THE TIMES, TIM ATKIN MW, 18th March 2010

In January we were honoured to have Tim Atkin MW visit us at Man O' War with Kieron Galliard from SH Jones. They were making their way around New Zealand wine regions before heading to the Merlot Cabernet & Syrah Symposium's in Hawke's Bay and Pinot Noir 2010 conference in Wellington.

Tim had discovered our Syrahs at the NZ New Release tasting in London held by New Zealand Winegrowers, and selected our Dreadnought Syrah 2008 as one of two New Zealand wines to present in an International line up at the Syrah Symposium, with Craggy Range Le Sol 2007.

We had an amazing tour around the property and a great time together at the conferences. Later this year we will catch up with them both in London, when we are visiting in May / June.

Below is a photo from the visit standing in Madmans vineyard, the home of our Syrah, which Tim has recently reviewed in The Times, 18th March 2010.

2008 Man O’ War Syrah Waiheke Island (£16.99, 14 per cent, Caviste, 01256 770397) I can’t remember the last time I was as impressed by a syrah from outside the Rhône Valley. This comes from Waiheke Island and shows savoury, pepper spice notes, oodles of blackberry fruit and smooth tannins.

http://www.times.com/

http://www.timatkin.com/

Auckland Trade take over Man O’ War Bay

On Monday 22nd Feb, 85 members from Auckland’s trade, along with our friends at Stolen Girlfriends Club, and winners from a George FM promo, boated, ferried & bussed to Man O’ War Bay for the annual Man O’ War Beach Party. A quick glass of bubbly at Harbourside with the crew from Eurowine set the scene. We jumped on board the Fullers Ferry and headed to Waiheke Island. There was a little dusty ride to Man O’ War were we caught up with Matt at the Anchorage with a glass of Man O’ War Sauvignon Blanc 2009.

Matt & Sara took the team on a short walk through the Puriri Vineyards to look out over to Ponui Island. Matt gave the team a great overview of what we get up to out at the Eastern End of Waiheke Island and at Ponui Island. Strolling back with a glass from Ponui Island of Man O’ War Pinot Gris 2009, school work was done and the party started.

As you can see from the photos, many had a swim, a fierce game of cricket & soccer was played on the lawn, 10 lucky people enjoyed seeing Man O' War from the air, Jacki and her crew provided great food all afternoon and of course Man O’ War wines were devoured by all.

The rest of the Man O’ War crew joined in for the afternoon activities and thoroughly loved catching up with our friends form the trade.
Can’t wait for 2011!

Support from Waiheke Island

Waiheke Wine Centre, one of Man O’ War’s key allies on the Island supports us yet again with one of their fabulous promotions!

Visitors to Man O' War

Man O’ War has had a smorgasbord of International visitors over the past six months, wine personalities from the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and the US.
In November Pierre Antoine Dourneau managing director of Soho House, New York City visited the property to get a first hand view of Man O’ War and the wines we produce here, a new addition to the Soho House wine list.


In January Harry Hertscheg from Vancouver, Canada visited Man O’ War. Harry has been at the helm of Canada's premium wine show, The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival (VPH) for nine years. In addition to this role he also writes about wine and contributes to a number of magazines including Northwest Palate and Tidings, one of Canada's top wine and food magazines.


Harry was blown away by the property and was a big fan of our Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and both our MOW Chardonnay and Valhalla.
I am very much looking forward to joining Harry in Vancouver for the Vancouver Playhouse Event, of which Man O’ War wines will be featured.


Just last week we hosted Fernando Beteta and his lovely wife Ann, from Chicago USA.
Fernando is currently the Sommelier of award-winning NoMI restaurant of Park Hyatt Chicago. A Master Sommelier and often referred to as a ‘whiz kid’ in regards to wine, Fernando was awarded the title of Best Young Sommelier Midwest in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and took home the National Finals Silver Medal in 2007. In 2006 he received “Rising Star Sommelier” for Chicago from Starchefs.com and was featured in Wine & Spirits magazine’s list of “America’s Best New Sommeliers” following a poll of hundreds of restaurant wine professionals across the US. Fernando is also a contributor to several food and wine magazines.
Fernando’s wine picks for the day were the MOW Syrah and the Dreadnought Syrah, the MOW Merlot Cabernet and the Pinot Gris.


See you soon.

4 1/2 STARS Michael Cooper Listener Magazine 2.01.10

MAN O' WAR ROSE 2009
Pale red, merlot-based wine, mouthfilling, with deep berry/spice flavours, a vaugue hint of herbs and gentle acidity. Weighty, rich and rounded, this wine is like French rose - a sort of substitute red.

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.