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Celebrating with Wine

 We have operated a winery cellar door for some 15 years now so we have had plenty of opportunity to experience how people from other wine producing countries and regions take pride in and celebrate their locally produced wines. Some are so imbued with the virtues of where they come from that they overflow with their own stories and seem less interested in understanding the wine culture of the region they are visiting. But that’s OK – we understand.

We also have plenty of locals, and this includes Aucklanders, who take pride in our region and bring their visiting friends to the Matakana wineries to “show off” the Matakana wine culture, as part of celebrating everything else which is so good about the “Puhoi to Pakiri” region. As we approach the season for celebration and relaxation we look forward to a substantial lift in visits from locals and out-of-towners alike.

There will also be a substantial lift in celebrations involving food and wine – Christmas, New Year, summer parties and barbecues etc. During this time many people will seek out the wines of Matakana producers both to give as gifts and to accompany their own food and wine celebrations. It is gratifying from a business point of view of course, but also humbling, in a sense, to be able to contribute in this way to the pleasure and relaxation which people experience at this time of year.

When you seek a locally-grown wine you are buying a product of this special place – of this “terroir”, something to be enjoyed both for its local provenance and for the pleasure the wine itself gives. The members of Matakana Winegrowers all trust that this sense of location which gives the wines we craft a little je ne sais quoi – something extra, will help to ensure they are enjoyed in moderation. 

Can we also take this opportunity to wish you all a relaxed Christmas, New Year and summer, and hope that 2012 brings you prosperity, good health and happiness.

December 2011

Christmas is upon us again…..

 …bringing with it lots of opportunities for celebration and good times, and of course gift-giving. If your gift creativity needs a little support we can suggest a number of possibilities.

First, wine. You can check our wines for information about current vintages of each of our wines, but in addition to this, we have some aged red wines which would make a very special gift for a wine lover. Both 2004 and 2005 were excellent years for our Bordeaux reds – probably the best yet, although 2010 will give them a good run for their money in due course. So we have stocks of both Dark Summit 2004 and 2005 and Mahurangi 2004 and 2005 available. The Dark Summits are both dominated by cabernet sauvignon with goodly portions of carmenère and smaller supporting roles played by cabernet franc, merlot and malbec. Superb. Both $55.

The 2004 Mahurangi is also cabernet-dominant but has more franc and malbec and less carmenère. The 2005 by comparison is merlot-dominant with a good portion of cabernet and smaller amounts of franc and malbec. Neither of these wines is significantly shaded by the Dark Summits despite the price difference. Both gorgeous, both $44.

For an even older Dark Summit, we have small stocks of the 2002 – another excellent vintage. This is a full, lush and opulent wine, so rich that it is almost porty in character, and not showing any of the austerity sometimes associated with cabernet. Clearly 2002 was a long and hot summer. $49.

We also have stocks of the 2007 K Syrah – our first vintage of this wine and drinking beautifully now. $49.

For something a bit different and very rare we have some 2007 Carmenère available. Blind taste this with any wine aficionado and they will have a task working out what it is. $32 – same price as the current vintage, 2008.

The great thing about giving locally-grown wine as a gift is that you are giving a product of this special place, of this “terroir”, something to be enjoyed both for its local provenance and for the pleasure the wine itself gives. And giving carefully cellared and aged wines is just that little bit extra special.

 Email us if you are interested in ordering any older vintages or to arrange gift packs for corporate gifts. 

Thank you for your custom over the past year and we hope to see you in the New Year.  Meantime, best wishes for Christmas and the holiday season.

November 2011

SPRING RELEASES

We have recently released two wines – Vin Gris 2010 and Grand’mère 2010.

The Vin Gris as always is made entirely from red grapes, using the “saignee” method to separate the juice from the skins. The 2010 vintage comprises syrah grapes mostly, with some cabernet sauvignon and malbec. This is a delicate salmon pink dry rose with an aroma of strawberries and nutmeg, a crisp palate featuring berries and apples, and a spicy finish. Beautifully matched with a goat’s cheese salad or an antipasti platter.

The 2010 Grand’mère is a variation on its 2008 predecessor as this one has been made from pinot gris grapes rather than chardonnay, and the result is very pleasing. If you liked our 2008 Grand’mère you will probably enjoy this one even more. Moderately sweet (rather than syrupy sweet), this wine makes a beautifully refreshing aperitif or as an after dinner treat served with a cheeseboard.

If you are visiting the exciting new Wynyard Quarter on the Auckland waterfront, make sure to take a look at the intriguing wine experience at Big Picture Wines.

Ransom Clos de Valerie Pinot Gris and Ransom Carmenère are both in the new winetasting line-up.

RANSOM WINES

WINNERS "OUTSTANDING WINERY EXPERIENCE" MANAAKITANGA AWARDS 2010

Thank you to all of you who voted for us in the recent Manaakitanga Awards, the Rodney District's Hospitality and Tourism Awards. This is what was said about us -

• Ransom Wines beat tough competition in this category with its fresh, well presented, tasty food, and friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
• The staff knew where everything they served came from, from the olive oil to the wines, and excelled in service.
• When visiting this winery you get a clear sense of the "Ransom Experience" at all times.