seafood drizzled with lemon.”
Dan Berger's Vintages Experiences - October 2007

HUIA 2006 MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Exceptional "Complex aroma of dried and fresh green herbs, lime and a racy tropical note in the finish. Better and more interesting than when released months ago."
Dan Berger's Vintages Experiences - October 2007

HUIA 2004 MARLBOROUGH RIESLING
Paired with pumpkin panzanella salad. "Very dry and full-flavored, and has an acidity that balances the sweetness of roasted pumpkin..."
PAGE SIX Magazine - October 2007

SEPTEMBER 2007

INDUSTRY ARTICLE ON MARKETING TO MILLENIALS
New Zealand held up as a success story by Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine

TECHNICAL ARTICLE ON ROLL FERMENTORS
Cutting-edge technology used by Bird Winery

NEW ACCOLADES FOR WAIMEA & SPINYBACK - Reviews from TiZwine, September 2007

WAIMEA ESTATES 2007 NELSON SAUVIGNON BLANC

"This wine is definitely one for the cellar as we believe that it has great potential. Already the wine has decent tropical fruit aromas and flavours combined with balanced acidity and a clean, crisp finish although the best is yet to come."

SPINYBACK 2007 NELSON SAUVIGNON BLANC Coming Soon!

BEST BUY
"The restrained peach aromas could not quite prepare you for this opulent almost creamy wine with its green, herbaceous flavours, solid weight and fine acid beads that runs seamlessly through it. Excellent value."

NEWS RELEASE: VIA PACIFICA SELECTIONS ADDS WAIMEA ESTATES TO PORTFOLIO
Second-largest vineyard/winery operation in the Nelson region exclusively offered by Via Pacifica.

2007 NEW ZEALAND REGIONAL VINTAGE FIELD REPORT
What can you expect from 2007 New Zealand wines? Read the vintage reports direct from our wine growers in the Hawkes Bay, Nelson, Marlborough, Waipara, and Central Otago regions of New Zealand.

AUGUST 2007

NEWS RELEASE: VIA PACIFICA SELECTIONS ADDS TRINITY HILL TO PORTFOLIO
Well-established Hawkes Bay winery is latest addition to the Via Pacifica portfolio.