Ivan Sutherland and James Healy, were, respectively the former chief viticulturalist and head winemaker at Marlborough`s iconic Cloudy Bay vineyard. Sutherland owns some 80 hectares of vineyards in the Waipara Valley which had been planted in the 70`s and 80`s, and so with their wives, jumped into their own venture, Dog Point. From the first vintage in 2002, they have garnered high praise & high points, while not always sticking to everyone elses game plan.
New Zealand
New Zealand
Friends who have visited recently tell me that this small nation has dragged itself out of the 1950s. Certainly in wine world terms it is growing up fast and new areas and experimental grape varieties have almost all turned out to be considerable successes. They do need to expand the number of countries to which they sell, being dangerously reliant on us, fickle lot that we are.
- Kumeu River
New Zealand may be conventionally known for Sauvignon Blanc, but it`s Chardonnay where the critical acclaim is really at just now - nowhere more so than with the brilliant Kumeu River. Founded in 1944, Kumeu River can lay claim to be one of the progenitor estates of the New Zealand wine industry. Over the years, they have experimented with a range of grape varieties, but it is always Chardonnay (and a cool, crisp, fruit-driven Pinot Noir) that has done best in their clay-on-sandstone soils. They vinify with natural yeasts, long-lees ageing, and oak only with a discreet touch.
- Kusuda Wines
‘Kusuda’s attention to detail is unparalleled, and his rigorous fruit selection would leave an accountant aghast.’ – Rebecca Gibb MW, The Wines of New Zealand
Kusuda has achieved a cult status far outstripping most other New Zealand producers, meaning the small production is hard to come by. Japanese-born ex-lawyer Hiro Kusuda threw over his previous safe career to pursue a lifelong obsession with fine wine. He subsisted without an income (but with a young family!) for almost a decade before this obsession brought returns.