Standing proudly on a large site in Martinborough’s Todds Road is a large black steel box of a building. Recently a sign revealed this as home to REID + REID Craft Distillers of New Zealand.
Ode to the drinks trolley
No man-cave or she-shed is complete without it. Along with the pretty bottles that photogenically adorn it, the drinks trolley is enjoying a stylish revival.
From water to wine
Te Muna Valley is a long way from the high seas, but international yachtsman Brad Butterworth is excited about his new role as a vineyard owner. Brad recently bought Julicher Wines in Te Muna Road, with his cousin Warren, an Auckland lawyer.
Finding a special place
Te Muna translates as ‘special or secret place’. But it’s no longer a secret that some very special wines are emerging from this valley 10 minutes outside the Martinborough Wine Village.
Should our wine district become organic?
It’s a fairly contentious topic, so not unexpectedly, when Sue McLeary asked this question of some of the region’s winemakers, there was a full range of views.
Down to earth
Winemaker Jannine Rickards was among the early Wairarapa practitioners of organic viticulture and winemaking, and she’s passionate about it.
Wine with wings
Contrary to what the name might suggest, The Flying Winemaker doesn’t own a plane, nor does he hold a pilot’s license. But there is sincerity in Eddie McDougall’s moniker, yes, he does literally jet in to make the wine.
Coming home, with love
Le Grá is Gaelic for with love, and is the new name for the old vineyard and winery, Loopline in Opaki, Masterton. It encapsulates everything about this new venture for Irishman Brian and Nicky, a local girl coming home. By Walt Dickson. Photos by Sarah Watkins.
Martinborough Wine Walks
One of the best things about Martinborough Wine Village – New Zealand’s only wine village – is that you can explore the vineyards on foot. Hosted by Martinborough Wine Merchants, Martinborough Wine Walks delivers a fun and informative behind-the-scenes, wine-tasting experience like no other, allowing you to get close to those most involved in the region’s vibrant wine scene.
Grape Expectations
It was a bold move 15 years ago to appoint Gerry Rotman as Ata Rangi’s Vineyard Manager – he had never worked in a vineyard before. But he loved growing things.
Potatoes to Pinot
Fifty years ago Paddy Borthwick’s grandfather planted potatoes on an old river flat above the Ruamahanga River near Gladstone. He would never have imagined that thirty years later his grandson Paddy would plant that same stony soil to produce the region’s flagship pinot noir grapes.