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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

12/28/2015 - Cocktails to Bring in the New Year and an Exciting New Designer Cider, Appleman

Slow Living Radio welcomes Megan Broberg, creator of Appleman Cider and Paul Martin of Napa Valley Distillery to bring in the New Year and say farewell to 2015.  We hear of Megan's inspirational path from advertising to winemaker to creator of the fabulous designer line of Ciders.  Paul Martin brings his mixology prowess to the show with new ideas, trends, tipples for parties and more adventures.  Sit back, pour yourself your favorite beverage and enjoy!


Megan Broberg
Appleman Cider

Megan Broberg started her career in the advertising industry, spending over 15 years working for some of the biggest agencies in the world. Then, through a chance temp job at Domaine Chandon in the Yarra Valley, she began the transition to winemaker.
 
Thanks to the wonderfully symbiotic relationship between advertising and alcohol the transition was a relatively easy one. Trading high heels and city glamour for work boots and a ute, Megan enrolled in Wine Science at Charles Sturt, and continued to expand her winemaking knowledge with vintage roles at Rosemount Estate, Domaine Chandon, then working as a production winemaker in the Southern Highlands in NSW.

In 2013, seeing the explosion of popularity of cider, and not finding any cider that she liked, Megan launched Appleman with at desire to bring the sensibility of winemaking to cider production. But also, to have the experimental freedom in flavor development that traditional winemaking does not allow.

The first cider, Primo, launched in January 2013 was an apple cider with a touch of fresh pear. This was followed in August, by the launch of Apple with Green Tea, and Apple with Rosewater. All the ciders are made with 100% fresh fruit (not concentrate) from the Snowy Mountains of NSW, and are flavoured with the purest natural ingredients; using the finest hand milled Matcha green tea from Japan, and organic distilled Roses.
 
The ciders are sold in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, and all going to plan she will be expanding into the US by summer 2016.

 




Paul Martin
Tasting Room Manager/Brand Ambassador
Napa Valley Distillery


Tonight, Paul brings us ideas for celebration, trends and tipples for the new year, and some great recipes.

Paul had been enjoying “mixed” beverages since 2001, but it wasn’t until 2008 that he learned the difference between good and bad “booze” and became “intoxicated” with the industry.  Working his way through all aspects, from tour guide, to production, bottling, tasting room management, and of course, mixing, Paul has an acute sense of  the defining levels of many spirits including vodka, gin, brandy, tequila, rum, whiskey, absinthe, liquor, and the accompanying world of bitters.



Leading the tasting room of Napa Valley Distillery, Paul is often seen guiding large groups through a more extensive selection of beverages than one would ever see in a wine tasting room.  One could wonder whether his goal was to educate or inebriate?

Family owned and operated by Arthur and Lusine Hartunian, Napa Valley Distillery was founded on one basic principal - Make it different!

 





Sunday, December 20, 2015

12/14/2015 - Ireland's Magnificent Ashford Castle

Slow Living Radio brings you a very special show, coming from the magical Ashford Castle in Cong, Ireland.  Here, Stephen and Sally interviewed the hotel's General Manager, Niall Rochford, Restaurant and Wine Program Manager, Robert Bowe, and Debbie Knight, owner of the acclaimed Ireland School of Falconry.  Hear their fascinating stories, and the story of the castle. And then, venture over for a visit yourself, we promise you, it will be one of your most memorable vacations - you'll be telling your own Ashford Castle story for years after!


From the moment you are greeted by the grandly robed footman at the towering greystone Entry Arch that welcomes guests to Ashford Castle, you are enveloped in that warm and generous Irish hospitality – right up until that sad time when you have to depart the estate grounds of the palatial 12th century property.






A trip to Ireland would not be complete without at least one night at this iconic estate, Ireland’s oldest castle hotel. Every experience is a treasure to hold, from the amazing meals and high teas, or whiskey at the historic bar, to the abundance of unique activities, and the lure of the property's many "nooks" where you just want to snuggle up and dream of times past.

This medieval castle turned 5-star hotel, proudly sits on 350 beautiful acres on the shores of Lough Corrib, and is just over 2 hours from Dublin, on the Mayo Galway border.  With a history dating back to 1228, when it was founded by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family, it is a castle in the truest sense of the word, even with its own soaring turrets and resident ghost.
 
