Events

2019

  • Sun
    27
    Jan
    2019

    BBQ – Derek’s place

    4:00 pm to late

    Venue: Derek’s place (see email for details)

    No Charge event

    BYO wine

    Your committee arranges meat and salmon. We ask if you would provide a salad (for 8 people to share) if your home starts with an odd number, or a dessert (for 8 people to share) if your home starts with an even number, thank you.

    Anne asks you to bring any screw caps along that you have been collecting over the holiday period. 

  • Wed
    13
    Feb
    2019

    Tasting - Askerne Estate Winery

    7:45 - 9:45 pm

    Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall, 30 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 - Directions 
    Entry fee: Members $10 Guests $14
    Presenter: John Loughlin

    Wines to be presented include:

    • 2018 Askerne Sauv Blanc / Sauv Gris / Semillon
    • 2016 Askerne Reserve Chardonnay 
    • 2018 Askerne Viognier 
    • 2016 Askerne Gewürztraminer 
    • 2015 Askerne Syrah 
    • 2015 Askerne Merlot Cab Franc Cab Sauv Malbec 
    • 2016 Cabernet Franc
    • 2018 Askerne Dessert Cabernet
  • Wed
    13
    Mar
    2019

    Tasting - Villa Maria

    7:45 - 9:45 pm

    Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall, 30 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 - Directions 
    Entry fee: Members $10 Guests $14
    Presenter: Kirsty Warbrick and Marc Udy

    Wines for tasting:

    • 2018 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Rose
    • 2018 Villa Maria Reserve Wairua Sauvignon
    • 2018 Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Gris
    • 2016 Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay
    • 2018 Villa Maria Platinum Selection Pinot Noir
    • 2017 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Grenache
    • 2015 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Late Harvest Riesling

    From a one-man band to a global brand in 50 years

    In 1961, at just 21 years of age, George Fistonich leased five acres of land from his father in Mangere, Auckland and started off with just an acre of vines.

    George made his first wine under the name Villa Maria in 1962 with grapes harvested from this block.

    Throughout the 1960s Villa Maria was a one-man band, with George’s wife, Gail, supporting him in his venture.

    George made dry red and white wines, sourcing grapes from the greater Auckland regions.

    In the early 1970s, George started to employ staff and the company expanded rapidly.

    Today, Villa Maria employs more than 250 permanent staff, grows 28 different grape varieties, and exports wine to over 60 countries worldwide.

  • Wed
    10
    Apr
    2019

    Tasting - Top drops under $25

    7:45 - 9:45 pm

    Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall, 30 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 - Directions 
    Entry fee: Members $14 Guests $16
    Presenter: Joelle Thomson

    Wines to be tasted:

    2009 Forrest The Valleys Riesling
    Valformosa Cava Classic Brut NV
    2015 Main Divide Waipara Riesling
    2014 / 2015 Ulisse Montepulciano, Italy
    2013 / 2015 Crater Rim Waipara Pinot Noir
    2015 / 2016 Alary Gerbaude Cotes du Rhone
    2017 San Marzano Il Pumo Primitivo

    Joelle Thomson is a journalist, wine writer and author, who was bitten by the big buttery Chardonnay bug at Aro Street Café in Wellington, New Zealand, in the late 1980s and has been in love with wine ever since. She is a full-time writer.

    She wrote her first wine column in 1994 for Capital Times newspaper and remains a contributor to its reincarnated, slightly glossier version – Capital magazine.

    She also writes for Good magazine, NZ Winegrower, Drinksbiz and www.joellethomson.com. Joelle is a regular wine commentator on RNZ (Radio New Zealand National) on the Jesse Mulligan afternoon show. Joelle is the author of 16 wine books (published by New Holland and HarperCollins), including 10 annual wine guides.

  • Wed
    08
    May
    2019

    AGM

    7:45 - 9:45 pm

    Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall, 30 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 - Directions 
    Entry fee: No charge

    NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE JOHNSONVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE,  3 FRANKMOORE AVENUE, JOHNSONVILLE WEDNESDAY, 8 MAY 2019, COMMENCING AT 8 pm.

