The Season in Progress

2010-2011

So here we go again, into a new growing season, quite unlike the last, with its very own set of challenges. We will need to draw on all of our experience to respond to the season as it unfolds. Twenty years as 'farmers and fermenters' is the greatest asset we have.

Summer in Nelson arrived early with almost no rain and temperatures above average for the time of year. One of the driest October-Novemebr periods in memory. Flowering was early and rapid in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay particularly with excellent fruit set similar to 2004 and 2008. Both were years where significant fruit thinning was necessary to ensure full ripeness and concentrated wines and 2011 will be the same. It's time consuming and expensive work but what is the alternative?

During the latter half of December, nature balanced the score and delivered close to 200mm of rainfall. Temperatures continuued warm and vine growth accelerated. As if the remind us always to expect the unexpected, our resolve to manage risk through crop reduction and fruit exposure has only been strengthened.

Cellar Door Summer Art

Dick Frizzell,  Produce, 2009

[2000 x 1500mm, oil on canvas]
Courtesy of RH Art and the artist, www.rhgallery.co.nz

Our cellar door is open 1-5pm every day through January and weekends only until Easter.

This summer we are pleased to have a small exhibition of contemporary works by a selection of well known New Zealand painters, photographers, sculptors and ceramic artists. Included are Laurence Aberhart, Dick Frizzell, Gerda Leenards, Elizabeth Thomson, Simon Kaan, Jeff Thomson and Raewyn Atkinson

Raewyn Atkinson, Deep Time #23, 2009

[300 x 380 x 220mm, porcelain, chun glaze]
Courtesy of RH Art and the artist, www.rh-art.co.nz