LOCAL NEWSWairarapa Winemakers among the trophies at 2009 Romeo Bragato awards. Click here to read more. |
WineriesWairarapa Wines represents a collective of wineries from throughout the Wairarapa Valley from Featherston to North of Masterton with 22 active Wairarapa and associated members. Click here to read more. |
Matahiwi Estate 'Winemaker for a Day' Lunch - Sunday 22/8/10On arrival you will be seated in the state of the art Matahiwi Estate winery for a presentation by award winning wine maker Jane Cooper. After the introductory tutorial each guest will then have the opportunity to blend your own wine and at the end of the day get to take a bottle of their very own blend home with them. A two course food and wine matched lunch prepared by Kent Baddeley, formerly from Wellington and now based at Martinborough's Parehua Estate, will be served during the afternoon and other winemakers from the Masterton wine growing region will join the group to introduce a tasting of their wines.
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About the Region
Home to the very first grapes planted in the region a century ago, the Masterton Plains open to big skies and sweeping vistas below the Tararua Ranges. Early Wairarapa settlers established large-scale farming dynasties, prominent among them the pioneering grape-growing Beethams. Family-owned properties are the backbone of this young wine landscape, possibly the harshest of the regionʼs climatic variations. Flavoursome sauvignon blanc thrives in this bold open environment, as does the capricious pinot noir.
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The moody mass of the towering Tararua Ranges dominates the valley. Early morning frosts sweep from snow-capped peaks across bare wintry vines, followed by crisp sunny days. Summer days can be scorching. This is the diurnal range in action – that essential contrast between cold nights and warm days that slowly builds flavour in grapes, note by complex note.
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