But watch out – there won’t be huge quantities available of the 2012 vintage:  The temperamental Spring weather has reduced our crop by about a third…

Vintage was late this year – about three weeks later than normal, and we were extremely worried the Autumn rains might set in before our precious crop was picked.  But the Weather Gods were kind and sent us an amazing Indian Summer … just the ticket for developing dense flavours and physiological ripeness.

… and now it’s raining – we’ve been so lucky!

We will be Open for Tasting

this EASTER WEEKEND

Saturday, 7 April – Monday, 9 April, daily from 1pm to 5pm

Fabulous wines and fantastic Wine Specials will be waiting for you!

Hope you can make it, cheers Daniel & Ursula Schwarzenbach

]]> http://www.blackenbrook.co.nz/2012/04/07/blackenbrook-winery-open-for-tasting-this-easter-weekend-2.html/feed 0 http://www.blackenbrook.co.nz/2012/03/24/marchfest-nelsons-beer-flavoured-festival-a-celebration-of-music-food-fun-and-of-course-proper-beer.html http://www.blackenbrook.co.nz/2012/03/24/marchfest-nelsons-beer-flavoured-festival-a-celebration-of-music-food-fun-and-of-course-proper-beer.html#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:00:29 +0000 ursula http://www.blackenbrook.co.nz/?p=1751 The Craft Brewing Revolution continues. . . and Blackenbrook is proud to once again be on board as the Principle Wine Sponsor.

MarchFest celebrates the top of the South Island’s status as New Zealand’s premier hop growing and craft beer brewing region.

Held at Founders Heritage Park, MarchFest 2012 Festival goers will be served 13 local craft beers and ciders, delicious Blackenbrook wines, regional cuisine, heaps of FREE kids’ activities, and live music by Alabama 3, John Cooper Clarke, Drab Doo-Riffs and the Immigrants.

Tickets are on sale now: $25/adult until 29 February, after that $35 – under-18s FREE (must be accompanied by parent/guardian).

For more info click here.

Blackenbrook is  proud to once again act as the Principal Wine Sponsor for this fantastic event.

The Festival will feature columnist and travel writer Joe Bennett,  three times Quantas Media Awards Columnist of the year; Wellington writer Jenny Pattrick; Vanda Symon, author of the Sam Shepherd detective fiction series; David Young; Craig Smith and Mapua’s very own children’s author, illustrator and artist Melanie Drewery.

Mapua Bowling Club / Mapua Boat-Clubhouse / Mapua Community Library

23 – 25 March 2012

For more info click here

Our latest Newsletter has just found its way into many a Mailbox around the Country and indeed around the Globe.

Hot topics include a brief run-down of this year’s challenging weather conditions, a glowing review for our Gewurztraminer 2009 by Bob Campbell MW, our exciting New Releases Reserve Pinot Noir 2010 and Montepulciano 2010 … and of course some Wine Specials too tempting to resist!

Read our Autumn Newsletter here.

Warm Regards & Enjoy

Daniel & Ursula Schwarzenbach

I love the power and flavour persistence of this characterful wine.

Bob Campbell MW

Wow, how amazing to see our Gewürztraminer on Spot No 4 of  Bob Campbell’s Top 10 New Zealand Gewürztraminers, published in the March issue of Taste Magazine!

Bob Campbell rates New Zealand as the world’s second-best Gewürztraminer provenance, trailing only the famous Alsace-Region in France!

What a remarkable statement – who knows, Gewürztraminer might become the hip New Zealand wine of the future?

Hi Daniel and Ursula

Today I ordered a dozen of your Reserve Chardonnay 2009 and I wanted to tell you why…

I tasted it for the first time last week and I thought it was the nicest chardonnay I have ever tasted!

Simply savouring the aroma before drinking was a pleasure; tasting it for the first time was a very special experience.

Peter Jones toasting to our Chardonnay Harvest 2009

Your description includes the term “sizzled butter”; this is absolutely spot on!

Obviously part of the enjoyment I get from your wine is personal taste – I like the buttery style. But you have done it so well![…]

This is the first time I have thought a chardonnay to be so good it cannot be improved.  But in saying that, I do hope future vintages are even better…

Thank you for the pleasure you have given me with your beautiful wine, and I am looking forward to receiving delivery of my order.

Warm Regards
Alan Gordon, Nelson

Wow, thanks Alan, you made our day!

Hope you are fluent in Japanese, so you can enjoy it here.