Through The Door.....Part One

Man O' War's new Cellar Door has only been open for four days and the response to both the concept and the wines has been overwhelming.

With only a week to push the button and make it happen following a nervous wait for our liquor license to arrive on time, the little cabin at Man O' War Bay was duly christened by the staff on Christmas eve ready for opening on Boxing Day. With a "mucking in" type environment the team worked late into the day putting the final touches on her before enjoying a well deserved coldie on her deck......(I am going to post some photo's as soon as I can....Duncan.....please don't be alarmed to see both of your decks from the winery in these photo's...How's Perth anyway?)

We have had a great time showing the public our wines in our own backyard and look forward to introducing more people to the range of wines in the months ahead.

I though I would share a few highlights (and lowlights) of the first days few days...

• 7 minutes to sell our first bottle....I cheated really; two boaties were lost at Stony Batter earlier in the day and needed a ride back to their boat, I told them only if they visited our Cellar Door and bought wine....we had a deal.



• Ironically one of these boaties just happened to be an old boyfriend of Rebecca's who was working the first day with me....go figure!



• Brooklyn (7) and Gracie (4 1/2) taking 45 minutes to show Rebecca (50 something) how to put the twin pack boxes together.



• Rebecca taking most of the day to show Matt how to operate the till and all of the day how to operate the eftpos.



• The lady who offered to drop flyers onto boats in the bay by rowing around and delivering them personally for her own exercise, then rowing back with her husband and buying four bottles for personal consumption (don't worry she got a special deal!) and informing us she'll do it again the next day....goddess!



• How about the kid that turned down a lollipop saying he didn't eat lollies...excuse me, I don't get that one, your an 8 year old kid aren't you? What would you prefer, a couple of brussel sprouts?. Lucky Gracie didn't hear that, she would have been permanently scared.



• Now boaties....we love you, you have been great support and we have enjoyed your stories, but standing in front of the bar, tasting 7 wines, and on the 8th saying "That was great but I've left my wallet on board" isn't going cut it for long. From now on the staff have been trained to ask to see all wallets before starting the tastings. Cheeky buggers! We now have a Jet Ski on hand to whip you back out to get it.



• Dude in the red singlet.....the cabin is small, it's summer, summer means it gets hot occasionally, just like Tuesday was, if you've been fishing all morning and wiping yourself on the ass of your cut off Levi's...at least wash your freakin hands! Poo man.



• The people who have walked to Stony Batter and back give a very real example of body sweat Sauvignon Blanc aromas! Remember...the cabin is small, it's summer, sometimes it gets a little warm in there.



• The punters that have come in at 12.30pm, bypassed everything else and gone straight for the "Dreadnought Syrah" in 25 degrees heat deserve special mention. Brave...very brave people.



• Lady in the white top...I know you had 4 tastes of our savvy by sending your friends in to get it for you. Naughty girl..hear me, naughty girl.



• Fat kid who was sent by his dad to see if we had some wire because he had locked his keys in his car......don't bring the coat hanger back like that! You can't hang anything off a straight piece if wire fella.



• Lastly...the look on the guy's face who thought he was buying a $55 T-Shirt for $35....priceless.

Thanks for your support everyone! For those who haven't been down yet we look forward to hosting you very soon.
Until then.

The team at HQ.

P.S Remember, Opening hours...every day 12-6pm until January 4th, then Friday to Sunday until Easter. OPEN TILL 8PM NEW YEARS EVE!

P.P.S Bronwyn, please stop worrying, I have it all under control....and if getting me to keep phoning you back is your way of saving your mobile bill so B doesn't get grumpy I've got news for you!

Man O' War Cellar Door opens 26th December 2009

An absolute must this summer is to pay a visit to Man O' War Bay, there you will find nestled amongst the native trees and literally a stone’s throw from the shore Man O’ War Vineyards new Cellar Door, a rustic cabin paying homage to keeping Kiwiana alive on Waiheke Island. “It’s a magical location, we just want people to come and enjoy the beauty of Man O’ War Bay and experience our award winning wines and produce”, says Man O’ War’s Bronwyn Skuse.

All of Man O’ War’s wines will be available for tasting, as well as produce from the surrounding farm, including olive oil and honey. You could also be one of the first to purchase our very limited release vintage T-Shirts, only available at the Cellar Door and for the very first time available to the public.

Because of the sheltered beauty of Man O’ War Bay, it is traditionally a popular boating destination. Now, 241 years after Captain James Cook first anchored, the new generation of sea faring men and women can try and buy Man O’ War Wines at Man O’ War Bay.

Whether by oars or wheels, Man O’ War Bay is a perfect picnic destination offering a public BBQ for use also! You can stop by, try our amazing line up of wines or settle in and enjoy this gorgeous Bay!

Between December 26 and January 4, the cellar door will be open every day between 12 and 6pm, and then between Friday and Sunday until Easter.

Man O’ War Vineyards is located on a stunning coastal site at the eastern end of Waiheke Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, the vineyards are made up of a patchwork of 90 individual parcels selected specifically for their unique terroir. Now, everyone can enjoy Man O’ War’s wines in this very special part of the world.

Ironclad named best new world red by Decanter’s Steven Spurrier

Man O’ War’s flagship wine, Ironclad 2008, has been named best new-world red by Steven Spurrier in the latest issue of Decanter magazine (January 2010).

It comes just weeks after three Man O’ War wines from the same vintage took 90-plus ratings in Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate.

“The 2008 vintage is being hailed as one of Waiheke’s best” says Duncan McTavish, Man O’ War’s winemaker. “It’s really gratifying that our flagship blend, Ironclad has been recognized by one of the world’s great wine authorities”.

Spurrier noted the Ironclad was an “arresting Bordeaux blend… Smoky from oak ageing with magnificent berry fruits and leathery undertones.”

It’s all the result of Man O’ War’s fastidious approach to winegrowing. Located on a stunning coastal site at the eastern end of Waiheke Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, the vineyards are made up of 90 individual parcels selected specifically for their unique terroir.

It’s this approach that allows each and every vine to produce the best possible fruit – and the results show through in the recognition Man O’ War is achieving for its wine.