Takatu Newsletter - Winter 2010
This newsletter is dedicated to all lovers of Takatu & Kawau Bay wine who have the desire & wherewithal to keep drinking exceptional wine at a reasonable price.
This Season:
Spring happened instantaneously. After the wettest winter on record the rain suddenly stopped. It was as if someone had turned a switch off - the sun came out and stayed out. As I write this the season is well underway. The vines have already reached the top of the trellis, flowering has begun and as we always do at the beginning of every season, feel full of expectation.
Vintage 2008:
What a great summer! If not likened to the best summer of our childhood then the best of the past decade. The extended period of hot, dry weather brought drought conditions parching the Matakana region and stressing the vines, not to mention the vintners!
Relief finally came with beneficial rain just four weeks prior to picking, enough to refresh the vines and carry them through to harvest. As luck would have it, nature had given us just enough fruit that the vines could handle in these hot, dry conditions. The fruit ripened with superbly concentrated flavours and ripe tannins. The 2008 vintage, although relatively small in quantity, is outstanding in quality, right up there if not better than the exceptional 2005.
Exports:
We continue to export both the Takatu & Kawau Bay wines to the UK & our relationship with Michelin Star restaurants in London & other renowned eating establishments grows from strength to strength. Our wines are also enjoyed in Australia, in particular Sydney and by the end of the year our first shipment to Hong Kong will have arrived. We watched with interest as earlier this year Hong Kong cut its wine duty from 40% to zero, competing as a fine wine hub for the doorway to China. It has a thirst for luxury goods like Maserati cars, Rolex watches, Armani clothing and now there is Takatu wine!
It is a tribute to Herb Friedli our winemaker; Paul Came our viticulturist and all our valued staff. Their passion, commitment and attention to detail have achieved this respected position in such a short time.
Wines available now:
2006 Kawau Bay Merlot, Franc, Malbec:
We released the 2006 red wine from the Takatu vineyard under the Kawau Bay label. There is no 2006 Takatu red wine for this year. The grapes are the same from Takatu vineyard, the work just as dedicated and exacting on the vines but the vintage not quite meeting the stringent standards set for Takatu. Hence you will find the 2006 Kawau Bay is excellent, very smooth and exceptional value.
Tim Atkin M.W. selected this wine as his only pick from the Matakana region in his feature on NZ's exceptional wines in September in the U.K. newspaper The Guardian.
2005 Takatu Merlot, Franc, Malbec:
This is available now in limited quantities to our mail order clients. The only 5 star wine from the Matakana region, described in Michael Cooper's Wine Atlas of New Zealand.
'Unusually rich & complex...one of the most distinguished reds yet from Matakana reminiscent of a fine Bordeaux . . .' Michael Cooper's 2007 Wine Buyers Guide
2008 Takatu Pinot Gris:
In our consistently bone dry, Burgundian style, it is a wonderful endorsement to be placed in so many leading restaurants. Only released 3 weeks ago!
All in all the wine is in dangerously good form!
Takatu Lodge:
During 2008 the lodge has been acknowledged both globally and at home.It wasone of only three from N.Z. chosen to be featured in the stunningly presented coffee table book, The World's Greatest Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Travel & Leisure USA, 2008 edition. You cannot beg or buy this privilege as the journalists concerned are undercover and pay full tariff like everyone else to stay. After combing New Zealand they decided upon Huka Lodge, Whare Kea & a two page feature on Takatu Lodge & Vineyard. A big coup and special recognition for the attention to detail we put into everything we do.
Closer to home we were also awarded the Enviro Gold Trophy from Qualmark and Tourism NZ. Takatu is one of a handful of accommodation providers given this award in NZ. The award acknowledges our efforts to respect and leave a minimal footprint on our environment, implementing practices that optimise natural light, heating, energy systems, water catchments, storage, treatment and purification of effluent systems, (no, we do not water the vines and yes, we have plenty of sustainable water despite the 5 double baths and separate showers constantly used in our suites)! This Gold Trophy is highly recognised overseas where green initiatives are gaining greater importance and expected for discerning travellers.
Options when ordering:
Order now direct from the website, www.takatuwine.co.nz . We use a Secure Credit Card Facility for all online orders. It's simple and easy, with delivery taking approximately three working days.
Alternatively please find attached our Wine Order Formto complete and either fax or post to us.
Last Word:
There has been a lot going on at Takatu. It has been very satisfying to have achieved so much in such a relatively short time. This year we celebrate 10 years since we first bought the land in 1998 & realised our vision.
To have met and been influenced by the many wonderful people, old friends, new friends, acquaintances, colleagues and people along our path, some in passing, some who stayed a while and some who moved on. To all of you, who have left something of themselves; have enriched us and the world, thank you.
It gives us much pleasure knowing that those who imbibe our wine may have as much pleasure as we did in the challenge of growing it.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
John & Heather Forsman
WINE ORDER FORM:
Please send with payment to:
Takatu Vineyard Ltd, P.O. Box,129 Matakana, Auckland 0948
Tax Invoice GST Number 73-919-096
Order direct online at www.takatuwine.co.nz using our secure credit card facility
Alternatively fax this order form to: 09 423 0298
Takatu - Pinot Gris 2008 ($33.00 per bottle)
Mail Order case price ($30.00 per bottle)
6 bottle case $180.00
12 bottle case $360.00
Takatu - Merlot Franc Malbec 2005 ($39.00 per bottle)
Mail Order case price ($36.00 per bottle)
12bottlecase $432.00
1.5 Litre Magnum in wooden box Sold Out
Kawau Bay - Merlot 2006 ($24.00 per bottle)
Mail Order case price ($22.00 per bottle) - 12 bottle case $264-00
* Add Freight per case:
- Auckland/North Island / case $10-00 - South Island / case $16-00