Author: EvelynD

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Newsletter August ’26

Here’s a summary of the August 2026 newsletter from The Cellar Club Inc.

Event Announcement

    • Riverby Estate Tasting Night
      • Date: Wednesday, 12 August, 8pm
      • Location: Marlborough’s Jacksons Road
      • Door Price: Members $12 / Guests $16
      • Riverby Estate is a family-owned vineyard with a history dating back over 100 years
      • Wines featured include Gruner Veltliner 2024, Sauv/Semillon White Blend 2021, Pinot Gris 2025, Cicada Gewurztraminer 2025, Sali’s Block Riesling, Pinot Noir 2022, and Reserve Pinot Noir 2023.

Club Updates

  • Ordering Process: Orders for Riverby wines will be taken during the event, with payment to The Cellar Club the next day for delivery
  • Health Reminder: Members are encouraged not to attend if feeling unwell.

Recent Events

  • Johnsonville Dinner
    • 34 attendees enjoyed a buffet-style meal with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and dessert
    • The seating arrangement encouraged mingling and conversation
    • Thanks extended to Chrissy and the Johnsonville Club team.

Committee News

  • The mid-winter meal will remain local and hearty, while the Christmas meal will be more fine dining
  • Appreciation for members who help with setup and cleanup.

Upcoming Events

  • September: Del Mundo – Wines from Argentina
  • October: JK 14 Wines – Wines from Italy
  • November: Beach House Wines, Hawkes Bay
  • December: Christmas Dinner (Wednesday, 9th December)

Membership

  • Annual subscription ($25) is now due. Payment can be made via bank transfer or at the August tasting.

Wine Industry News

  • NZ Winter 2026
    • Mixed conditions, but excellent fruit quality in most regions
    • Central Otago faced frosts and delays, but fruit is promising
    • Industry challenges include lost contracts and unharvested blocks, especially in Gisborne and North Canterbury
    • Marlborough faces uncertainty with uncontracted blocks
    • Optimism remains for increased production due to demand.
  • California Crisis
    • Many vineyards are burning vines due to oversupply and declining demand
    • 30% of Sonoma County grapes went unsold; widespread vineyard abandonment.

Next Johnsonville Club Event

  • French Wine & Cheese Night
    • Date: Monday, 10 August
    • Location: 1 Norman Lane, Johnsonville
    • Price: $30 per person
    • Features premium French wine tastings and cheese selection.
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Newsletter July ’26

Here’s a summary of the July 2026 newsletter for The Cellar Club Inc:

Club Mid-Year Dinner

  • Event: Mid-Year Dinner at The Johnsonville Club, Vista Cafe, Wellington.
  • Date/Time: Arrive at 6:30pm for dinner at 7pm.
  • Details: B.Y.O. event—members are encouraged to bring wine from their own cellars. The club is subsidizing the buffet cost (members pay $55) and providing bubbles on arrival. The venue is local due to the current fuel crisis.
  • Transport: Public transport options (train and bus) are available nearby. There are 50 parking spaces after 5pm, but carpooling or public transport is encouraged.

Recent Event Recap

  • Margrain Vineyard Tasting: Hosted by Kate Throp, featuring several Margrain wines. The event was well-attended (29 members) and included discounted wine sales.
  • Wines Tasted: Margrain La Michelle Methode Traditionelle, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Rivers Edge Pinot, and Home Block Pinot.

Upcoming Events

  • Margrain Cellar Dwellers Tastings: Special tastings of aged wines in August and September. No bookings required; $25–$30 per person.
  • August: Riverby, Marlborough tasting.
  • September: Likely a focus on wines of Argentina.
  • October: J K Wines.

Club Updates

  • Bottle Tops Collection: The club has stopped collecting bottle tops; members are encouraged to use supermarket recycling. The last collection raised $132.60 for The Kidney Kids organisation.
  • Membership Subscriptions: Now due for the year starting July 1 ($25 per person). Payment can be made via bank transfer or in cash to Wayne Kennedy.

Other Information

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Newsletter June ’26

Here’s a summary of the June 2026 newsletter from The Cellar Club Inc.

June Event: Margrain Vineyard Presentation

  • Date & Time: Wednesday, 10th June, 8pm
  • Presenter: Kate Throp, Margrain’s Cellar Door/Sales/Marketing/Admin lead
  • About Margrain: A family-owned vineyard in Martinborough, established in 1992, known for its commitment to quality and a complete vineyard experience (tastings, tours, accommodation, and dining).
  • Wines Featured: La Michelle Methode Traditionelle, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Rivers Edge Pinot, Home Block Pinot.
  • Extras: Cellar Door open daily, kitchen open Wed–Sun, vineyard tours, and accommodation available.