    AGENDA

    1. Apologies:
    2. Confirmation of the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting for the year 2017/18 held on Wednesday, 9th May 2018:
    3. Matters Arising:
    4. Financial Report for the Year 2018/19:
    5. President’s Report for the Year 2018/19:
    6. Notices of Motion:
    7. Election of Officers and Committee for the year 2018/19
      • President
      • Vice President
      • Secretary
      • Treasurer
      • Committee
    8. Subscriptions
    9. General Business

    ****************************************
    At the conclusion of the AGM, supper will be served,
    accompanied by wines from the Club’s cellar
    ***************************************

  • Wed
    12
    Jun
    2019

    Tasting - A taste of Europe, CoLab

    7:45 - 9:45 pm

    Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall, 30 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 - Directions 
    Entry fee: Members $14 Guests $18
    Presenter: Simon Bell, CoLab Wine Merchants

    In our post last month, Wayne mentioned that Simon would be presenting wines from South Australia.  While this had been canvassed it was not possible to put this together in the time available and Simon has outlined a Taste of Europe instead.  We are happy with this and the following will be the wines presented:

    • Alpha Domus Collection Sauvignon Blanc, NZ
    • Vivanco White Rioja, Spain
    • Guerrieri Rizzardi Pinot Grigio IGP Veneto, Italy
    • Domaine Dupre Bourgogne Chardonnay, France
    • Vivanco Rioja Crianza, Spain
    • Vivanco Rioja Reserva, Spain
    • Chateau Mauciol Cotes du Rhone Villages Red, France

    Members will know that Simon has supported our Club in the past has presented tastings for Ash Ridge and Macvine. Simon has recently moved to this new company in wine and spirit wholesaling, Colab Wine Merchants Limited. The directors of Colab are, as Wayne pointed out last month, associated with 2 well-known wineries: Alpha Domus Limited [Hawkes Bay] and Terra Sancta [Central Otago].

  • Wed
    10
    Jul
    2019

    Mid-year dinner - Trade Kitchen

    7:00 - late

    Venue: Trade Kitchen, Directions
    Entry fee: Members & guests $65.00

    Please complete the June 2019 Payment Advice and bring alone at our next meeting or email back to Wayne.

    Amazing response for the July dinner this year.  A total of 52 members and partners will be attending.  We do not have attendance statistics throughout the Club’s history but we do know that this is the best response for either a July or December dinner in the last 15 years.  Well done everyone.

    As you have previously studied the menu and decided on your orders there is no point going over the details again.  Also, the list is closed as this is the maximum group that the Kitchen can handle. Still with these numbers there can’t be anyone missing out who wants to be there.

    Please note that the start time is 7.00 pm for a 7.30 sit down.  Please don’t turn up early, it can cause confusion at the venue.  If you are staying in town, go somewhere else for a pre-dinner drink.

    Entrée

    Mushroom and parmesan arancini balls with aioli
    Ham hock terrine & cheese of the day
    Smoked Fish chowder with fresh mussels

    Mains

    Steak – grilled ribeye with spinach, crispy onion rings, roast tomato & mushroom sauce
    Fresh fish of the day with potato gratin, cherry tomatoes, crispy leeks, broccolini & lemon caper sauce
    Lamb rump with parsnip puree, potato mash, watercress, purple carrots, baby carrots & jus
    Parmesan pesto risotto with cherry tomatoes (vegetarian)

    Dessert

    Citrus cheesecake with berry compote
    Chocolate fondant with cream and Carrello del Gelato
    Coffee Crème brûlée

  • Wed
    14
    Aug
    2019

    Tasting - Waimea Estates

    7:45 - 9:45 pm

    Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall, 30 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 - Directions 
    Entry fee: Members $12 Guests $16
    Presenter: Odessa Clayton – Booster Wine Group

    Booster Wine Group are agents for Waimea in the Wellington region. Odessa will represent this Group at the tasting. Established on the Waimea Plains in 1993 by the toil and triumph of two generations of the Bolitho Family – Waimea Estates is one of Nelson’s larger producers with over 140 hectares of their own vineyards. While the Bolitho’s sold the business 2017 Waimea’s wines continue to be approachable and offer a breadth of flavours – perfect for pairing with fresh local produce.

