Musings – The Cellar Club

29 August, 202629 August, 2026

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.

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29 August, 2026

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:

29 August, 2026

Committee Musings Nov’25

Continued thanks

It continues to be helpful to have everyone help with the tables and chairs at meetings and taking the same down at the end, thanks. Also, taking your table’s spittoons/water jugs/cracker plates back to the kitchen.

Wines secured

We have secured 5 trophy wines and 2 double gold wines for our NZIWS Awards presentation timetabled for April next year.

Survey results to come

Thanks everyone for going online to respond to our survey. Unfortunately, you busted it, but not before we had gathered some great intel. We will try and report back on the survey in a future newsletter.

Looking ahead

December – Christmas Dinner, Le Cloche –there will be the normal welcoming glass of bubbly on arrival to start off the festivities. An order form for the meal, plus payment will be sent out separately.
January 2026 – Reminder: Currently there is no function planned for this January, but your committee is currently considering a specific idea for 2027. That said, if you have an idea that we also might consider, please talk to a committee member.
February 2026 – Askerne Wines