“We basically just guide the wine from grape to bottle with as little interference as possible” says Ake Ake’s winemaker, John Clarke. Totally inexperienced when he bought the property in 2004, he went to the library and borrowed some books on how to grow grapes and make wine. Many medals later, he owns Northland’s only fully-certified organic vineyard and turns out plummy, berry-boosted, chewy merlot’s like this that’re vegan-friendly, unfiltered, un-fined, with no additives or preservatives. Lashings of spice and herb notes make this a happy place in a glass.
Sip with: Classic spaghetti and meatballs
To buy email john@akeakevineyard.co.nz
