Category: from the editor

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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 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 – 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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