December 28th, 2009
As we head into the New Year heres a photo of the winery. As a quick summary of where things are at the moment, all 2009 white wines have been recently bottled and you can see them there in cases at the back of the photograph. They are both single vineyard wines from Waipara, a Pinot Gris and a Riesling. More detail on those wines in future posts as they near release.
Our 2009 ...
December 28th, 2009
Its not all work and no play at Sandihurst during Christmas time. Most people in New Zealand live within a few minutes drive of the sea and Christmas is normally warm and dry (well it is Summer). The meaty smell of a BBQ is never far away and its a good time to be drinking wine, not just producing it. Christmas Day in Christchurch this year was a scorcher so it was Whites all the way ...
December 22nd, 2009
A quick reminder, if you needed any, about the magic of Riesling. The introduction to Jancis Robinsons Wine Course episode on Riesling. JR refers (rightly) to Riesling as making 'the greatest white wines in the world' and labels Chardonnay as 'boring'. She talks to a youthful looking Ernst Loosen and also points the finger at the Germans for creating the image problem Riesling is currently facing.
December 22nd, 2009
Its bad timing to say the least, this close to Christmas. NZ Winegrowers have, just last week, had a 'State of the Industry' meeting in Marlborough. For those unable to attend they have posted a video of the event on the internet here. (nb-now changed to NZW members only viewing - sorry)
Essentially grim viewing. Yes sales are up but most of the increases are due to bulk wine (mostly Sauvignon Blanc) being ...
December 17th, 2009
Pinot Noir in the Brennan vineyard, Gibbston Valley, flowering just underway, a slightly cooler start to the season than normal but remarkably no frosts in November.
The iconic Cardrona pub on the Crown Range road from Queenstown to Wanaka
Looking back across to the Pisa vineyards from the Bendigo ...
A native of Christchurch, and a curious wanderer of distant shores, Kirk’s talent for beautiful wines can, at least in part, be attributed to his dark decade in chartered accountancy. There, amongst the spreadsheets, columns and rows, Kirk is said to have developed the finely-tuned attention to detail he was later to apply to Sandihurst’s advantage.
It was following a culturally eye-opening period in Europe and Asia that Kirk experienced the moment of truth that was to drive him to abandon his pinstripes and retrain. He had tasted life, French pastries and dim sum and now he wanted more. So, roll up his neatly pressed sleeves he did. Enlightened and decidedly un-accountant-like, Kirk then took his new-found talents to California and Germany’s Pfalz where he refined his vinous skills and gained further invaluable experience. And a family. Finally, and after several happy years, the lure of New Zealand proved too strong to resist, and Kirk returned home and into the veritable arms of Sandihurst Winery.
Artist and alchemist, whilst Kirk’s Mr Nice Guy persona belies a dry wit and wicked laugh, his genius knows only modesty. When he declares his wine to be “okay”, it’s time to bank another medal.
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