The Best Yet

Given it's been nearly a month since anyone updated our blog ( a sure sign that it's been a busy time for us) I thought I would. I guess out of all of us I have no excuse not to, now that harvest is a distant memory and Bronwyn and Sara are doing their thing on each side of the Atlantic. Duncan can be excused as he's pressing off the last of the 2010 harvest today so we'll have a hard job getting a) the smile off his face b) his bum on his office chair and c) later the Heiny out of his hand.

If the truth be known, as stunningly gorgeous as Bronwyn is, I was kind of getting over the photo of her from her previous blog so wanted to push it down the page a bit and replace it with....I don't know....maybe some awesome grapes!That's better.

Since harvest I have managed to reintroduce myself back to my family, even took them on a wee holiday around the North Island last week. Gracie now holds the new Allen family record of ice cream consumption in a given week and Brooklyn should have won an Oscar for the way that she covered up for putting the hole in the hotel wall in Rotorua. I have also managed to stop talking to people in grunts and haven't spat wine out on the kitchen floor forgetting I'm not at the winery for at least two weeks now.

I suppose my role here is to comment on the 2010 harvest...not much to report really other than the fact that it was BLOODY AWESOME. Big B will accuse me of turning into a wanky winemaker here who tend to get a bit excited and speak only in adjectives but words like, ripe, concentrated, clean, tannic, rich, balanced and delicious role off the tongue with relative ease. It truly was a spectacular vintage, the best I have ever been involved with.

But shit it was dry! Not that I would ever dream of whinging about dry weather over harvest but 6 months, yes 6 months, without any significant precipitation had all the cockies in the area looking skyward and scratching the tops of their heads through their oilskin hats the way that only farmers can. Check this photo of Ponui Island out and you'll see what I mean.

Not that it's never been dry here before, in fact more often than not it is over summer but this one will go down in the history books. If you think that the northern hemisphere has problems at the moment with ash clouds, give some thought to the pilots flying into Auckland International who were redirected out of our dust clouds made from trucks heading to the winery for two months. Twice I also had to kick rabbits off the bonnet of my ute as they were licking dew off my windsceen.

Harvest itself went really well and without any major incidents....didn't even have anyone throw any toys out of the cot at any stage which was a first. Everyone really pulled it together and worked brilliantly as a team alongside our contractors who worked equally as well.

In Man O' War tradition the harvest party took place this year at Casita Miro and in keeping with the theme of the venue the dress this year was Spanish.....there was some Zorro action a few flamenco dancers, a Spanish soccer striker, Seve Bellesteros and Freddy Mercury amongst others (what the hell Freddy's got to do with Spain I don't know but he got my vote for best dressed). A great night had.

So now that the parties over, and as I look out the window so is the drought, must be sure sign it's time to get the secateurs out for the pruning season. We need to get started soon as the 2011 vintage is due to hit the shed in 38 weeks.

Salud,

Matt.

Interview with Bronwyn Skuse

Sales & Events Manager Man O’ War Vineyards Waiheke Island in New Zealand

What is your favorite savoury food paired with your Dreadnought Syrah’08 wine? New Zealand Beef Stew

What is your favorite savoury food paired with your Man O’ War Sauvignon Blanc wine ? The local Waiheke Island oysters www.tematukubayoysters.co.nz which are the best Oysters ever.

What is your favorite dessert paired with your Ponui Island Pinot Gris 2009 wine? A classic New Zealand Pavlova or my mum’s apply pie with a glass of Man O’ War Valhalla Chardonnay.

Which are your favorite wine festivals in the world? And why? I haven’t been to many and after Vancouver I may change my mind but I love The Kapalua Food and Wine Festival (Maui, Hawaii) – winemakers come from all around the world, local restaurants get involved and there are fabulous seminars with Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers. Fred Dame hosts the festival held at the Ritz Carlton, it’s a magical location, a little like Vancouver!

How long have you been involved in the wine industry? I sort of fell into the wine industry by accident 4 years ago and I’m stuck! I have always been passionate about wine.

What do you most love about the wine industry? What’s not to love…Fabulous food, fabulous wine and fabulous people with incredible stories to tell. It’s the best industry in the world.

How would you describe the New Zealand wine industry? Watch this space…ever evolving, dynamic and exciting.

There are many exciting emerging wine regions, there are many great stories and the industry is heading down the clean and green and sustainable road. Try Sauvignon Blanc from other regions in New Zealand, try a Waiheke Island or Hawkes Bay Bordeaux Blend or Syrah. New Zealand Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris.. we are doing all of these varieties very well!

Where do like to go for wine travel? Why? I love France, I love the French people, the language, the food and of course the wine – French people have such passion. I love to discover new wine regions, last year I went to the Walla Walla wine festival in Washington and met the most fabulous people, and had many wonderful wines! Great restaurants in Walla Walla too!

What is your philosophy on food and wine? Good wine, good food and good people, one is not quite the same without the other.

Any comments you would like to add/make in relation to the state of the wine industry in New Zealand or globally? Yes, be adventurous – New Zealand makes fabulous Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noirs, Riesling and is making a huge splash at the moment with Bordeaux Blends and Syrah.

How did you get involved in the Wine Industry? Living in Sydney, Australia I had a fashion label, decided to study wine, did my sommelier certificate, WSET and was always a foodie eating out often. I ended up launching a boutique winery in Sydney, ended up doing a bit of work for a fine wine distributor in Sydney and things spiraled from there. I joined Man O’ War as the Sales/Export Manager and sold my fashion label last year.

I love working for an incredible emerging wine region like Waiheke Island, I love watching people taste our wines and the look of surprise on their face when they realize we make world class wines there!

By: Richard Wolak

http://tasteandsipmagazine.com/2010/04/24/interview-with-bronwyn-skuse/

Man O' War launches in Asia & attends Ultimate Parker in Asia event

Man O’ War has been invited to exhibit at the exclusive Ultimate Parker in Asia – an invitation-only event for the world’s best wineries in Singapore, from May 1 to 3.

It’s particularly prestigious because of the star guest, the world’s most influential wine critic, Robert Parker Jr – who is also bringing key critics from The Wine Advocate, which awarded Man O’ War wines very high scores late last year.

Just 100 wineries from around the world have been hand picked to attend the Ultimate Parker in Asia, which involves two days of wine tasting, master classes and a charity dinner hosted by Parker.

“It goes to show that Man O’ War is making a name for itself as a producer of serious fine wine,” says Man O’ War sales and marketing manager Sara Fogarty.

As well as industry tastings, the event is expected to attract between 1500 and 2000 wine enthusiasts from around Asia – an invaluable opportunity to reach a discerning and growing wine market.

Man O’ War will be showcasing its Ironclad Bordeaux Blend 2008, Dreadnought Syrah 2008 and Man O’ War Chardonnay 2008, all of which received very good scores in The Wine Advocate.

This comes just weeks after Man O’ War’s launch in Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia with Rubicon Reserve Wines.

“Asia is a really important market for us,” says Sara Fogarty. “Wine drinkers there are passionate about good wine. We want to show them just how good New Zealand and Waiheke wine can be.”

“Man O’ War is showing that New Zealand is not just a one trick Pinot Noir pony,” says David Coleman of Rubicon Reserve Wines. “The production of super premium Bordeaux blends and world class Syrah makes Man O’ War the perfect bookend for Rubicon Reserve Wines extensive New Zealand portfolio.”

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.