Brookfields with Peter Robertson, Sept 2022

What a great turnout for our Trifecta event from the Hawkes Bay vineyards!

This event was well attended by Club members, plus we had four guests attend. There were eight wines to sample for the evening, plus the owner Peter Robertson was there to let us in on some of his planting/vineyard secrets.

Peter explained to us how he started his wine career working for McWilliams making a rose spritzer that they used to export to Fiji! Times have certainly changed as have tasted in the 21st century.

See Stop Press!! Cellar Club Wins Trifecta of Top Hawke’s Bay wineries!!Information is now freely passed between the Old-World vintners and the New-World vintners as are cuttings of the different wine varieties. The eight wines for the evening were:

  • 2022 Fiesta Rose – a Syrah dominant variety, floral with strawberry and melon on the tongue
  • 2022 Robertson Pinot Gris – this variety was from Brother John of Mission wines who introduced Peter to a 15-year-old bottle of this Pinot!
  • 2021 Bergman Chardonnay – named after the Ingrid Bergman roses on their property. A more modern style rather than the heavy buttery style of old
  • 2021 Barrique Fermented Viognier – surprisingly smooth in the mouth with fresh mineral notes
  • 2021 Back Block Syrah – this variety had its first vintage in 2000, spicy and this is their biggest-selling wine!
  • 2020 Ohiti Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – light and spicy but smooth with a year in old oak
  • 2021 Hillside Syrah – actually grown on land that Peter was invited to use to grow grapes. Woody but smooth in the mouth.
  • 2019 Reserve Vintage Gold Label Cabernet Merlot – a Bordeaux style wine, black fruits with subtle spice, this is wine is closed with the traditional cork stopper.

Our thanks go to Peter for his generous support for the Club, and to members for their support through the volume of sales.

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From the Editor: Dec 2013

2013 – what a great year we have had.

Following on from the regular BBQ in January we had the Mission Estate in February, a fantastic start to the tasting year.

March saw Lansdowne and Bijou with a look at developing producers in the northern part of Masterton.

April covered Easter Gold medal wines presented by committee members, while the AGM was in May, allowing members to enjoy a selection from the club cellar, after the formalities.

June saw the trivia evening and July the mid-year dinner at La Cloche.

August re-acquainted club members with Peter Robinson from Brookfields, while September was an aromatics evening with MacVine.

We followed this with a great Grant Burge evening in October and Advintage last month with Festive wines.

Dinner this month at Cuba Street Bistro will see off the year nicely.

2014 is looking settled already and we hope members will enjoy the calendar of tastings we are preparing. Compliments of the season to all.

Cheers
Robin Semmens, Editor

Glancing Back: Brookfields Winery, Aug 2013

A thoroughly enjoyable presentation from Peter Robertson. Peter had some interesting anecdotes including explaining that China would be our next big market. The wines were well received with excellent orders for the winery.

Feedback from Peter Robertson indicated that he was pleased with the meeting, and the orders received.

The committee was a little disappointed that only 22 members attended the evening, although there was a high number of visitors.

The wines tasted were; the Ohiti Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2012 as a quaffer; followed by the Robertson Pinot Gris 2012, Bergman Chardonnay 2012, Back Block Syrah 2012, Burnfoot Merlot 2012, Ohiti Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2012, Sun Dried Malbec 2012, and rounded off with the Indulgence sticky, 2012.

A great selection with the Sun Dried Malbec standing out.

Looking Forward: Brookfields

August 2013 – Brookfields, Hawkes Bay

Founded in 1937, Brookfields Vineyards is Hawke’s Bay’s Oldest Boutique Winery, situated alongside the glistening waters of the Tutaekuri River, between Napier and Hastings.

The winery was purchased by the current owner, Peter Robertson, in 1977, who has since transformed Brookfields into a leading winery for New Zealand premium wines.

Brookfields is built on tradition and sustainability, combining the best techniques from the past and today, to produce exciting wines each year from their own or shared ownership Hawke’s Bay vineyards.

Peter (or in his absence John Thirkell) will be presenting a range of Brookfields wines including 3 whites and four reds plus a “sticky”. A tasting not to be missed.