Church Road TOM release 2019

July 12, 2019By Yvonne

In a new move, the release of arguably one of New Zealand’s most aristocratic range of wines has taken on a new timeframe.  Church Road TOM is a tribute to Tom McDonald (1907-1987), a visionary winemaker who devoted his life to producing outstanding wines at Church Road Winery (formerly known as McWilliams Wines) in Hawke’s … Read More

Bayer Northern Young Viticulturist of the Year 2019 announced

June 10, 2019By Yvonne

Bayer Northern Young Viticulturist of the Year 2019 announced Congratulations to Pietro Aloisi from Ake Ake who became the Bayer Northern Young Viticulturist of the Year 2019 on Friday 7 June. Aloisi grew up in Italy but is now a New Zealand resident arriving here over seven years ago.  He has been working in the … Read More

Historic Esk Valley Cellar Door relocates…

June 6, 2019By Yvonne

Esk Valley Cellar Door set to Relocate. The much loved Esk Valley Cellar Shop in Bay View Hawkes Bay is set to relocate to the Gimblett Gravels-based Te Awa Cellar Door in August where they’ll be offering a “new and exciting tasting experience”. The new address will be 2375 State Highway 50, Roys Hill where … Read More

Twelve Museum 50yr old South Australian Wines Up for Tasting

April 9, 2019By Yvonne

TIME TRAVEL – FIFTY-YEAR-OLD AUSTRALIAN REDS Time:  Thursday April 18, 2019, 6.00 pm start Venue: Upstairs Tasting  Room, Regional Wines & Spirits, Wellington with Geoff Kelly Cost:  $55 per person Booking:  https://www.regionalwines.co.nz/collections/events                      scroll down ************************ Introductory story and more detail both above, or at: http://www.geoffkellywinereviews.co.nz/index.php?ArticleID=99997 The wines in brief: 1968 Hardy’s Cabernet Sauvignon Bin C779 … Read More

Christchurch hosts Pinot Noir NZ for first time in its 20-year history

April 4, 2019By Yvonne

Christchurch hosts Pinot Noir NZ for first time in its 20-year history A 115-strong collective of New Zealand Pinot Noir producers are bringing their international celebration to Christchurch for the first time in 2021, shining the global spotlight on one of New Zealand’s most exciting wines. World famous Pinot Noir celebration hits the South Island … Read More

Australian Wine Film wins Silver Dolphin at Cannes

October 7, 2018By Yvonne

Dr. Richard Hamilton, the owner of Leconfield Wines, Australia’s oldest family-owned winemaking business, has just won a Silver Dolphin at the 2018 Cannes Media and TV Awards in Cannes for his film ‘WineLine2 – Odyssey’. The film received the Silver Dolphin award in the Documentary section of the Cannes Media and TV Awards – the … Read More

DeVine Wine in a Can…

August 28, 2018By Yvonne

I’m as open-minded as the next cynical critic about new packaging and as such I welcomed the chance for canned wine to redeem itself. DeVine Sparkling Brut NV 200ml can $5.99 ($19.99 4pk) I think it was the playdough-yellow packaging and tired, tacky, grapey motifs on the front that initially made me throw up a … Read More

Canvas Column Sat 2 July 2016

June 21, 2016By Yvonne

Julia Child once said “I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food”.  She also said “Every woman should own a blowtorch”. I miss Julia. Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Gewürztraminer 2015 $25 This organically produced wine is golden and glossy in the glass and absolutely heaves with heady spices, musky pot … Read More