Throughout history, the castle passed through numerous illustrious hands, each contributing to its elaboration and character. In 1589, The Lord President of Connaught called it home, adding a fortified enclave, and in 1715 the Oranmore and Browne family took ownership adorning the property with a French-style Chateau.  Sir Benjamin lee Guinness (of the famed beverage) purchased the estate in 1852 adding 26,000 acres of new roads, thousands of trees and two Victorian style extensions. He bequeathed the estate to his son, Lord Ardilaun, 16 years later who was an avid gardener, and soon the property was soon surrounded by massive woodlands and landscaping. 

In 1939, the public gained access to the castle when it was purchased by Noel Huggard, an experienced hotelier from Kerry, who brought the hotel notoriety as one of the most desired hotels in Europe.  At this time the hotel was a playground for royalty, dignitaries, actors, British officers, French and other European elite who would come to enjoy its country pursuits – to fish, shoot and relax in the lush surrounds.

Nineteen fifty sees the arrival of film director John Ford to the west of Ireland, scouting a location for his movie, The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne, and Ireland’s own Maureen O’Hara.  Ashford Castle won his vote, and the grounds became the backdrop for much of the movie.  The Quiet Man plays daily and on request in the hotel’s own cinema.
 
Yet another ownership change brought a picturesque 9-hole golf course when, in 1970, avid Irish-US golfer John A. Mulcahy became the new owner.  In 2013, Ashford Castle came under the caring hands of Bea and Stanley Tollman of the Red Carnation Hotel group in 2013, who undertook a massive refurbishment and enhancement to restore the fabric of the buildings and bring the castle back to its historical grandeur. 

Included in the renovation was the cinema, an archery range, wine cave, equestrian centre, fishing, falconry and tree climbing facilities – just to name a few of the activities guests can now enjoy in their castle escape. 

Among the guests to grace the corridors of Ashford Castle over the years are George V, Queen Mary, George Harrison, John Lennon, Oscar Wilde, John Wayne, Princess Grace and Brad Pitt, to name a few.  And awards abound – 2015 Virtuoso Hotel of the Year (the first Irish hotel to be shortlisted in this acclaimed industry voted award), Number 3 Best Hotel in the World by Travel + Leisure in 2015, and Number 4 in the Top Resorts in Europe by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2015.

 


Ashford Castle is somewhere you will experience that warm Irish hospitality, polished service and 5-star luxury, amidst exquisite décor, plush fabrics and antiques, individual touches and unique artwork.  You’ll be surrounded by some of Ireland’s most beautiful woodland and landscaped gardens, where you can roam at your own pace, or partake of some of the vast range of activities offered, from a boat ride on the lough, falconry, or more strenuous pursuits such as cycling and kayaking.  The property boasts what some would say is the best trout fishing in Europe, whilst the nearby Cong River is frequently hailed as having the best salmon fishing in Ireland.




And for food and wine experiences, you have every choice at your fingertips.  Try an ornate high tea in the Connaught Room, or a pre-dinner beverage in the Wine Cave, housed in the original coal bunker and underground walkway. Here, you can peruse the hotel’s extensive collection of vintage wines while absorbing the atmosphere of another time.  Dine like a royal in the lusciously formal George V Dining Room where Chef Philippe Farnieau crafts what he describes as “Irish produce with French heart”, or partake of traditional rustic Irish fare at Cullen’s at the Dungeon.



George V Dining Room




To bring you more of the castle’s essence, I interviewed three of the hotel staff, asking their picks for a day at Ashford Castle....



Niall Rochford
General Manager
 
Sally with Niall Rochford
Niall was just 16 when he entered the hospitality industry, working as a “junior bar guy” at a rural hotel. It wasn’t long before he realized this industry was his calling, warming to the caring nature required to be successful. After graduating in Hotel Management in Dublin, Niall worked at every given opportunity to gain experience, including 11 years at Ashford’s sister castle, Dromoland. His passion is customer and team care, and describes his 14 years with Ashford as a privilege, rather than a job.  To him, Ashford is a hotel of character and characters, with an “OMG” moment around every corner.  But more so, it’s a real castle with genuine caring people.


For Niall, the falconry is a must! In fact it’s the oldest established falconry school in Ireland.  Follow this with a cruise on the lough, either the history cruise or one that docks at Inchagoill Island, where a local musician will entertain you with music, stories and song.   