Club Updates

  • May AGM Recap:
    • All committee members remain for another year.
    • Subscriptions stay at $25 for 2026/27.
    • Wayne Kennedy was unanimously made a Life Member.
    • Financial and President’s reports are on the club website.
  • Screwcaps Collection:
    • The club will stop collecting screwcaps after the AGM.
    • Members can bring any remaining screwcaps to the June meeting for donation to Kidney Kids NZ.
    • For recycling locations, visit recyclemap.co.nz.

Looking Ahead

  • July: Proposed Mid-Winter Dinner at The Johnsonville Club; members’ attendance feedback requested.
  • August: Margrain, Wairarapa event.
  • September: To be confirmed.

Wine News

  • Bell Hill (Canterbury) Named NZ Winery of the Year 2026 by The Real Review.
    • Recognized for consistency and excellence.
    • Other top wineries: Felton Road (runner-up), Prophet’s Rock, Quartz Reef, Bilancia.
    • Special awards for Cloudy Bay, Neudorf, Burn Cottage, Chateau Garage, Greywacke.
    • Rising Stars: Jascha Oldham-Selak and Sanne Witteveen.
    • Full list and event details available online.
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Newsletter May ’26

Here’s a summary of the May 2026 newsletter for The Cellar Club Inc.

Key Highlights

  • Annual General Meeting (AGM):
  • Scheduled for Wednesday, 13 May 2026 at the Johnsonville Community Centre.
  • Agenda includes confirmation of previous minutes, financial and president’s reports, election of officers, a notice of motion for life membership, subscriptions, and general business.
  • A special motion proposes granting Wayne Kennedy life membership in recognition of 41 years of service as Auditor, Treasurer, President, and committee member.

Wine Tasting Recap

The club hosted a tasting event featuring Gold Medal winners from the NZ International Wine Show (October 2025).

Wines tasted included:

  • 2025 Rapaura Springs Reserve Pinot Rose (Double Gold, Champion Rose)
  • 2025 Te Kairanga Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Double Gold, Champion Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 2025 Sileni Advocate Grand Reserve Albarino (Double Gold)
  • 2025 Sugar Loaf Riesling (Double Gold, Champion Riesling)
  • 2024 Craggy Range Martinborough Pinot Noir (Double Gold, Champion Pinot Noir)
  • 2023 Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz (Double Gold, Champion Commercial Red)
  • 2024 Beach House Cabernet Malbec (Double Gold)

Committee Updates

  • The committee supports Wayne Kennedy’s life membership nomination.
  • The club currently has 55 members, including five life members.
  • Life membership criteria and rights are detailed, emphasizing exceptional, sustained service and positive impact.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Members are encouraged to help with pouring at tastings and with setup/cleanup.
  • The club seeks a new volunteer to manage its website, as Steve is stepping down after 13 years.

Upcoming Events

  • June: Margrain, Wairarapa tasting.
  • July: Mid-Winter/Mid-Year Club Dinner (TBC).
  • August: Event TBC.

Wine News

  • New Zealand was named Wine Region Winner in the 2026 Azure Road Impact Awards Drinks Category.
  • Loveblock Winery received the Best Wine Brand award.
  • NZ wine industry’s sustainability efforts highlighted, with 98% of vineyard area certified under Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand

Special Event

Long lunch with Chef Laurent Loudeac at Kanteen Cafe, Wellington, on Sunday 24th May. Five courses with wine matches for $150.

Other Notices

  • The club will stop collecting screwcaps after the AGM; remaining collections will be donated to Kidney Kids NZ.
  • Contact details for club officers and committee are provided.
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Newsletter April ’26

Key takeaways from the April 2026 newsletter.

Upcoming Event: Gold Medal Winners Tasting

  • Date & Time: Wednesday, 9th April, 8:00 PM.
  • Cost: $16 for Members, $40 for Guests.
  • Focus: A selection of seven wines that won gold or double gold medals, five of which also won trophies in their respective classes.

Featured Wines

  • 2025 Rapaura Springs Reserve Pinot Rose (Champion Rose Trophy)
  • 2025 Te Kairanga Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Champion Sauvignon Blanc Trophy)
  • 2025 Sugar Loaf Riesling (Champion Riesling Trophy)
  • 2024 Craggy Range Martinborough Pinot Noir (Champion Pinot Noir Trophy)

Recent Club Activity

  • Penfolds Evening: Members recently enjoyed a prestigious tasting led by Wayne Kennedy. The 2012 Penfolds Bin 9 Cabernet Sauvignon was voted the highlight of the night.
  • Tribute: A glass was raised to late club member Mark Haythornthwaite, featuring a Pinot Noir from his own vineyard.

