Well, how did I get here? (can it really be 40 years since Stop Making Sense?). It feels like no time ago we were in frost mode, swandri, & anticipation of warmer weather & green buds breaking. Now, those buds are triffid-like creatures well up to the post top! Look at this growth, & complete seasonal reversal, over Oct. |
|
|
As to field work ... Good growing conditions so far, with the exception of late frosts. Some damage but not so bad. We're mostly through flowering & conditions have been favourable here too. Growers & makers in the Wairarapa are in anticipation of hot dry conditions. Quiet whisperings about potential for a "vintage year". That would be a fine thing! |
|
In the winery ... all is calm. And all is bright! There are two Pinot Noirs in barrel. And a Chardonnay on the way in the new year. Both Pinot Noirs are shaping up pleasingly well. Decisions pending on bottling & blending. We're very excited about the Chardonnay. Tastes gorgeous. It will be a very small batch. Let us know if you'd like some set aside. |
|
|
Carbon-based life forms news ... to stay with the Talking Heads theme, this is my beautiful wife & she is now a credentialed winemaking type. Last month Caroline completed a Grad Dip Oenology from Eastern Institute of Tech. We are very proud of this effort & achievement, particularly while balancing everything/one else! Been quite a lot of comparative tasting over the last few months. To track the development of our wine through ageing & attempt to benchmark it against peers. It is all very taxing! |
|
|
The vineyard crew really have been Trojans. Dylan & Coire are our mainstays & have been powerhouses getting through work. They've been excellent companionship too! We've been lucky to have Cesar our Uruguayan guest, who not only works but delights us with his Latin singing from the among with vines. Luca has joined in too. With the work, not the singing. So far! As the season gathers pace, exhaustion will disolve his pretensions, you wait & see! Thanks to sister Lauren, we found ouselves in the December issue of North & South! Quite exciting. |
|
|
Some of you will recognise Sergio Ritossa below. He came to help out in November. He brought tasty Italian treats & mostly drank wine & caused trouble. The perfect guest! |
|
|
We're experimenting with a wee gifting option ... |
|
|
20% off for subscribers for what remains of 2023 |
|
|
On the subject of discounts ... anyone signed up to our mailing list by 31 December receives a 20% discount on purchases (excluding the Moses Gift Basket) from Home Fields until the end of the year. If you've forgotten the discount code drop us an email & we'll remind you. We are currently thinking through options to balance our solvency with our keenness to have our wine in glasses far & wide. We'll have a promotion/discount announcement soon. |
|
|
On the near horizon ... apart from fixing the sprayer which has clapped out again! we're looking forward to getting to Christmas with the hope of a break. Hoping that we have done enough to be on top of work & to stand down for a rest - essential really as some heavy duties lie in wait with netting & harvest in particular. Otherwise, mid January we're likely to be bottling some 2023 Pinot Noir alongside the Chardonnay. We're keenly aware of the imperative of selling wine! Eager to spend time on-the-road to share our wine & tell the story of the 5 heritage vineyards it comes from. We will eagerly speak with anyone - if you have any ideas or interest, let us know! Road trip to Taupo, Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Waikato & Akld ... |
|
|
& so ... NZ nears the summer hiatus period with a succession of holidays, strange semi-casual working arrangements, children to juggle. How did we get here so quick? We have lots to look forward to - decent weather!?, long nights, char-grilled cooking, the Australian Open, ham, Christmas cake (especially the marzipan) ... We also have a lot to be thankful for. We're particularly grateful to have you guys & the support & encouragement you have shown us over this last 5 or so months since we launched ... |
|
|
... so from our little home field to yours, Thank You! Happy Christmas & safe & relaxing holidays. Mā te wā. Feel free to drop us an email or share this or anything else from us on social. |
|
|
|
|