Philippe Farnieau
Executive Chef



Philippe is a Chef with world class experience, from his beginnings as Trainee Chef at the famous Grand Vefour, a two Michelin star restaurant in Paris, before moving onto Le Bristol.   Having left his native country of France and the city of Paris in 1998, Phillippe came to Ireland to work in a number of the country’s finest hotels (K-Club, Dromoland Castle, Hayfield Manor and Mount Falcon) before joining the Ashford Team in April, 2015.

At Ashford, he has the pleasure of extensive gardens to grown much of his produce, supplemented by local organic suppliers, and farmers of grass fed lamb, gleamingly fresh oysters, lobster and salmon minutes out of the water.  Overseeing the property’s restaurants, he has huge diversity in offerings – traditional dishes such as Irish Stew in the dungeon, European and South African influences in the cottage (South Africa from the Red Carnation influence) and dining with finesse in George V.  Breakfasts are a highlight, buffet style, with elaborate platters of smoked fish, Irish cheese, eggs in all styles, black and white pudding, ham cooked overnight, bakery items, smoothies and juices – just for starters.


 
Robert Bowe
Restaurant and Wine Program Manager

Robert has been with Ashford for over 28 years, starting his career as a waiter, before moving up to oversee room service.  Being extremely interested in wine, Robert would come and assist the sommelier on his days off, and in I992, his dedication paid off being given charge of the hotel’s wine program.  At that time there was a wine boom happening and their cellar grew from 200 to 900 bins in just 5 years. A very exciting time for Robert indeed!  While in Robert’s hands, Ashford became the first hotel in Ireland to win Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence in 1999.  And no wonder, as he sources the best he can find from each region of the world. 

 
Guinness and cider are not overlooked, both having an extensive in house program and Robert works with local microbreweries to help create the quality of brew his clientele desires.  Irish whiskey is featured in the Billiard Room with tasting flights for guests to compare with Scotch. Being his favorite, you’ll often see Yellow Spot on that list.

Over the last 15 years, Robert has noticed a much greater interest and knowledge in wines in their guests, who take time to read the labels while browsing the extensively stocked Wine Cave. This is his favorite “room in the house” undoubtedly. The long limestone tunnel maintains the perfect temperature for storing wine, and oozes a wonderful historical ambience.



Since being under the ownership of Red Carnation, Robert has had the joy of working with their own South African boutique winery, Bouchard Finlayson, makers of a range of award winning New and Old World style wine from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (translated, Heaven-and-Earth), just half an hour south of Cape Town. 

For Robert’s day at Ashford, he’d check in early, rent a bike and ride to the local village, Cong, where they’d enjoy lunch.  Then he would return for a cruise before retreating to the calming and ultimately peaceful spa, with panoramic views from the conservatory across the lough. He’d indulge in one of their signature treatments, perhaps the four hand massage featuring two therapists, or the Indian Head Massage, I wonder. 
 
 
 
Go to http://www.ashfordcastle.com/ and discover your dream visit to Ashford Castle.







Debbie Knight





The oldest established Falconry School in Ireland offers you the chance to fly a Harris hawk around the spectacular grounds of Ashford Castle in a one hour private Hawk Walk. Within minutes of arriving, you will have a hawk on your glove and be setting off to fly your hawk or hawks in the gardens and woodlands surrounding Ashford Castle.

You will never forget the moment when your hawk first swoops down from a tree and lands on your gloved fist – Flying a hawk is an experience of a lifetime.


Stephen tries his hand at some falconry.......




Sunday, November 22, 2015

12/07/2015 - A Tribute to the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center

Symphony Napa Valley Presents: A Grand Overture - 10th Anniversary Gala



On Saturday, November 21st, Symphony Napa Valley presented “A Grand Overture - 10th Anniversary Gala” led by Maestro Michael Guttman, at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater. The Gala 10th Anniversary Celebration was a tribute to the dedication of the Friends of the Lincoln Theater. This small group of people raised the money to remodel the Lincoln Theater at the Veteran’s Home and create a world class performing arts center.

The Gala Event is destined to be the most magical night of the season as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Lincoln Theater’s grand opening. The Symphony Gala will feature soprano, Marnie Breckenridge and tenor Christopher Bengochea. A Grand Overture pays tribute to all of those who built the Lincoln Theater with multiple overtures by Mozart, Verdi, and Bernstein as well as some of Classical Music’s most cherished pieces, such as Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, ‘Brindisi’ from La Traviata, ‘Tonight’ from West Side Story, and more.