Industry News & Community

  • Big Sky Wines: A featured article describes the community-driven harvest at Big Sky Wines in Te Muna Valley, where owners Kath Jacobs and Jeremy Corban utilize friends and neighbors to hand-pick grapes for their organic winery.
  • Charity: The club continues to collect screwcaps for Kidney Kids NZ.
  • Future Meetings: The AGM is scheduled for May, followed by a presentation from Foxes Island in June.
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Newsletter March ’26

Key takeaways from the March 2026 newsletter.

March Event: Penfolds Tasting

  • Date: Wed 11 March, 8pm
  • Cost: Members $18 / Guests $22
  • Format: Panel tasting comparing aged cellar wines vs recent vintages.
  • Lineup highlights: Bin 28 (2006 & 2023), Bin 128 (2007 & 2022), Bin 9 (2012), Bin 138 (2012).
  • Extras: Prize draw for 2006 Bin 28 or 2007 Bin 128.

Club Notices

  • Health: Stay home if unwell.
  • In Memoriam: Former member Mark Haythornthwaite has passed; his 2024 Pinot Noir will be used for a tribute toast.

Recent Event Recap: Askerne (Hawke’s Bay)

  • Attendance: 35 members.
  • Insights: Askerne farms 32ha with 18 varieties; mostly hand‑picked; global wine consumption down to 1961 levels, but NZ exports up 1%.
  • Tasted wines: Rosé 2025, Chardonnay 2024, Viognier 2023, Pinot Gris 2024, CSM 2023, Reserve Merlot/Cab/Malbec 2021, Dessert Cab 2022.

Committee musings

  • Membership drive: Encourage guests; highlight easy access to train/bus.
  • Volunteers: Thanks for setup/pack‑down help.

Coming Up

  • April: Gold Medal/Trophy Wines (2025 NZIWS)
  • May: AGM
  • June: TBC

Feature: Halite Wines (Haidee Johnson)

  • Philosophy: Minimal‑intervention, expressive wines; organic growers; focus on Pinot Noir’s versatility.
  • Signature wine: Light Dry White — Pinot Noir made in a Chardonnay style (Abel clone).

Industry News

  • Millton Winery closing after 41 vintages; final wines discounted.
  • Te Awanga Estate group liquidation: $12m owed; wine club shipments stopped.
  • Wine Grenade liquidation: Tech company collapse due to IT failure; $475k owed.

Vineyard Visit: Swift Wines (Hawke’s Bay)

  • Experience: Casual lawn seating, platter‑basket system, rosé slushies, two sparkling wines.
  • Fun detail: Dachshund mascot appears on labels and greets visitors.

View the full newsletter below.

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Newsletter February ’26

Key takeaways from the February 2026 newsletter.

Askerne Tasting – Main Event

  • Date & time: Wednesday 11 February, 8pm.
  • Cost: Members $12 / Guests $16, plus $1 raffles.
  • Presenter: John Loughlin, Co‑Founder of Askerne.
  • Wines featured: Rosé 2025 (welcome), Chardonnay 2024, Viognier 2023, Pinot Gris 2024, CSM 2023, Reserve Merlot/Cab/Malbec 2021, Dessert Cabernet 2022.
  • Tone: Positioned as the first big club event of the year with a strong turnout expected.

Additional February Event – Italian Night

  • Venue: Johnsonville Club, Function Room.
  • Format: Guided Italian wine tasting with food pairings, sit‑down style.
  • Status: Limited spaces; pricing and tickets to be announced.

Overall Focus

  • Clear emphasis on kicking off the year with two substantial tasting events.
  • Strong variety in wine styles, from aromatic whites to structured reds and a dessert wine.
  • Encouragement for members to attend and engage early in the 2026 calendar.

View the full newsletter below.

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Newsletter – Jan ’26

Key takeaways from the January 2026 Cellar Club newsletter.

February Tasting: Askerne (Hawke’s Bay)

  • Event: Askerne tasting with Co‑Founder John Loughlin.
  • Date: Wednesday 11 February, 8pm.
  • Venue: Clubrooms.
  • Background: Askerne has grown from an 11.6ha family venture (est. 1993) into a diverse producer with a long history of award‑winning wines and evolving styles.
  • Notable history:
    • Early plantings from 1993–1996.
    • First cellar door opened in 1997.
    • Multiple gold medals and trophies through the 2000s.
    • New Icon series launched in 2018–2019.
    • Continued innovation through 2020–2021.

December Christmas Dinner Recap

  • Venue: Le Cloche.
  • Experience: Excellent food, friendly staff, and a relaxed evening across three large tables.
  • Menu highlights: Bubbles on arrival, amuse‑bouche, salmon terrine, choice of fish or duck, and a standout chocolate‑and‑red‑fruit dessert.
  • Member feedback: Very positive, especially about the dessert.

