NZ. Naturally.
I recently had the pleasure to attend a NZ Wine Masterclass and Walk Around Tasting in beautiful San Francisco.
New Zealand Winegrowers brought us all together for a fun and educational day in San Francisco at Fort Mason. Winemakers and Owners traveled from the islands of New Zealand to share their wines and their stories with us. Showing their commitment to sustainability and delivering fabulous wine to consumers at the same time that they are helping the natural environment around them. In New Zealand it is the PLACE that makes their fabulous vineyards thrive.
For over 20 years now, Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) has been globally recognized as leading the world in their sustainability efforts. It was one of the first of its kind on the International scene. Currently, the programme has gained notoriety for… since 2019, showing that 98% of New Zealand’s vineyard producing area is SWNZ certified. A feat that is unmatched by any “voluntary” efforts around the world.
As someone who lives in Sonoma County Wine Country, where sustainable vineyards also play a big role, I was uber impressed at this major accomplishment. I also recently had the absolute pleasure to visit New Zealand this year for three whole weeks to get to know the people, the wines and most of all, the place.
A trip of a lifetime!
More on this is being written and you will soon see MUCH MORE content coming out on this site about my whirlwind tour of the wine growing region.
From the North to the South Islands from the Pinot regions to the Sauvignon Blanc mecca that is Marlborough…. I was able to see and experience soo much thanks to the New Zealand Winegrowers and the winemakers who all share a passion for the place and the vineyards that is unrivaled in any wine country region that I have visited before. Plus, everyone is soo nice and welcoming. The spirit of the Kiwis is one of hospitality and grace. Such a great time.
Now… back to my visit to San Francisco to taste through the wines and learn more about the sustainable approach that NZ wines are focused upon.
DID YOU KNOW?!? They are celebrating 200 years of vines and wines in New Zealand? Rev Samuel Marsden planted the first vines on the islands in September of 1819!!
Again, back to my trip… only because it was so spectacular, I visited the Marsden Estate while on the Bay of Islands and of course included a few pictures from the visit here in this article! Enjoy.
The Bay of Islands are located in Kerikeri where these pioneering vines first took root. It is also one of my favorite stops in NZ. A true gem of a spot to start the momentous journey that is now NZ Wine.
With sooo much riding on the health and stability of soils on an island location, viticulturists in New Zealand continue to lead the way in employing sustainable practices to preserve and enhance this vital substance… the land.
They also take a leading role in conservation of wildlife and the environment where they plant.
In the vineyards and the surrounding beyond. For instance, water management focuses on minimizing the amount of water used for cleaning and the management of ensuing wastewater – from treatment, through to recycling and water discharge. 98% of vineyards in NZ used monitoring techniques in the vineyard to optimize applications.
New Zealand is making big strides in the wine industry and we should all take note.
The Masterclass, led by Elaine Chukan Brown and Kim Crawford of Loveblock Vintners provided attendees with an education on the region, wineries and current initiatives that are taking place in the sustainability category.
We learned that organic grape and wine production is also a growing part of the New Zealand world of wine.
10% of NZ wineries now hold organic certification including many iconic, world renowned producers. They are also leading the way in organics in NZ Wine.
Let’s not forget those Biodynamic principles which work closely with the rhythmic influences of the sun, moon and planets to maximize the natural potency of the land. We tasted through three wines that use biodynamic farming, two of which I visited and tasted on my trip as well. It was fantastic to see and visit these people and wines yet again.
My trip to NZ was in January and February of this year. Peak time for grape growing, summertime where harvest was on the forefront of everyone’s mind. The vineyards and grapes looked awesome!
WINES WE TASTED FOR NEW ZEALAND NATURALLY
Sustainable –
- No. 1 Family Estate Cuvee Methode Traditionnelle Marlborough NV
- 2018 Loveblock Vintners Pinot Gris Marlborough
- 2018 Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Organic –
- 2017 Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
- 2019 Loveblock Vintners Orange Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
- 2017 Two Paddocks Pinot Noir Central Otago
Biodynamic –
- Quartz Reef Methode Traditionnelle Rose Central Otago NV
- 2017 Milton Vineyards & Winery Te Arai Chenin Blanc Gisborne
- 2015 Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir Central Otago
Watch the videos and scroll through the photos to learn more about the event and the journey we took through the glass. THANK YOU to NZ Winegrowers for always welcoming me with open arms and hearts to their events, wine region and people. I LOVE NEW ZEALAND WINE … and it shows when I speak about it and I hope it also shows through in my writing.
SOME THINGS I TOOK AWAY FROM THE EVENT:
NZ Organic and Biodynamic percentages lead the way in the wine industry globally.- The climate elevates aromatics for wine lovers obsessed over not only the wine but the ‘nose’.
- Marlborough translated – Hole in the Sky.
- Central Otago is the highest and driest climate in NZ leading to less bugs and other problems and more diurnal temp swings producing fabulous Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrahs.
- New Zealand, with its coastal influence in almost ALL areas leads to pristine air.
- The locations proximity to the antarctic leads to less light filtering and elevated UV at the highest levels in the world when it comes to wine regions.
- New Zealand over delivers when it comes to: Quality to Cost – WOW
- There is also a “low alcohol initiative’ in the vineyard and NZ is a good spot to try this on due to it’s cool climate that keeps sugar levels down.
Join me in raising a glass to NEW ZEALAND WINE!!