In 2005, the Napa Valley community came together to raise funds for a much needed restoration of the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. Several supporters of the theater and the symphony worked tirelessly to raise the $23 million needed to perform structural repairs and modernize the building, which was built in 1957 on the grounds of the Yountville Veterans Home. The Lincoln Theater is now a beautiful, modern building and one of the most sophisticated facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

Maestro Guttman



Michael Guttman is an eminent violin soloist, conductor and music director of festivals around the world. At age ten, he became the youngest student ever to be admitted into the Brussels Royal Conservatory of Music. Encouraged by his late mentor Isaac Stern, Guttman studied at the Juilliard School in New York with Dorothy Delay, the Juilliard Quartet and Felix Galimir. Guttman has earned critical acclaim from the New York Times for his “incredible wealth of tone colors and his sound of melting beauty“, and was described by the Jerusalem Post as the “Chagall of violinists“. He has performed in halls such as London’s Barbican Centre, New York’s Avery Fisher Hall, Paris’s Salle Pleyel, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and Tokyo’s Bunko Kaikan. He collaborated with the late conductor and composer Lukas Foss at the Music Festival of the Hamptons, a relationship which initiated his conducting career.

Much in demand as a chamber musician, he is regularly invited to perform at festivals by Martha Argerich (Lugano), Yuri Bashmet (Elba), Natalya Gutman (Kreuth), Boris Berezovski (Moscow) or Salvatore Accardo (Vicenza), among others. In the coming season, Guttman is scheduled to premiere the concerto for violin and cello by Philip Glass in the US, Asia and Europe. He will tour the UK with the Brussels Chamber Orchestra and appear with the Dallas Symphony, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Hong Kong Philarmonic, the Royal Flanders Philharmonic and will premiere a concerto by Steven Stucky in 2013.

Mr. Guttman is the principal guest conductor of the Brussels Chamber Orchestra, the leader of the acclaimed Arriaga Quartet and of the Michael Guttman Tango Quartet, as well as the founder and artistic director of Pietrasanta in Concerto, the highly praised music festival in Tuscany. The Paris Camerata, an ensemble created by Guttman, will make its Italian debut at both festivals this summer. As a conductor, he has collaborated with such artists as Martha Argerich, Peter Serkin, James Galway and Richard Stolztman. Following his recording of three concertos by Israeli composers with the London Philarmonic and the late David Shallon, Mr. Guttman performed with most Israeli orchestras and will play the concerto by Noam Sheriff with the Israel Philarmonic. Like his mentor Isaac Stern, Guttman is dedicated to helping young artists, notably at the Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth in Brussels.

 

 

Gina Gallo and Jean-Charles Boisset

She’s a talented winemaker and the face of an American wine dynasty; he’s the scion of a French wine empire.

Gold Level ticket holders will continue the celebration post show at an exciting Gala Dinner hosted by Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo in the Famed Crystal Cellar at Raymond Vineyards.

The Crystal Cellar is inspired by the traditional candle-lit cellars of France, the inimitable Crystal Cellar boasts stainless steel walls, a mirrored tasting bar and a collection of historical cyrstal decanters from Baccarat. 

 


Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary performing arts center built on strong community artistic and philanthropic relationships, impactful arts education programs, and first-class local, national and international entertainment (including a new, scalable symphonic orchestra, Symphony Napa Valley).  Celebrating its first year anniversary, the Performing Arts Center hasemerged as a leading provider of arts education and world-class entertainment in the Napa Valley.

Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater operates under the aegis of Lincoln Theater Foundation, a nonprofit public benefit 501(c)(3) corporation, dedicated to enriching lives by preserving, enhancing and providing access to the performing arts and arts education, to nurturing and developing the artists and audiences of tomorrow by building a sustainable, relevant professional performing arts center where education and community are as important as entertainment, and to being a valued asset to the California Veterans Home and to the Napa Valley community at large.

 
KEY INITIATIVES

In addition to bringing world-class entertainment to the Napa Valley, the cornerstones to sustaining a multi-disciplinary performing arts center are innovative and meaningful education programs, original programming and community collaboration and outreach.  In keeping with our promise to the community, we offer a diversified palate of programs and events that educate, entertain, enhance and touch all of our lives.  

