NEWS ARCHIVE
Vintage Update
All grapes bar the Cabernet Sauvignon have been harvested. Having the on-site winery has been a huge benefit this year, allowing us to moniter the crop and also harvest at the most opportune times. This has given us very good quality across all variaties, in what has been a variable season weatherwise. Breaks in the weather have meant a fairly smooth workload for the winemakers, with long days but not too many long nights following those days.
Regional Wines And Spirits Tasting - Saturday 14 May, 11am - 4pm
For those in Wellington there will be an in-store tasting of Alpha Domus wines, hosted by Gilliaume Thomas our Senior Cellar Hand, at Regional Wines and Sprits. Wines to be tasted will be:
2007 AD The Aviator- 2008 Alpha Domus The Barnstormer Syrah
- 2007 Alpha Domus The Navigator
- 2009 Alpha Domus The Wingwalker Viognier
- 2009 Alpha Domus Barrique Fermented Chardonnay
- 2005 The Pilot Merlot
- 2009 The Pilot Leonarda Late Harvest Semillion
- + A Special Library Wine - 2004 AD Semillion
Hot Red Hawke’s Bay Wine Expo
Meet the winemakers and taste the wines at the annual wine expo from Hawke's Bay for trade, media and the public. Hot Red Hawke's bay will showcase over 100 of the best selected wines from over 20 of Hawke's Bay's wineries. You couldn't see them all in one day anywhere else.
Alpha Domus will be showing the following wines - not only Red!
2007 Alpha Domus The Navigator- 2010 Alpha Domus The Barnstormer Syrah
- 2009 Alpha Domus The Aviatrix
- 2009 Alpha Domus The Wingwalker Viognier
- 2009 Alpha Domus Barrique Fermented Chardonnay
Come and visit us we look forward to seeing you there. Tickets are limited - visit the Hawke's Bay Winemakers website for more info and to book.
On The Export Trail Again - China in our sights
Paul is heading off to China to attend the Beijing Top Wine China on May 24 - 26 and Shanghai International Wine Trade Fair 2011 on June 1 - 3 wine, as well as a vist with our distributors in Hong Kong. Our distributor, Frank Pan of Woolemi Fine Wines Far East, has arranged the biggest independant stand for the 5 wineries he represents at both shows.These are huge shows - in Shanghai more than 500 supplier stands will display in an Exhibition hall of 10,000 square metres. At Top Wine China in Beijing last year, there were 3450 high calibre buyers from 111 cities throughout China, as well as additional visitors from other Asian countries.
More Award Successes for Alpha Domus
Alpha Domus has enjoyed success at two of the recent wine awards.The Air New Zealand Wine Awards were announced at a gala dinner on 20 November. This is the premier wine competition in New Zealand, with over 1500 entries this year. Alpha Domus was awarded Silver Medals for both The Pilot Leonarda Late Harvest Semillon 2009 and The Pilot Merlot Cabernet 2007.
First Container Arriving in Europe
Alpha Domus has been busy preparing to enter the European market for some time now. Our European Sales Director, Martin Clarkson, was appointed in 2009 and has spent much of 2010 carrying out research on wines and distribution partners. We've now sent our first container and it has just arrived at our warehousing facility in Belgium. This gives us a platform to service mainland Europe with targeted orders that will arrive within days of order placement, instead of the eight weeks it takes if shipped from New Zealand. Europe is poised to be a big market for us; showing interest not only in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc but also other varietals.
Cuisine Rates The Wingwalker
The Alpha Domus The Wingwalker Viognier 2008 has been Awarded 4 Stars in Cuisine Magazine of May 2010.
Here's what they had to say:
“In this wine the gently caressing, creamy texture that Viognier can do so well is harnessed to deep concentrated fruit that offers a fascinating sweet-cum-funky profile, Jane Boyle enjoyed the “sophisticated use of oak’. Uncork a bottle with a stir-fry, complete with almonds and noodles.”
Vintage 2010 - Progress
Vintage kicked off at Alpha Domus on the 24th of March this year. Quite a late start, as last year we started on the 4th of March. The extended ripening period and dry weather has given us great fruit quality thus far, with clean fruit. While not especially high brix, the flavours have been excellent. Sauvignon Blanc fruit has shown crisp, clean aromas with a remarkable purity and intensity. Chardonnay has been very good too, with some wonderful flavours that show remarkable purity too.
Looking ahead, we are anticipating our Viognier to come in soon and the aromatic variety is shaping up well as the sugar levels rise. Semillon for the Leonarda is continuing to progress well, Darren (our vineyard manager) is continually assessing and watching the quality in the vineyard for this important variety. The Bordeaux reds continue to ripen and at this point are looking promising, as is the Syrah. All we need do now is to hope that the weather plays ball!
Viognier 2008 - Trophy Winner
To go with it's new name "The Wingwalker" Viognier 2008 now has a Gold Medal and The Trophy for Chapmion Viognier at the Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes Benz Wine Awards 2009.
Decanter Wine Awards - 2007
Now in it's third year, the Decanter World Wine Awards is a global competition whose aim is to provide credible recommendations for today's wine consumer. The awards reflect regional styles, celebrate diversity, promote value for money and highlight quality. Results were announced at the London International Wine & Spirits Fair - (22-24 May 2007). Alpha Domus was awarded Silver for both The Navigator 2002 & 2004.
Another success for the 2007 Viognier!
A Bronze medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2008 - Alpha Domus Viognier 2007
"Fresh clean nectarine and stonefruit aromas. A good weight. Clean, ripe fruit. Fresh and elegant hints of stone fruits such as nectarine and yellow plum. Well made. A good length."
Read more about these and other Alpha Domus accolades.
To go with a glass of the Barrique Fermented Chardonnay...
Our favourite easy-entertaining recipe from well-known chef and caterer, Ruth Pretty, is barbecued balsamic chicken with caramelised limes and salad greens. Click here for Ruth's recipe.
