The Power of Passion

There’s been some exciting, stirring rugby already and we look forward to the weeks ahead. We have had a huge influx of RWC visitors to the cellar door – all nationalities, all ages, all inspired by our beautiful country and the great game they have come to follow.

Yesterday a coach load of French arrived. We love the French – they are so passionate and patriotic – as soon as they saw the French flag flying they gathered beneath it and with hands on heart sung their  wonderfully stirring anthem “La Marseillaise”.

Waka, the loyal Palliser dog, was so excited he started warbling with them!

Author: Carla

It Finally Happened!

Well it had to come! After all last season without a single frost we were definitely due for one, especially after the last few wet cold days here in Martinborough.
It was an early frost alert at 11:05pm that first woke Blair and I up, but was quickly ignored though, for it was a weather station in Wharekauhau Vineyard which at this stage does not need to be protected. So back to sleep we went for a few more hours till the next alert had us up and out the door at 2am sharp. The frost monitors alert Blair and I at 0.5^o so we have a little bit of time to scope out the temperatures over all the vineyards and determine what needs to go on first when the temperature gets close to, and under 0^o in some places.
So as of 02:30 the windmill and SIS machine at Om Santi were in full swing with the temperature there at 0^o and ice forming on the irrigation tubing. From there it was a few hours wait until at 5am we put both the water on in Collins bottom Pinot block and then Cloustons overhead sprinklers to cover the Chardonnay and Pinot that is in full bud movement. The lowest temperature fell to around -1.5^o at Wharekauhau and -1.0^o at Clouston.
Not a bad night to start the frost season off, giving both Blair and I (whom are a little rusty after a full 24 odd months of not using the equipment) an easy introduction to how all operates again.
Mission accomplished…..

Author: Derek

Martinborough Unmasked – 10th & 11th October

Discover what really happens behind the cellar door, experience what happens behind the scenes of Martinborough’s top vineyards, olive groves and food producers with Martinborough Unmasked. Palliser Estate is one of the wineries that will offering sneak peeks at a part of their business not normally seen by the general public.

The two day event, to be held on October 10th and 11th – just days after the Wellington-hosted Rugby World Cup 2011 quarter finals – will give visitors an opportunity to meet the people responsible for creating some of New Zealand’s luxury food and wine products.

Each operator will provide a 15 minute ‘sneak peek’ of their business on the hour between 11am – 3pm. This means visitors can create their own itinerary for the day and explore Martinborough at their leisure.

“For example, people may start at Palliser Estate at 11am to do a vertical tasting in their underground cellar”.

Full information can be found on the website www.martinborough-unmasked.com

We look forward to welcoming anyone who wants to discover the magic of Martinborough

Author: Jane

A True Fan

This morning i received the following email.
“Hello:  I just drank a bottle of your 1998 Pinot Noir and it was absolutely divine! I had to give you the feedback and also ask where on earth can I buy some in the US? I bought the 1998 whilst in Auckland in 2000 and had saved it all these years. That bottle has traveled from Auckland to Singapore and then to the States and was finally enjoyed a couple of weeks ago. The fact that it held up so well under all the travel and the passage of time is a testament to your wine makingJ. Please help me locate a more recent vintage of your marvelous wine.”

We are passionate about our wines and its wonderful when other people also feel that same passion and share it with us.

Author: Carla

Game On

What a weekend. From the stunning opening ceremony on Friday night through to the nail biting South Africa vs Wales last night this tournament looks to have it all. The arrival of the Waka was majestic and very moving and set the tone for what was to come. The opening ceremony was very very good — there were a few tears shed and those that attended were privileged. As a Nation we can be very proud of the opening – it was fantastic and a perfect way to embark on the six week journey.

Then onto the Rugby. We saw some classic matches and what became very evident was that the so called minnows have raised their standard of play big time. The Romanians being roared on by a passionate Southland crowd against the favoured Scots who just got out of jail. The Argentineans getting stuck into England. The Japanese giving France a scare. Then the epic South Africa vs Wales. Mr Barnes is at it again – the kick missed– yeah right! The AB’s had one great half and one not so good but they are on the journey.

If the weekend was a sample of what’s to come then we are in for a wonderful six weeks. Welcome our guests and show them a very good time as opposed to an expensive time. New Zealand welcome the World and they will return.

Author: Richard