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| 12 August 2009 |
Winter update |
It is hard to believe we are into August already, however we have certainly had enough of winter and are all looking forward to spring!
Recently all the staff from Waipara took a field trip up to Marlborough to visit our vineyards and to gain more of an insight into the location and aspects that each of the vineyards has to offer. It also made a change for Mark, our Marlborough Vineyard Manager, (and only Marlborough based staff member), who usually comes to visit us in Waipara!
Mark gave us a guided tour of the three vineyards (Rowley Crescent, Stoney Range and Sandy Creek), explaining the philosophy and practices used in each of the vineyards. It was certainly a great insight for those of us that aren't completely familiar with the Marlborough vineyards and well worth doing to visualise them and comprehend the scale of what is involved in maintaining them to produce some great wines. Mark certainly does a fantastic job, and the well managed vineyards produce wines that reflect this.
We then had a most enjoyable evening meal and some of us ventured out into the nightlife of Blenheim. The following day saw us visit Grove Mill winery and Mahi winery to have a look at some different processes and winery equipment, needless to say our winery staff now have a long wish list of new "must have" gadgets! Thank you to the staff at both those wineries who very kindly took the time to show us around. Then it was time for lunch and a leisurely drive back along the Kaikoura coastline.
It was a great two days and really worthwhile for all of us, the staff really appreciated Dayne & Jill giving us the opportunity to do it and would love to do it again!
Currently pruning is underway and nearly completed in both Marlborough and Waipara. The winery guys are preparing to bottle our first 2009 Sauvignon Blanc next week, it is always an exciting time for us when the first wine of the vintage is bottled, keep an eye out for it! |
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