    Waimea’s export varieties are based on highly awarded Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, and over the years Waimea has gathered 150+ Gold Medals and 26 Trophies across nine different wine styles – proving the versatility Waimea and the Nelson region provides.

    Wines to be tasted include:

    • 2018 Waimea Gewurztraminer
    • 2017 Waimea Riesling
    • 2017 Waimea Pinot Rose
    • 2016 Waimea Chardonnay
    • 2016 Waimea Pinot Noir
    • 2017 Waimea Cabernet Franc Syrah
  • Wed
    11
    Sep
    2019

    Tasting - Central Otago Wines

    7:45 - 9:45 pm

    Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall, 30 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 - Directions 
    Entry fee: Members $14 Guests $18
    Presenter: Cenna Lloyd from Negociants

         

    What makes this tasting even more interesting we will be doing the reds first. Come along and find out why.

    Secondly, Misha’s vineyard is based in the Bendigo region [between Cromwell and Wanaka although on the eastern side of Lake Dunstan], whereas Two Paddocks actually has 4 vineyards [2 in the Alexandra region, 1 in the Gibbston Valley and 1 in Bannockburn]. Hopefully, this difference in location will help us understand a little better the impact of terroir.

    And to lead us through this tasting we have Cenna Lloyd from Negociants. Cenna presented our very well received Yalumba tasting last year. Sadly there is no truth to the rumour that she had been successful in securing Sam Neill [Two Paddock’s owner] as her assistant.

    Wines to be tasted include:

    • 2018  Two Paddocks’ Single Vineyard Pinot Rose
    • 2017 Misha’s Cantata Pinot Noir
    • 2018 Two Paddocks’ Pinot Noir
    • 2017 Two Paddocks’ Riesling
    • 2015 Misha’s Limelight Riesling
    • 2019 Misha’s Dress Circle Pinot Gris
    • 2018 Misha’s The Cadenza Late Harvest Gewürztraminer
  • Wed
    09
    Oct
    2019

    Tasting - Celebrating RWC 2019

    7:45 - 9:45 pm

    Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall, 30 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 - Directions 
    Entry fee: Members $12 Guests $16
    Presenter: Keith Tibble – EuroVintage

    How quickly time pasts. It’s two years since Keith last presented a Spanish tasting to the club. Sadly Spain did not qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup even though they are a developing presence in Rugby 7’s.

    But America, Australia, England, France, Italy and South Africa did and they all make wines that we will get to taste and enjoy as we celebrate those countries’ success in getting to participate in the tournament.

    We did contemplate adding Kava [Fiji] and Saki [Japan] to the mix but ever mindful of the need to protect your taste buds and also to be able to lawfully drive home, the decision was reluctantly made to leave them off the tasting list. We also left out Argentina since they will be part of our November tasting.

    I’m also told that the style of the evening will be a little different with at least one of the wines being a mystery, much like some of the referee decisions being made at the tournament. One final thing. To add some atmosphere, we would like you to wear some rugby apparel. A cap, a scarf, a jersey, whatever you like.

    But if you don’t have any gear or don’t even like rugby, don’t let that keep you away. The range and diversity of the wines are sure to provide a lot of interest and make the evening worthwhile as we explore the different styles from around the world.

    See you then.

