I just read in the Decanter Wine News today that singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh is due to be the latest personality to sell off part of his wine collection at auction. Today's clip then has to be his well known 1986 No.1 hit 'Lady in Red' (appropriate when we are talking wine!) Read all about the amazing line ...

With 2011 well underway here at Sandihurst in New Zealand the 2011 Chinese Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year is about to start on February 3rd, bringing the 'Year of the Rabbit' and perhaps a calmer year all round, if that is possible? It is the most important traditional festival in China and a time for families to be together. Celebrations ...

'tis the season... We'll be closed from 25 December until 4 January 2011. Cellar Door open for tastings and sales from 5 January 2011. We plan on having a wonderful time with our family and friends and we would like to wish each and everyone the same - have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year! From all of us here at Sandihurst - thanks for the past ...

Flowering time in the Sandihurst vines. Heres a close up of whats going on. Flowering has started, meaning the cap has fallen from the berry, exposing the anthers and stigma. Given the right weather conditions (and it has been great this year in Waipara) there will be a transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma. Grapes are self fertilising. ...

Apart from selecting from our wonderful range of wines to give for Christmas, we thought that we would also uncover for you other gifts available online for the wine lover who has everything. The Double Wine Bag (pictured above)  fashioned after Santa's trousers certainly makes a statement and will be a gift never to be forgotten. Perhaps only uselful once a year? We ...

Friday Clip - take the stairs!

I was recently sent a You Tube link of a performance by the Companhia National de Bailado (National Ballet of Portugal), a company I used to dance for many, many moons ago. This video is totally non wine related but true to our Friday clips, I thought worth sharing as it reminded me of Portugal. White Nights (1985) starred ...

The fruit is growing, getting larger and will soon begin flowering. Fingers crossed for warm settled weather during this time. Its been a great start to the season to date.

Its been a great start to the season. No frost worries, plenty of heat and just the right amount of rain. The vines are growing superbly as they head towards their next major event - flowering. This should be within the next few weeks. The vines above, in our Georges Road vineyard in Waipara, have been shoot thinned already and each vine has ...