EDUCATION

ORCHESTRA INSTITUTE NAPA VALLEY innovative and unique performance and professional development programs.

§  The Fellowship Program is a year-round performance, teaching, mentoring, professional-development and community outreach program for exceptional post-graduate musicians for the mutual benefit of the Fellows and the community.

NAPA WRITES – highly acclaimed, innovative in-school, afterschool and summer workshops and seminars aimed at giving young people creative writing options and guidance through the exploration of the written word with the goal of having each child see his or her work come to fruition.

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY WORKSHOPS  – year-round workshops and classes, for students in all levels of artistic development from beginner to professional, in dance, theater, voice and other art disciplines taught by local, national and international experts in their fields.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ARTS INTEGRATION – this soon to be announced project will build a preschool arts integration program that brings together music, movement and storytelling for children 0-5 years old in the Napa Valley.  Our Orchestra Institute Fellows, authors and dancers will work with preschool teachers to create site-specific education programs based on the latest cognitive science.
 
 



SIGNATURE PROGRAMS & ANNUAL EVENTS

SYMPHONY NAPA VALLEY  – a full symphonic orchestra and a scalable in-house accompaniment orchestra made up of the best professional musicians in the North Bay area, Orchestra Institute Fellows as well as guest artists and conductors from all over the world. The Symphony offers a breadth and depth of programming that while faithful to tradition will also explore new ground and new ways to enhance the symphonic music experience and make classical music relevant and approachable for today’s audiences.

LIVE IN THE LOBBY – the Lincoln Theater Lobby comes alive each Friday night in the summer with exciting, eclectic performances from every genre imaginable from jazz, pop and classical music to blues and bluegrass.  No cover; no admission charge.

CabFest Napa Valley – CabFest Napa Valley is a unique three day celebration exclusively dedicated to world class Cabernet Sauvignon. Cab is a rich, complex varietal that has been instrumental in the success of the Napa Valley wine industry. March 4-6, 2016 the Lincoln Theater will be transformed into the prime destination for discerning wine enthusiasts. The festival opens on Friday night with a mainstage Mat Kearney concert, followed by a VIP Cigars & Guitars afterparty. Saturday & Sunday pair extensive tastings of first class Cabernet with fine food and engaging symposiums.

Word4Word – May 9 & 10, 2014 an annual two-day celebration of language in all its forms, bringing together the best of local theater, film, multimedia and literary arenas to showcase the work of students and emerging artists and writers. Multi-award-winning John Lithgow will headline the inaugural festival performing his one-man tour-de-force “Stories By Heart,” in which he plays all of the captivating characters, featuring works by PG Wodehouse and Ring Lardner.  Along with the student works, the event will also include lectures, book signings, and author and celebrity performances.
OUTREACH

All of our initiatives are strengthened by our Affiliate Alliance, a dynamic network of local arts and education groups working with us to propel the creative and cultural opportunities and access in the Napa Valley to new heights. Tailored to the individual needs of each partnering organization, this unique collaboration harnesses the drive and artistry of Affiliates to do what they do best: create and perform works that enrich us all.  Affiliates are long-term collaborations unique to each Affiliate that go beyond their utilization of our venue.  Co-Presenters (Co-Presenting Affiliates) are philanthropic groups that join forces with us on specific events to raise funds and awareness for their cause as well as ours.  Goodwill Affiliates are schools, churches and small performing arts groups who would otherwise be unable to utilize a professional venue of our size.

 

Saturday, November 21, 2015

11/30/2015 - A Matter of Taste, San Francisco (2)



Slow Living Radio comes to you from Matter of Taste, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate premier wine event in San Francisco.  We enjoy a conversation with Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, Editor in Chief, followed by Milan Brajkovich or New Zealand's Kumeu River, and Gavin Speight of Old Bridge Cellars to talk about Greywacke wines.




Matter of Taste is a no-holds-barred walkabout wine tasting experience built around sought-after, iconic wines and the most talented winemakers in the world.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (eRobertParker.com), brought its inaugural Matter of Taste tour to San Francisco on Saturday, November 14th at the elegant Palace Hotel, as part of a global series of exclusive events for eRobertParker.com members and guests.

