Next Tuesday, we are welcoming for the very first time, Kirsten Searle, Owner and passionate Vintner of Matawhero Wines, Gisborne.
Matawhero is the oldest winery cellar door in the region and has the very first vines in the world to see the sun and greet the new day! Something truly poetic about it!
The Matawhero journey started with two NZ wine pioneers from the 1960s.
Bill was a visionary who defied the conventional thinking of the time. He pioneered the introduction of new varieties and clones to the country, and in doing so changed the face of Kiwi winemaking. In the 1970s Bill’s son, Denis, launched the Matawhero brand, using his father’s grapes and imparting his own colourful style to a selection of excellent and distinctive wines. His Gewürztraminer won international acclaim, and even ending up in Buckingham Palace. If it's good enough for the Queen...!
Today the story continues around the drive and determination of Kirsten and Richard Searle, who purchased the Matawhero vineyard and winery in 2008. They are the trusted Kaitiaki (guardians) of Matawhero and continue to develop the iconic winery and share the distinctive wine styles of the Tairawhiti-Gisborne region. They produce famous and highky awarded NZ Chardonnay and other wines including aromatics like the Royal approved Gewürztraminer and some utterly delicious and distinctive Reds, like their bold and juicy Malbec.
When, in 2008, Denis decided to sell Matawhero, local winegrowers Richard and Kirsten Searle grabbed the opportunity and purchased the iconic winery. The Searles have revitalised the operation. The home vineyard has been replanted with new clones, along with a number of exciting new varieties, and the production facilities were upgraded, all in the mere aspiration to produce individual wines that are shining examples of their Gisborne terroir and carry on the Irwins' legacy.
Their vineyards are 100% naturally dry farmed and they only grow their grapes using natural rainfall and no irrigation, hence saving a precious resource like water and reaching for superior fruit flavours with lovely weight and texture! The high sunshine hours and warm climate of Gisborne ripens the fruit perfectly and creates distinctive wines with real fruit intensity. It is like capturing the sun in a glass of wine!
In an exceptional vintage, we hand craft this limited release barrel fermented style of Chardonnay, Irwin. This flagship wine is a tribute to the late Bill Irwin and son Denis, the founders of Matawhero Wines, Gisborne, New Zealand. A wine that scored an impressive score of 96 Points from Wine Orbit and ranked 4th in a line-up of 123 Chardonnays! A very special wine indeed that you will have the pleasure to try on the night. We have also secured the very last stock of the 2018 vintage for you!
We will be showing 8 wines on the night, with canapes served throughout the evening, as always.
This tasting promises to be very special indeed! Take part in the rebirth of a legendary vineyard!