World Of Wine Winter 2019

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Getting into the CRU A MEETING OF MINDS WAS PRELUDE TO A GROUNDBREAKING WINE PARTNERSHIP In the wine world, the name Steve Smith needs little introduction. A Master of Wine and viticulture specialist, Steve was at the forefront of the Craggy Range brand launch, and has been part of their many successes ever since. Fewer, however, will know Brian Sheth, an American entrepreneur and founder of the market-leading investment firm Vista Equity Partners. Steve and Brian first met in 2012 at the exclusive Cape Kidnappers. At an impromptu wine tasting, the pair discussed the potential for specific exports of fine New Zealand wine to the US. They became firm friends, bonding over passionate conversations about wine, French styles, the environment and the future, sport and music. With so much in common, and the fine wine space opening up, the pair realised there was an opportunity to be had. In wine circles, many a spirited discussion can be overheard about fine wines, that inevitably lead to comparisons in quality and style of the great wines of the world. Bordeaux (Cabernets & Merlot) and Burgundy (Pinot Noir & Chardonnay) are two such examples, where comparisons with Oregon, Tasmania or New Zealand are typical. Steve and Brian recognised that wines like Grand Cru and Premier Cru – words inextricably linked to famous French wines - were simply becoming too expensive in New Zealand; ‘new generation’ wine drinkers were ready to embrace a series of new world classics. “To deliver wines of exceptional quality requires exceptional vineyards; finding a cool climate with the right soils to deliver outstanding wines with varieties as popular as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and the Cabernets was no easy task,” says Steve. “It was paramount we found the right sites to establish a sense of place in any wines we produced.” Steve and Brian share the same environmental awareness and are aware of the potential impacts that climate change can have on viticulture. “Finding sites that are sheltered from the impacts of nature are critical to fine wine growing and production,” explains Steve. Two years after he ended his commitments with Craggy Range in 2015, Steve and his family flew to the US to spend more time with Brian’s family. Brian’s experience in the financial sector, coupled with Steve’s expertise in viticulture, winemaking and vision was a perfect match, and in 2016, two companies were formed – Aotearoa New Zealand Fine Wine Estates LP (AONZ), and the Smith & Sheth Wine Company. The partnership was done; now all they needed was to find the perfect location. In 2017 AONZ purchased Pyramid Valley in North Canterbury; and Lowburn Ferry in Central Otago, and a small parcel of land in the Gimblett Gravels appellation of Hawke’s Bay. “The timing was just right; the properties matched our vision perfectly,” says Steve. “Our aim from the beginning was to create excellent wine, with a sustainable, long-term goal.” Who is the team behind AONZ? The Smith & Sheth CRU winemaking team includes Steve Smith with help from Warren Gibson and Caleb Dennis who looks after the Gimblett Gravels land. The Pyramid Valley wines are made by Huw Kinch. Overseeing the Manata Estate in Cromwell, home to the Lowburn Ferry Home Block Wine and the new Pyramid Valley Central Otago Pinot Noirs is Nick Paulin. Nick was shortlisted in this year’s international ‘Future 50’ awards for young professionals under 40 working in the food and wine industry around the globe. “We are so lucky to have Nick,” says Steve. “He is deeply passionate about viticulture and the whole wine environment, especially the organic and biodynamic principles and practice.” All the AONZ businesses are managed by Michael Henley. 40 WORLD OF WINE – WINTER 2019
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Cam says... In my opinion, (see wine notes on page 62 & 64), Smith & Sheth CRU wines from Hawke’s Bay are serious, world-class fine wines, comparable to any of their fine wine counterparts in the northern hemisphere. The Cantera 2016 Omahu is a particular favourite. Smith & Sheth’s exclusive Exchange To bring all of these wine companies together, Steve and Brian opened the Smith & Sheth Cellar Door and Wine Lounge and the Heretaunga Studio in the Courtyard of the Village Exchange in Havelock North. The studio has a theatre, a lounge and a barrel cellar experience all rolled into one, the idea being to make it as interactive as possible. Only eight guests at a time can participate in the experience. Sommelier Sonya Eberly heads the wine experience team. For more information on Smith & Sheth, visit www.smithandsheth.com Steve and Brian believe strongly in New Zealand’s wine potential, particularly in the cool limestone slopes of the Waikari region in North Canterbury, and on the older, more weathered schist soils of Central Otago. “We also believe Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world’s great varieties that deserves to be recognised as a fine wine. It will continue to be a major part of our portfolio,” says Steve. Smith & Sheth’s CRU, based in Hawke’s Bay, currently has a portfolio containing Albarino; three different expressions of Chardonnay from three separate sites; Cantera (a red blend led by Cabernet); and two Syrahs. An eighth wine, Sauvignon Blanc, is sourced from specific old vine parcels around Renwick township and Sam and Mandy Weavers biodynamic vineyard on the hills above the Waihopai Valley. The recentlyopened the Smith & Sheth Oenotheque and the Heretaunga Studio in Havelock North are a cellar door, wine lounge and tasting experience. The Hereatunga Studio takes up to 8 people, while the Oenotheque- Cellar Door and Wine Lounge is open to more people on a walk up basis. W WORLD OF WINE – WINTER 2019 41
Page 1 and 2: World of Wine CAMERON VOLUME 2 WINT
Page 3 and 4: SEDDON VINEYARD, MARLBOROUGH
Page 5 and 6: Sofia & Jackson’s wedding, Melbou
Page 7 and 8: EDITORIAL All About Cameron Master
Page 9 and 10: WINES BY REGION the new(ish) kids o
Page 11 and 12: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS David Herd had
Page 13 and 14: Top Cellar Doors WHEREVER YOU'RE TR
Page 15 and 16: TOP WINE DESTINATIONS ELEPHANT HILL
Page 17 and 18: WINE AND FOOD Perfect with Pinot TH
Page 19: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and the pair we
Page 22 and 23: WHITE WINES This grape variety has
Page 24 and 25: TASTING NOTES CHARDONNAY 8 9 10 11
Page 30 and 31: Whãnau, Whenua... Tohu Somewhere i
Page 32 and 33: WHITE WINES Wild about Blanc THE FR
Page 34 and 35: TASTING NOTES SAUVIGNON BLANC 8 9 1
Page 36 and 37: Alastair Maling MASTER OF WINE Stev
Page 38 and 39: TASTING NOTES PINOT GRIS 1 2 3 4 5
Page 42 and 43: Fifty Shades OFRosé If you lined u
Page 44 and 45: TASTING NOTES ROSÉ new zealand is
Page 46 and 47: Label Language WHETHER YOU BUY YOUR
Page 48 and 49: SPARKLING WINES Modern Methodes Unw
Page 50 and 51: TASTING NOTES BUBBLES Akarua Rosé
Page 52 and 53: Aromatically Speaking All wines hav
Page 54 and 55: TASTING NOTES AROMATICS Tohu Whenua
Page 57 and 58: Pinosity OF ALL NEW ZEALAND WINES,
Page 59 and 60: Discover perfection within www.naut
Page 61 and 62: TASTING NOTES PINOT NOIR Domain Roa
Page 63 and 64: TASTING NOTES PINOT NOIR Wooing Tre
Page 65 and 66: TASTING NOTES MIGHTY REDS Pegasus B
Page 67: TASTING NOTES CABERNET SAUVIGNON Vi
Page 70: CAM'S BACK PAGE Behind the Velvet C

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