1. Stonecroft & Dermot McCollum – Glancing Back, April 2012

    April 4, 2012 by robyns

    stonecroft-logoYet another excellent presentation enjoyed by all who attended. It was agreed that this meeting went well although numbers were down. Reaction to some of the wines was mixed with some thinking that the wines were a bit on the young side. The Reserve Syrah 2010 was excellent however.

    Members were interested in the discussion relating to organic production and its problems / advantages and those who have a history with the producer were interested to see if there continued to be an impact from the previous owner Dr Alan Limmer. While Alan continues to provide guidance as a consultant, clearly Dermot and Andria, the current owners, have their own views and it will be interesting to see how Stonecroft wines progress in the future.

    Category: Glancing Back | Tags: , ,

  2. AGM – Looking Forward, April 2012

    April 4, 2012 by robyns

    The Cellar Club Inc Annual General Meeting will be held as follows:

    When : 8pm Wednesday 9th May 2012
    Where: Johnsonville Community Centre, Moorefield Road, Wellington

    Please give some thought to any proposals you might want to introduce for the meeting, and if you would like to make a nomination for anyone to represent the club on the committee. We are always eager for new ideas or different points of view.

    We will include a reminder in next months newsletter.

    Category: Looking Forward | Tags: , ,

  3. Charity, AGM, Mid-Year Dinner – From the Editor, April 2012

    April 4, 2012 by robyns

    Our President, Anne is collecting screw cap tops for charitable purposes. She would very much appreciate members saving caps and bringing them along to meetings – there will be a reminder in the regular items column.

    The AGM is coming up next month. See below under “Looking Forward” for detail.

    Mid-Year Dinner – While we are aware that some members are unhappy to come to dinners outside the Wellington CBD. During the March tasting we canvassed interest among members with regard to going out Petone way again this year. The idea had wide support. As a consequence Anne is currently in negotiation with the Weltec Catering School to see what they can offer for the July dinner. If negotiations are successful the dinner may be held on the 3rd Wednesday of July.

    There is some concern within the committee that door pricing for monthly meetings might reflect in attendances i.e. that if the door price is low, the quality of the wines might be similar. We would just like to point out that the door price is not necessarily set on the basis of wine cost. The Club is fortunate in that a number of presenters are very generous when it comes to charging us for wines consumed. This allows us to benefit members in a number of ways, for example by subsidising door prices or by providing extras like cheese and crackers, bread and pate and other items that might complement the wines being tasted.

    Cheers

    Robin Semmens, Editor

    Category: From the Editor | Tags: , , , , ,

  4. Brown Brothers Tasting – Next event, April 2012

    April 4, 2012 by robyns

    brownbrotherslogo

    Date: Wednesday 11 April, 2012

    Time: 7:45 pm – 10:00 pm

    Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall. How to get here.

    Presenter: Bernie Atkins, Central Representative

    Members: $12, Guests: $16

    Brown Brothers believe that wines are as different as the people who drink them which is why they have developed such a comprehensive range of wine styles and blends. Read on…

    In 1885 John Francis Brown, aged 18, planted 10 acres of mostly Riesling, Muscat and Shiraz grapes on the Milawa property that the family had purchased in a land auction back in 1857. Located in the lower reaches of the King Valley in North East Victoria, the Milawa Vineyard is the birth place of the Brown Brothers company. The Milawa Vineyard has become the fruit source for renowned wines such as Patricia Noble Riesling, Shiraz Mondeuse & Cabernet and Dolcetto, and is the home to Brown Brothers’ winemaking facilities.

    Brown Brothers believe that wines are as different as the people who drink them which is why they have developed such a comprehensive range of wine styles and blends. With vineyards located in a diverse range of climatic regions and a ‘kindergarten’ winery specifically designed for innovation, you can be sure there’s an exceptional Brown Brothers wine to suit every palate.

    Bernie will be presenting the following wines from their extensive range:

    Quaffer: Zibibbo Rosa – a low-alcohol sparkling pink wine.

    1. Prosecco
    2. Pinot Griggio (this will be a nice contrast to the Pinot Gris we have been tasting)
    3. Tempranillo
    4. Patricia Cabernet Sauvignon ( this will be the highlight of the evening)
    5. Dolcetto & Syrah
    6. Moscato
    7. Tawny Port

    Let’s sit back and enjoy a presentation on wines produced by an iconic Australian wine producer.

    Category: Next Event | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

  5. Australian Wine Industry’s Future Leaders – In the News, March 2012

    March 15, 2012 by robyns

    As we are hosting Brown Brothers in April the attached item on their website might be of interest. The item is from January 2012.

    ‘Brown Brothers Public Relations Manager, Katherine Brown, has been chosen as one of 15 participants for the fifth intake of the Australian Wine Industry’s successful development program Future Leaders – Succession for the Australian Wine Sector. Participants represent a broad cross-section of the industry, from winemakers and viticulturists to professionals involved with marketing, sales, public relations and industry development.

    More than 50 applications were received for the program, which will be delivered for the third time by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF). Five sessions will be held in different venues over six months, beginning in Canberra in May. “The quality and diversity of the applicants remains very high and that has been a key part of the program’s success,” said Stephen Strachan, Chief Executive of the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA).

