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 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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