A no-holds-barred wine tasting experience, Matter of Taste San Francisco is built around 150 of the most iconic Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays of California, Oregon and New Zealand, as well as cult-classic Rhone blends from California’s original Rhone Ranger pioneers. Each featured wine is rated 90+ points by The Wine Advocate and handpicked by Editor in Chief, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, and Reviewer Jeb Dunnuck.


Wine Advocate Editor in Chief
Assigned Regions: Australia and New Zealand

Born and raised in rural Maine, USA, Lisa graduated from Colby College with a degree in English Literature and Performing Arts. Her wine career began by accident when, living as a struggling playwright in London after college, she stumbled into a job as the manager of a wine bar. She progressed through wine sales and marketing roles in the UK wine trade throughout the ‘90s and early noughties before moving to Tokyo in 2002 where she worked as a wine buyer for one of Japan's top fine wine importers and a wine educator at Tokyo's Academie du Vin. In 2008 Lisa began writing a column for Robert Parker's website, eRobertParker.com, and later that year she achieved her Master of Wine qualification and the Madame Bollinger Medal for excellence in wine tasting. Now living in Singapore, she is the Editor in Chief for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and eRobertParker.com and remains the publication's critic for the wines of Australia and New Zealand. Published by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate in 2015, Lisa's first book, Taste Like a Wine Critic: A Guide to Understanding Wine Quality, offers a comprehensive, straight-talking guide to answering the most important question that can be asked about wine: Is it good?




The Brajkovich family and Kumeu River Wines is a story that parallels the New Zealand wine industry.
From the pioneering days to the establishment of the New Zealand wine industry to today, the Brajkovich family have been internationally recognised as producing world class wine. The Brajkovich family continue to harvest their grapes at Kumeu and refine their wine making skills.
The Brajkovichs are nationally recognised as a founding family of the New Zealand wine industry, and the current generation are internationally recognised as producing world class Chardonnay.

Kumeu River has some of the most qualified, experienced, and dedicated staff as a business in this industry.


Milan Brajkovich

Vineyard Director

  

With a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, vineyard director Milan Brajkovich provides the technology at Kumeu River Winery whilst at the same time working with the land in the traditional way; such as hand harvesting, training the vines to grow on lyre trellises (U-shaped frames that expose the grapes to more sunlight), and canopy netting.
As the vineyard’s director, Milan manages a total of 40 hectares, with 10 hectares belonging to the various regional growers that supply Kumeu River.
We have an expert team of hand-pickers who harvest and sort the fruit, so that it arrives at the presses in pristine condition. The grapes are gently whole-bunch pressed to extract the best possible juice, which then goes in French oak barrels for fermentation. We do not add any yeast. We simply rely on the wild yeast strains that are naturally found on the grape berries that come in from the vineyard, which gives us a unique flavour and texture that is truly reflective of each vineyard’s individual terroir.
Variations in taste result from very minor variations in soil.
“We have two vineyards that are practically next door to each other, growing the same grapes in the same conditions, yet their minor soil differences are very obvious in the final product.”
For Milan, creating better wine involves a careful series of minor adjustments and planning as well as respecting that the weather gods will always play a role in the year’s vintage.



Gavin Speight of Old Bridge Cellars,
Importers of Greywacke

  
Greywacke is the Marlborough label of Kevin Judd, and the fulfilment of a long held dream. The name Greywacke was adopted by Kevin and his wife Kimberley for their first Marlborough vineyard located in Rapaura, named in recognition of the high prevalence of rounded greywacke river stones in the soils of the vineyard. Kevin registered the name back in 1993 with the vague notion that he might one day want to use it on a wine label of his own.

This quality focused winemaking venture sources fruit from mature vineyards within the central Wairau Plains and the Southern Valleys. These prime viticultural sites are cultivated using yield restricting vineyard management techniques and intense canopy management regimes. A number of the vineyards are owned by the Sutherland family, while complementary grape parcels are acquired from additional select sites, all located within these sub-regions.  The wines are made by Kevin at Dog Point Winery in the lower Brancott Valley, a facility extended to him by long-standing friends and industry colleagues, Ivan Sutherland and James Healy.

The Greywacke portfolio is primarily based on two varieties, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, the sauvignon blanc being produced in two distinctly different styles. In addition to this core range

of three wines, there are also limited edition releases of chardonnay, and three aromatic varieties – pinot gris, riesling and gewurztraminer. Kevin’s signature vineyard photographs provide the unmistakable identity of the Greywacke range.