Videos
Meet the Winemaker (Episode 109): Warwick Hawker, Pisa Range Estate
Debra meets Warwick Hawker of Pisa Range Estate, located in the Central Otago Hills of New Zealand’s South Island. Warwick tells Debra why both the mountain range and the winery are named after Pisa, and how the Pisa Range creates a unique micro-climate for New Zealand, with cold winters, warm summers and a dry climate perfect for the production of Pinot Noir.
They discuss how Pisa Range Estate’s “hands-off” winemaking philosophy is reaping such success and why it was “serendipitous” that they began growing the ever-difficult Pinot Noir grape in the first place. Debra also uncovers Warwick’s previous life as a New Zealand diplomat, and asks how life is both the same and different as before, as well as what the biggest challenges of this tree-change have been.
( 0 Comments ) - Leave a CommentMeet the Winemaker (Episode 108): Paul Brajkovich, Kumeu River Wines
Debra meets Paul Brajkovich of Kumeu River Wines, located in Kumeu, 26kms north-west of Auckland in New Zealand. A family owned and run winery, Paul explains to Debra how his brother Michael (chief winemaker and New Zealand’s first Master of Wine), his other brother Milan (a chemical engineer, who is Vineyard Director), his sister Marijana (Marketing Director who also looks after the finances) and himself (Director of Sales and Marketing) all answer to his mother Melba, who is the boss. Paul outlines the key export markets for Kumeu River Wines, as well as the winery’s history in Hong Kong.
Primarily a Chardonnay producer, Paul describes the key characteristics of Kumeu River Wines’ Chardonnays, and how they achieve balance, as well as giving Debra a comparison of the wines and climate in Kumeu with other more prominent wine regions in New Zealand.
( 0 Comments ) - Leave a CommentMeet the Winemaker (Episode 107): Mark & Peter Saturno, Longview Winery
Debra meets the charming Saturno brothers, Peter and Mark from Longview in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Unique producers of Shiraz and Nebbiolo in the cool-climate region, the self-described wine industry “mavericks” tell Debra how and why they are doing things differently and how it is paying off. Debra probes about family feuds and brotherly bickering, along with what the brothers like to do in their spare time.
Supreme multi-takers (they also run long lunches on Sundays on the winery’s verandah, serving their own sausages, pasta, produce and more), Peter and Mark tell Debra why they think the Aussie wine industry is “faceless”, how they are involved in the wine from production to distribution, and where Longview’s focus is right now.
( 0 Comments ) - Leave a CommentMeet the Winemaker (Episode 106): Francis Egly, Egly Ouriet Wines
Debra meets with Francis Egly of Egly-Ouriet, a boutique Champagne producer which has received very high acclaim from Robert Parker (and therefore instant recognition). Debra quizzes Francis on what the most vital job within the Champagne production process is, as well as whether the “party” image of Champagne as a drink matches the lifestyle the producers themselves lead in the region.
Francis tells Debra why he feels Champagne has reached its limits in terms of land expansion. He also explains why he would never order his own Champagne when on the wine list of a restaurant he’s dining at. Debra asks about the best food pairing for the Egly-Ouriet Champagne, as well as the best glassware to serve it in (you may be surprised!) and how long to keep a bottle of Egly-Ouriet before opening.
( 0 Comments ) - Leave a CommentMeet the Winemaker (Episode 105): Conor Martin, Clairault
Debra meets Conor Martin of Clairault in Australia’s Margaret River, one of the region’s oldest wineries, established in 1976. As a family owned and run winery, Debra gets the lowdown on exactly which of the three brothers does the “hardest” work (dirt or desk?), as well as discussing the challenges of brand building and differentiation in the Australian wine industry, for both Margaret River (which is not the typical “grand Australia” wine region) and Clairault.
Conor explains the origins of Margaret River as a wine region, as well as the similarities of the region’s terrior to Bordeaux, and what that means for the varietals which thrive there. Finally, Conor lets Debra in on his favourite place to drink wine.
( 1 Comment ) - Leave a CommentMeet the Winemaker (Episode 104): Cliff Royle, Flametree
Debra catches up with Flametree Wines’ General Manager and Chief Winemaker, Cliff Royle, who left the famed Voyager Estate after 12 years to start his own winery. He explains to Debra the differences in making wine for your own company, as well as the new challenges of managing people as well as grapes. Debra discovers the very first vintage for Flametree Wines – the 2010 – and is shocked at the vast portfolio they’ve produced for such a young winery, as well as just how long vintage takes with so many varietals in their vineyards.
To conclude, Cliff gives Debra the lowdown on starting a winery and how anyone up for the challenge should expect not to see very much of either their family or their money for quite some time.
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