A report from Bladen Wines in New Zealand regarding their 2019 grape harvest and the wines.
Chris Macdonald has just written to us to let us know what’s been going on at Bladen Wines in recent months and a little about the harvest.
The big news is that son Blair joined the wine-making team a few months ago and as well as an extra pair of hands helping out, he’s come in like a breath of fresh air with plenty of excitement and enthusiasm. As well as doing exactly as father Dave tells him, he’s now going off to study for a Bachelor of Viticulture and Winemaking. He’s sure to become a great asset for the estate and will make mum and dad very proud in the future.
Last summer was the busiest ever on the estate and the cellar door tasting room and shop has brought in some excellent business for the estate and although it’s closed now, it’ll re-open in October if any of you are thinking of a trip.
The vintage is almost complete and the weather has been simply perfect which culminated in a good quality and early harvest. Everyone seems pretty relaxed with the wines now in either tank or barrel and early tasting are proving to be first class. Tank wines should be being bottled between late July and October as well as the barrel aged wines from last year.
2019 has seen them produce the usual range of Rose, Pinot GrisRiesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir as well as the top Sauvignon Blanc with a new wine adding to their range. A Sauvignon Blanc which has been partially barrel fermented adding some extra depth and richness to the wine. Watch this space for it to appear.
Lastly, a highly respected New Zealand Food Magazine has found them and started to write some good things about the wines. They took some decent photos too so I’m attaching a couple to whet your appetite!
