Te Kauwhata has been a traditional winemaking region of New Zealand, since the New Zealand Viticultural Research Station was established there in 1897. The region boasts a unique micro-climate ideally suited to quality viticulture. On the shores of Lake Waikare, the third largest lake in New Zealand, Te Kauwhata enjoys typically dry, warm conditions through March and April, the key ripening months for grapes. With cool nights and warm sunny days, the vines ripen their crop steadily and without pressure from adverse weather patterns.

Merlot Malbec from Quarry road

The main Quarry Road vineyard was first planted in 1963 by an ex-director of the research station. As the name Quarry Road implies, the vineyard is situated in rocky soils which maximise the terroir of the region. Since its original planting, the vineyard has changed hands and the winery is now being developed by the current owners, Toby Cooper and Jenny Gander. Toby and Jenny have kept production levels limited to only a few thousand cases pa in order to retain the hands-on relationship they have with both the vines themselves and the wines they produce.

The focus of the winemaking style is to produce wines that truly reflect the grapes from which they were made, with minimal adulteration through winemaking practices. A secondary objective is to produce wines that are tailored to the palates of the customers rather than the industry. The popularity of the wines is testament to the efficacy of this ideal, whilst the more than 20 awards from major wine competitions in the last few years shows that the judges know a good thing when they taste it too!

All the wines made are from grapes grown in and around Te Kauwhata, 95% being under the direct control of Jenny, the viticulturalist. This control allows for consistency of quality, the primary requirement of any boutique winery.

Tasting notes: This Merlot Malbec blend is a marriage of juicy damsons and layered melted chocolate. Dark fruits carry onto an oaky richness and spiciness on the palate.

 Other Quarry Road wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir -  of these, some are relatively new plantings which are just reaching full production.

The quality can be testified by numerous medals and therefore is a wine which cannot be missed. This Merlot Malbec  can be purchased exclusively from Vin Vino Direct click here.

Pinot Gris, Te Kauwhata, Quarry Road Estate to view click here
Riesling, Te Kauwhata, Quarry Road Estate to view click here
Cabernet Merlot, Te Kauwhata – Quarry Road Estate to view click here
Sauvignon Blanc – Te Kauwhata – Quarry Hill to view click here
Pinot Noir -Te Kauwhata – Quarry Road Estate to view click here
Merlot Rosé, Te Kauwhata, Quarry Road Estate to view click here
Chardonnay – Te Kauwhata – Quarry Hill to view click here

Mussels, oysters, scallops, prawns, potted shrimps, langoustines, crab and lobster (crikey, I’m salivating just writing this!!) are all an excellent excuse to crack open a variety of palate-pleasing whites. Bone-dry Muscadet sur Lie is a perfect appetite-teaser for washing down shellfish and seafood platters.

 For a more sophisticated marriage, Chablis, Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre are great, as is the floral and peach-scented Spanish Albariño.

New World Sauvignons can also work a treat, especially with spicier Asian-influenced dishes. Crab salads and crab cakes feature salty-sweet flesh which works well with Riesling and Viognier.

Rich lobster dishes or humble potted shrimps cry out for full-bodied white Burgundies like Mersault – or high quality New World Chardonnay alternatives from Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. Otherwise, almost all shellfish and crustacea are sublime with Champagne…and do we have some cracking Champagnes – we have a wide range of prestigious marques available…from the rare 1989 Krug Clos du Mesnil, the opulent 2000 Vintage Dom Perignon, through to the little known award-winning Ayala Majeur Brut Rosé – an expansive collection to indulge yourself with.

Black Shiraz

Grower Profile
Australia has certainly made Syrah its own, even bestowing it with a new name: Shiraz. In the warm, dry climate of Australia this noble grape, responsible for some of the grandest wines of France, produces an intense, unique expression that is distinctly Australian. The ripe grapes take on classic notes of black pepper and leather that add depth and complexity to the black cherry and plum fruits on the palate. Australian Shiraz has typically been aged in American Oak barrels which impart the wine with a distinct note of vanilla that can add to the impression of ripeness many of these wines have, but the time in barrel also allows the wines a chance to settle and reveal their rich, voluptuously styled mouthfeel.

This 2008 Australian Black Shiraz is from Berton Vineyards, located in High Eden, a sub-region of Eden Valley, South Australia. The altitude and cool climate provides ideal conditions for the production of high quality fruit. Surrounded by native yacca grass and watched over by the superb blue wren, they grow some of the best Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in the hills.

Tasting Notes: A deep black colour with a huge bouquet of ripe plums, blackberries and a vanilla pepper underlay. The palate is full of flavour - blueberries, blackberries, black figs’ licquorice and spice A smooth 14.5% by vol.

One very important thing to keep in mind when sampling any syrah-based wine is that the wine requires more “breathing” time than most other varietals for the aromas to open up and the palate to soften. Decanting is highly recommended, since very little is accomplished simply by opening the bottle and letting it sit on the table a while before serving. In lieu of decanting, pour a glassful and allow the glass to sit a bit before sipping.

You can buy this fantastic Australian Pepper Shiraz online for only £9.60 – simply click here to order online.

…it’s true – only a few months ago, the first ‘upset’ of the season occurred in the UK wine market …sales of South African wine actually over-took sales of French wine for the first time ever!!

UK wine drinkers have discovered that South African wines offer something truly unique: a style that sits at a delicious halfway house between the out-and-out fruitiness of the New World and the restrained elegance of the Old World.

To celebrate the fact, we’re offering 10% off our superb ‘Kirabo‘ Private Cellar range of wines, from the Breedekloof Valley in South Africa - we have a thirst-quenching Chenin Blanc, a light pink Pinotage Rosé and a crisp  Chardonnay Reserve at all below £7.30 …the range then opens into the exclusive Platinum Collection ..click here for more details…and use the coupon code ‘WorldCup‘ to claim the 10% discount when ordering.

Also below, you’ll find a selection of some of our newest wines that you may not have seen yet ….a great semi-sparkling ’06 Rosato, a light, crisp ’07 Pinot Grigio and a ‘Pink Blush’ Pinot Grigio ….all perfect for some warm summer evenings!

2006 Bacichetto Rosato, Semi-Sparkling2007 Pinot Grigio, Villa Giulia, Rubini

Country: Italy
Region: Veneto                     �
Grape variety: Blend
Price: £8.99

Tasting Notes - Semi-sparkling and glistering pink in colour. Tastes of freshly picked pomegranate with a strawberry silkiness flowing onto the palate.  Click HERE to buy

Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Grape variety: Pinot Grigio
Price: £8.15 (rrp £8.50)

Tasting Notes – A bright silver colour, crisp, with plenty of fruit and hints of pineapple and lime. A delicate finesse to the palate.    Click HERE to buy.

2007 Pinot Grigio ‘Pink Blush’, Villa Rubini

Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Grape variety: Pinot Grigio
Price: £8.20 (rrp £8.50)

Tasting Notes – In a classy frosted bottle, this wine is very light pink, with an intense bouquet of pink cherries and a strawberry taste on the palate. Medium body, floral with a pleasant finish.   Click HERE to buy.