  • Wed
    13
    Nov
    2019

    Tasting - South American Wine & Food Matchings

    7:45 - 9:45 pm

    https://specsonline.com/events/discover-the-wines-of-south-america/Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre Hall, 30 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 - Directions 
    Entry fee: Members $18 Guests $20
    Presenter: Cenna Lloyd - Negociants

    As Wayne advised last month, our November tastings over the last three years, have been a bit different with an emphasis on a foreign country and wine and food matches. November this year will be no different although this year it is a region, rather than a country.

    Our presenter, Cenna Lloyd, departed after September’s tasting for a 3-week tour of South American vineyards so her offer to return and give us her insight into the wine sub-regions we will taste was just too good to pass up.

    The wines and food to be tasted are :

    • 2018 Vina Aquitina Rose [Chile]
    • 2018 Casa Marin Cartagena Sauvignon Blanc [Chile] w/ South American Ceviche
    • 2018 Tilia Mendoza Chardonnay [Argentina] w/ Bolinhos de Chuva (Brazilian cinnamon ‘raindrop’ doughnuts)
    • 2018 Alamos Malbec [Argentina] w/ Tortas Fritas (Argentinian fry bread)
    • 2015 Catena Alta Malbec [Argentina] w/ Bocaditos de chorizo de vino tin to (Red wine chorizo bites)
    • 2012 Queulat Cabernet Sauvignon [Chile] w/ Kibe (Brazilian beef croquettes)
    • 2014 Queulat Carménère [Chile] w/ Filete con sala chimichurri (Steak with a chimichurri sauce)

    Because we are organising food matches for the wines to be presented, there will be a need to control numbers attending. I know time is running short with the tasting being less than a week away (partly my fault, but there is just so much going on at present) however it would be appreciated if you could let Wayne know of your intentions relating to attendance. We would prefer not to have to restrict attendance to such a great tasting but the food is limited to 45 servings.

    Please complete the November 2019 Payment Advice and return to Wayne either at the next tasting or by email.

    See you on Wednesday and let’s enjoy.

  • Tue
    10
    Dec
    2019

    End of year dinner (New date)

    7 pm for pre-dinner drinks

    Venue: Cashmere Lounge, Khandallah, Directions
    Entry fee: Members & guests $68

    Please check the new date, Tuesday 10 Dec, NOT Wednesday 11 Dec.

    Please complete the November 2019 Payment Advice and return to Wayne either at the next tasting or by email.

    Entrée

    Butternut & chèvre gnocchi, confit garlic cream, parmesan croute
    Roast wild mushrooms in truffle oil, roquette, pinenuts, grana padano, sherry vinegar syrup
    Veal sous vide & pan roasted backstrap, frangelico parsnip puree, wild mushroom duxelle, asparagus tips

    Mains

    Beef tenderloin, braised cheek, mash, roast beets & mushroom, beurre rouge, roquette, jus
    Pork – crisp belly, mustard turnip smash, apple remoulade, pickled red cabbage, pork butterscotch sauce, jus
    Market fish – pan seared with Kombu broth, squash noodles & scallop tempura

    Dessert

    Brûlée of the day, citrus salsa, pistachio biscotti
    Sticky date & banana pudding, butterscotch, coconut ice cream, honeycomb
    Whittakers dark chocolate truffle cake, chocolate ganache, cookie crumble, hazelnut ice cream, waffle cone

See all past club events from February 1985.

 

Let’s Look Out for Each Other (still)

As always, please if you are feeling unwell, do not attend the evening’s presentation. Thanks, Your committee.

Member prize draw

Members’ prize draw is at each meeting, but you must be present to win. We also have a raffle draw to be won. Purchase your tickets at the door and be in to win.

Drinking and driving

Members will be aware of lowering drink/drive limits from December 2014. If unsure, read the Land Transport Amendment Act (no 2) 2014. We ask members to be conscious of these limits. For those driving, water and some food are provided or think about a designated driver, taxi, Uber, or dial-a-driver to get you home safely.

Wine bottle screw caps

Anne is collecting them to give to the Lions organised Kan Tabs for Kids. No food lids or beer tops, please. Save and bring them to the next monthly meeting.