Butterworth Estate – Oct 2021

Nick Newitt, General Manager

Renowned sailors, the Butterworth Family (Brad & Warren), is the new custodian of Julicher vineyard, planted in the iconic soils of Te Muna. The J-Knot on every bottle, the strongest knot you can tie, is a tribute to their vineyard’s founder, Wim Julicher.

Wim Julicher originally planted the Te Muna vineyard as an Olive Grove, but the site’s unique aspect made it far too cold for the olive trees. Luckily, it creates the perfect amount of pressure for the divine struggle required to produce world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Butterworth Family has a viticultural heritage dating back to the founding days of the New Zealand wine industry – the original 1890’s vineyard property is still in the family today.

The wines for our evening are from their Te Muna (Butterworth formerly Julicher vineyard and Layline ranges:

  • 2020 Butterworth Layline Martinborough Pinot Gris
  • 2021 Butterworth Dry Riesling (pre-release tasting)
  • 2019 Butterworth Layline Sauvignon Blanc
  • 2020 Butterworth Te Muna Chardonnay
  • 2020 Butterworth Regatta Rosé
  • 2018 Butterworth Layline Pinot Noir
  • 2018 Butterworth Te Muna Pinot Noir

Next & future events

Esk Valley Wines, September

We were to be entertained in September by Gordon Russell from Esk Valley. Gordon is described as one of the Godfathers of the wine industry.

Unfortunately, due to the current situation with the Delta variant of COVID19 this month’s Club evening has had to be cancelled. We can’t meet until we are down to Level 2.

While this is disappointing for us all, for your information and interest, the wines we were going to be tasting were largely from Esk Valley’s new range: Artisanal. Wine f.y.i.:

  • Artisanal Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc
  • Artisanal Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay
  • Artisanal Hawke’s Bay Gamay Noir
  • Artisanal Hawke’s Bay Syrah
  • Artisanal Gimblett Gravels Malbec Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

Future events for 2021

  • 13 October – Butterworth Estate, Martinborough with either their Manager Nick Hewitt or Martin Bell their winemaker
  • 17 November – Crater Rim from Omihi Rise, Waipara
  • 11 December  – PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE as it is a Saturday for our Cellar
    Club’s Christmas dinner

Thanks, Editor