    “These are young or mid-career leaders who we are hoping will get involved with important issues for the sector at a national, state and regional level.

    “We want them not just to learn, but also to engage, contribute and debate, and to develop the range of skills that underpin strong leadership.”

    Future Leaders is a joint initiative of WFA, Wine Grape Growers Australia, Wine Australia and the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation.

    The 15 successful program applicants for 2012 are:

    • James Agnew, General Manager, Agnew Wines Pty Ltd (NSW)
    • Trish Barry, Managing Director, Mastermind Consulting (NSW)
    • Kristy Bartrop, Industry Development Officer, Riverina Wine Grapes Marketing Board (NSW)
    • Katherine Brown, Public Relations Manager, Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard (Vic)
    • Julian Forwood, General Manager Sales, Wirra Wirra Vineyards (SA)
    • Martin Gransden, Company Viticulturist, Cumulus Wines (NSW)
    • Liam Heslop, Winemaker, Lowe Wines Pty Ltd (NSW)
    • Ashley Keegan, Chief of Viticulture, Food & Beverage Australia Ltd (SA)
    • Daniel Killey, National Business Manager, Samuel Smith & Son Pty Ltd (SA)
    • Victoria Leeke, Viticulturist / Owner, Ripe Viticulture (Vic)
    • Suzanne McLoughlin, Viticulturist – Sustainability, Treasury Wine Estates (SA)
    • Nikki Palun, Marketing & Trade Manager, De Bortoli Wines (NSW)
    • Anthony Quinn, National Supply Manager Orlando Wines (SA)
    • Anthony Scholz, Owner / Manager, Scholz Estate (SA)
    • Chris Tyrrell, Assistant Winemaker, Tyrrell’s Vineyards (NSW)’

     

    Category: In the News | Tags: , ,

  6. Shona McIntyre – New member, March 2012

    March 15, 2012 by robyns

    We would like to welcome a new member to the Cellar Club, Shona McIntyre of Johnsonville has recently joined.

    Welcome Shona, we hope you enjoy your association with the Cellar Club.

    Category: New Member | Tags:

  7. Opinion of life – Have you heard, March 2012

    March 15, 2012 by robyns

    The scene is a monastery where every seven years a monk is selected to pass an opinion of life within the community.

    At one of the seven year meetings, the Abbot calls upon Brother Albert to say what he feels, and the privileged monk asks: “Why is our soup always cold?”

    Seven years later Brother John is invited to speak, and he says: “The soup is not always cold but is sometimes hot.”

    Another seven years pass and this time Brother Richard is called upon. He says: “I want to resign the Order”

    When asked why he contends: “I’m sick and tired of this constant bickering.”

     

    Category: Have you heard | Tags: ,

  8. Saint Clair & Hamish Clark – Glancing Back, March 2012

    March 15, 2012 by robyns

    Saint Clair Family EstateAn excellent presentation enjoyed by all who attended. We have had some difficulty tying St Clair down but it was well worth it in the end.

    The Club enjoyed the content of Hamish’s discussion as well as the excellent wines. Well done to those who organised this evening.

    Wines presented included:

    • Vicar’s Choice Sauvignon Blanc Bubbles 2011
    • Marlborough Premium Gruner Veltliner 2011
    • Pioneer Block 18 Snap Sauvignon Blanc 2011
    • Marlborough Premium Chardonnay 2011
    • Marlborough Premium Pinot Noir 2011
    • Reserve Merlot 2008
    • Pioneer Block Syrah 2010.

     

    Category: Glancing Back | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

  9. Brown Brothers Tasting – Looking Forward, March 2012

    March 15, 2012 by robyns

    Still some detail to work out but it currently looks like we will have Bernie Atkins, Area Manager, Brown Brothers Wines NZ Ltd as our April presenter.

    We are really looking forward to having such an iconic Australian producer deliver from their very wide variety of wines.

    More detail next month.

    Category: Looking Forward | Tags: ,

  10. New website, AGM, new ideas – From the Editor, March 2012

    March 15, 2012 by robyns

    If you haven’t done so already please take the time to look through the newly designed Cellar Club website.

    I would just like to repeat that the updated website features a number of new areas as listed below, and you may find it useful to have a look.

    • descriptions of the next event and any reminders
    • list of articles online; no more trawling through old email to find previous articles
    • list of upcoming events including previous events dating back to the first meeting in February 1985 – St. Helena wines
    • the ability to now order tasting glasses online
    • an online subscription to the clubs newsletters; members get the newsletter anyway but this allows you to opt out if you no longer want to receive it
    • previous newsletters
    • information and links to discounts offered by the clubs supporters
    • more details about the club and our rules
    • and the ability for you to contact the club

    Steve and myself continue to work on ways we can make the current newsletter easily accessible through the website.

    Only a couple of months away from the AGM now. Members might like to give some thought about issues they would like to raise including suggestions for presentations and possible venues for our two annual dinners. Your committee are working on a novel option for July.

    Cheers

    Robin Semmens, Editor

    Category: From the Editor | Tags: ,

Older Entries
Newer Entries