Wednesday, 18 September 2024

Winemaker crown back in Central

    By Mark Henderson

    Congratulations to Nina Downer of Felton Road Wines, who has won the NZ Young Viticulturist of the Year competition, bringing the crown back to Central! Nina travelled to Escarpment Vineyard in Martinborough at the end of August to compete with other finalists from around the country.

    The challenges for the young viticulturists included writing a biosecurity report and plan, setting up a trellising system, calibrating a seeder, sitting an interview and a general viti paper on soil, nutrition and pests and diseases. They also had to assess an unexpected mock incident to test their leadership skills under pressure, went head to head in the infamous BioStart Hortisports, then finally delivered their speeches at the celebration dinner at Te Papa.

    Nina won an amazing prize package including a Ford Ranger for a year, a $6000 Ecotrellis Travel Grant, a leadership week and some Infaco Electrocoup secateurs worth $3000.

    Alexandra Basin Winegrowers — New Release Tasting 2024

    A heads up on this, as these things invariably come around quicker than you think! It’s at Clyde Railway Station Reserve on Sunday October 27 (Labour Weekend), 1pm-4pm.

    The $35 ticket price includes entry to the event, all tastings, tasting glass and a booklet listing the vineyards and wines available to taste — plus special buying privileges on the day at a discounted event rate — along with complementary cheese, crackers and condiments and live music.

    Food stall on-site and take home sales are available. For more information email info@alexandrabasinwines.co.nz or go to Eventbrite for tickets.

    Pedal & Pour Bike Adventure Races at Carrick Winery

    Saturday, September 21, 2024. Start and finish at Carrick Winery, Bannockburn.

    A series ranging from a 5km family fun ride around the vineyard through to a 33km adventure open race.

    Spot prizes, DJ, and Cromwell MTB Club members on site to provide tips and tricks.

    All adult tickets include a glass of wine and a picnic-style lunch: the glass is yours to keep.

    The Pedal & Pour is an opportunity to bring together the mountain bike community for a day of family fun, adventure and challenge.

    2022 Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir

     
    Price RRP $97.50
    Rating Outstanding
     
    Engaging nose, 
    refinement, 
    elegance, a sense of 
    pinosity. Complex, 
    offering flashes of 
    dried herb, stony 
    minerals, savoury 
    nuances, ripe fruit 
    and perfume. 
    Continues the theme 
    on the palate, 
    cooling cranberry, 
    crunchy vibrancy, 
    juiciness, silky with 
    fine, chewy tannins 
    underpinning it. 
    Power without 
    heaviness, light on 
    its feet, very long, 
    elegant close. Delightful.
     
     

    2023 Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir

     
    Price RRP $83.50
    Rating Outstanding
     
    Smoke and gravel 
    dust, wild thyme, 
    lovely violet-y 
    florality, savoury, 
    lead pencil, swelling 
    fruit in support. 
    Wonderful depth in 
    the mouth, a sense 
    of purity, powerful 
    tannins adding a 
    grainy feel to the 
    texture, never harsh, 
    in perfect harmony 
    with the wine. A 
    delightfully, long, 
    long close. Screams 
    potential. Effortless, 
    draws you back 
    again and again. 
    Serious.
     
     

    2022 Gibbston Valley Glenlee Single Vineyard Gibbston Pinot Noir

     
    Price RRP $80
    Rating Excellent to Outstanding
     
    Fragrance, herbs, 
    perfume, an 
    impression of lightness 
    and delicacy yet 
    certainly not 
    underpowered. Palate 
    resumes the journey, 
    lightness of being, 
    ethereality yet 
    deceptive fruit weight 
    and tannic support 
    underpinning. A core of 
    crushed leaf and herb 
    runs through the wine, 
    bright acidity reinforc
    ing the freshness. Its 
    youth more evident 
    now, bodes well for the 
    future.