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December 2020

Farewell - 21 Dec 20

Domain Road Vineyard - Farewell - <p>Fiona inspecting the Sauvignon Blanc</p>

Fiona inspecting the Sauvignon Blanc

The beginning of 2021 will see a significant change for us as our Vineyard Manager Fiona Johnman is leaving at the end of this year. Fiona has been with us since 2013 but sadly is having to take a break from vineyard work for health reasons.  

Fiona came to New Zealand from Scotland in 2004 on a International Student Visa quite specifically to study viticulture.  She completed the two year diploma in viticulture through the Otago Polytech in 2005, gaining practical experience at the same time working for Olssen's Garden Vineyard and Felton Road, two of the oldest vineyards in Central Otago. On graduating Fiona worked for Felton Road for a year before being appointed as Vineyard Manager at Zebra, a vineyard in Bendigo.  

In the time that she has been with us Fiona has worked closely with Graeme and Gillian, ensuring that the vineyard is managed sustainably.  With an eye for detail and a thoughtful approach to vine management Fiona has dedicated both time and energy to ensuring that the vines produce their best fruit.  As anyone in the industry knows managing a vineyard can be a challenge at times but good vine management, from pruning to harvest, is an essential aspect of producing award winning wines. Fiona is a perfectionist, a good trait in a viticulturist, and shares our desire for perfection. 

A woman for all seasons - harvest, canopy management in summer and winter pruning......

After Christmas Domain Road Vineyard will become even more of a 'family business' as Steven, Graeme and Gillian's son, will be taking over the vineyard management role. Steven has worked in vineyards both here and overseas as well as having spells in a number of wineries. Most recently he has been Assistant Vineyard Manager at Te Kano Estate here in Central Otago.  With his arrival Domain Road moves into its 'second generation' following in the tradition of many established family estates. 

Posted by: Jennie @ 15:31:38 - View comments (0)   Add a comment   |   Share on Facebook   |   Tweet this

New releases - 2 Dec 20

Domain Road Vineyard - New releases - <p></p>

Hot off the press(well not literally as the fruit would have been pressed some time ago!):  Just in time for summer we have released new vintages of two of our more popular white wines.  We now have available the first of the wines from the 2020 vintage - the 2020 Defiance Pinot Gris is following in the footsteps of its predecessors in being an off-dry wine, with luscious fruit on the nose and palate. A great wine to take to friends as it is invariably popular.

We have also just released the 2019 Defiance Chardonnay - bottled in April this has had the benefit of some bottle ageing. A lightly oaked wine, with the creaminess of texture that comes with malolactic fermentation, fragrant on the nose and fresh and fruity on the palate, drunk lightly chilled it goes perfectly with summertime food.  

Both of these wines are available to taste at our Cellar Door on Felton Road. So if you are coming to Central Otago in the coming months, then do call in and try these and some of the other wines that we produce from our Domain Road and Defiance Vineyards.  

If you have never tried 'Symposium' our late harvest Sauvignon Blanc  - then this is a 'must do' experience!

It also makes a great Christmas present if you a friend with a sweet tooth!!  

Posted by: Jennie @ 14:47:53 - View comments (0)   Add a comment   |   Share on Facebook   |   Tweet this