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
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
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
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.