Wine News Highlights

  • Swift Wines (Hawke’s Bay):
    • New colourful cellar door on Mere Rd.
    • Build‑your‑own platter system and six‑wine tasting.
    • Limited sparkling Albariño (Pipi) available.
  • Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival:
    • Saturday 21 February, Masterton.
    • Tickets available online.
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Committee Musings May ’25

Thanks

It was great to have everyone help with the tables and chairs at the start of last months’ meeting and taking the same down after the meeting. Also taking the tables contents: spittoons/water jugs/cracker plates back to the kitchen. Could we please continue this new routine.

Reminder

We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than 7:30pm as we interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule, the cleaners are in the hall until 7:30pm.

Hobbies

Now we’re approaching the time for indoor hobbies, perhaps the following will give you inspiration for indoor fun:

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Looking Back – 2024 NZIW Gold Medal Winners, Apr ’24

Wayne, with Michael and Murray presenting to the Club
Wayne, with Michael and Murray presenting to the Club

What a brilliant evening! Organised by Wayne, who purchased the winning wines in a timely manner so he could secure every one that he wanted, and part hosted by Wayne, with Michael and Murray added to the panel presenting to the Club members.

We had 36 members turn up for the tasting, so the reputation of this evening from last year has grown!

Wayne had tasting notes for each wine to refer to, and club members were asked what they tasted, liked and towards the end of the evening there was a vote on the best wine of the evening – it was a fairly close call on that point!

The below wines were what we tasted on the night, and may available from New World, The Good Wine Company, and other NZ locations.

  • 2024 Leftfield Pinot Gris, Marlborough
  • 2024 Wairau River Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
  • 2024 Sileni Advocate Grand Reserve Albarino, Hawkes Bay
  • 2023 Bladen Eight Rows Riesling, Marlborough
  • 2022 Kirrihill Regional Series Clare Valley Shiraz, South Australia
  • 2021 Church Road McDonald Series Merlot, Hawkes Bay
  • 2023 McArthur Ridge Southern Tor Pinot Noir

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5-Course French Degustation Dinner at Tartines Café, Eastbourne, May ’25

The French dinner, advertised to the Club by Murray, who couldn’t attend, was hosted by Mission wines. As a follow up the Mission evening in March, a few of us went along to enjoy Mission’s Jewelstone brand of premier wines, matched with each of the five courses.

We opened with a tasting of Blue Cheese Mousse, Caramelised Pear on Toasted Brioche, which was delightfully smooth in the mouth. This was paired with Mission’s Fete Brut Cuvee NV. We were looking forward to the next course!

The next course was Salmon, Sashimi, Soya Jelly, Ginger Syrup, Wakame Salad, Washabi Mayo & Sesame Seeds – a tribute to the chef’s days at the original Hummingbird restaurant in Courtenay Place, when this was a stable on the menu. This was paired with Mission’s Jewelstone Rosé 2023. The Rose was pinky gold in colour and was amazing with the dish.

Our third dish was Goat Cheese Cannelloni, Cramed Leek, Walnut Cream and Caramelised Walnut. Paired with Jewelstone Chardonnay 2022.

The mix in this course went down very well, with the caramelised walnuts a
really lovely addition to the smoothness of the rest of the meal.

It was a beautiful evening, with a starlit sky outside and as the air began to cool the braziers were lit. It all added such an atmosphere to the evening.

Next, we moved to the red of the evening, Jewstone Antione, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020. This wine is from their Gilmett Gravels vineyards, and is small-batch, barrel
fermented. It paired excellently with the Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks Bourguignon, Parsnip Puree, Roasted Baby Carrots. Rich, creamy and so tasty.

To round the evening off we were served Lemon Curd, Pannacotta, Braised Pineapple & Passion Fruit Coulis, paired with Mission Estate Late Harvest 2024.

Tammy from Mission came around during the meal to check how things were going at tables, as well as giving us commentary on the different wines were  sampling and titillating us with the story behind the wines, such as the  Jewelstone Antoine.

A plus, we were able to order Mission wines if we wished to, after the meal. It’s great Tammy is in Johnsonville, as she is delivering any orders received on the night.

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Looking Back – AGM May ’25

Thanks to all those that attended the Club’s AGM. It was a short and succinct meeting, with all the important matters passed or discussed in a timely matter.

For those that couldn’t attend:

  • Financial Report has been uploaded to the Club website if you wish to review it.
  • Presidents Report, a copy of which has also been uploaded to the Club website.
  • Election of Officers, everybody on the committee was re-elected to continue in their previous roles.
  • Subscriptions, due at 1 July to remain at $25 for the 25/26 financial year.
  • All 3 Notices of Motion from Ken Warren in relation to changes to our Constitution to bring it up to spec with current legislation were unanimously received and accepted.
  • General Business: the subject of changing our starting time, especially for the winter months was again raised. It was agreed that our next AGM would start at 7:45, instead of 8pm.

The Supper put on by committee members was enjoyed, as was the socialising that accompanied it.

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