American Pale Ale - citrus, tropical, floral & pine notes from the hops with a light biscuity malt profile.

The Expatriate is an American Pale Ale leaving the homeland in an exploration of something more.  It had no idea it would find New Zealand but the hops were too good to pass up. An alliance of US and NZ hops are sure to enlist your palate for a second round.

5.6% ALC./VOL.

DANKENSTEIN
TERPENE
IPA
5.9%

It’s time to turn on, tune in and take a sip of this sweet leaf elixir, a crushingly delicious IPA with passionfruit, strawberry, citrus and white grape notes from the Mosaic Cryo, Strata CGX and Nelson Sauvin hops we’ve added to this brew.

The aromatics reach the next dimension with the addition of ‘Maui Wowie’ Terpene Oil from our pals at Medleaf, which bring layered notes of sweet pineapple, mango and tropical fruit to the party - get loud!

Savitar is one of the great Shirazes from McLaren Vale, made with grapes grown on the Lopresti Vineyard's Chinese Block, located at the south end of McLaren Vale, about four kilometres east of the coastal town of Port Willunga. The vines struggle here, producing low yields of fruit with tiny berries which are full of black fruit flavours with dried herb, black olives and an earthy structure of dark smokiness, making this a power packed wine. 

It's named after a mythological dragon like creature, in homage to this wine's bold flavours and powerful length. It's an impressive wine for now and will undoubtedly age for the long haul - think a decade at least. 

The winemaking

Grapes for Savitar Shiraz are selected by hand from the Lopresti Vineyard in McLaren Vale, a site where they struggle and deliver in small volumes. This is regarded as outstanding raw material. They are fermented and the wine pressed before being transferred to oak barrels where it remains on light lees for 18 months before blending. 

Fiano's established home is Campania in Southwest Italy, where great examples
are revered for style somewhere between a stunning Chardonnay and a dry
Riesling. Compared to other grapes, it is low-yielding and thus often overlooked by
commercial wineries. However it is well worth the work, showing delicate floral and
spice aromas that mellow and honey over time, giving way to great texture and impressive acidity.

This noble variety seems to have found its home at the stunning Howell Family vineyard, off Maraekakaho Road in Bridge Pa – one of a handful of Fiano plantings in New Zealand.
White floral, stonefruit, lemon zest and hint of brioche on the nose. On the palate these flavours merge with a touch of marmalade and cedar. A rich, textured, ripe wine with a zesty fresh finish. 900 bottle made.

BLANC DE HOUBLON - BELGIAN HAZY
This week we have a new batch of Blanc de Houblon coming out with a new look. We have labelled it 'Belgian Hazy'. A fruity blend of NZ hops meets a three strain Belgian yeast blend. The result is delicious.

North End - French winemakers use the world 'terroir' to describe the influence of the local environment on the wines that they make.  We have helped add a big dose of 'terroir' into this beer by taking our Saison and re-fermenting it in barres with a blend of wild yeasts from Waikanae.  The result is tangy, lightly tart and extremely fruity.

6.5% ABV.

Drinking like a tropical fruit smoothie on clouds of oats and wheat, this beer is bursting with juicy aromatics of white wine, crushed gooseberries, passionfruit and peach aromatics from the fresh-picked Nelson Sauvin hops. Fresh Hop season happens only once each year, so we went all out on this dreamy hazy double IPA - to the stars and back bb!

7.5%ABV

Bodegas Roda is completely new to New Zealand this year, 2023, and is also a fabulously modern expression of traditional Spanish grape varieties which express themselves in bold red fruit flavours here with the support structure of firm smooth tannins, spicy complex aromas and depth. The blend is 94% Tempranillo,  4% Garnacha and 2% Graciano, all grown on bush vines between 15 to 30 years of age.
Fermentation and ageing was in large French oak vats for 12 months. Stabilisation was natural with egg white used for fining. 

This is a great wine from relatively youthful vines in Spanish terms. It drinks well now and has fabulous structure to age further.

All the grapes from this wine are from our Dry River Estate vineyard, with the majority from our first planted vines in 1979. These are dry-grown vines yielding very small bunches and berries. The idea is for this wine to transcend varietal archetype, where the wine is the wine, standing outside its category.
We want to bring you a distinctive Dry River expression of Pinot Gris. The wine is perfect to enjoy young with food, but will further improve over the next five years.
Wet stone, mineral notes and riper characters of kiwi fruit, pears and stone fruit greet the nose. Further complexity is driven by long maturation on lees in old oak barrels, bringing out cashew nuts and a touch of cream and vanilla. The palate is seamless with transparent tannins and densely-packed fruit that brings the focus to middle and finishes effortlessly.

2024 - Bright and fragrant, this Pinot Gris opens with vibrant notes of orange zest, warm apricot, and a whisper of ginger, layered with delicate green melon and soft pear. A subtle floral lift, reminiscent of wildflowers, enhances the bouquet. On the
palate, rich, pastry-like phenolics create depth and texture, evoking the comforting warmth of a crackling fire. A touch of residual sugar lends a silk-like smoothness, while hints of popcorn and brown sugar add contrast and structure to its opulent breadth. The finish is indulgent and lingering, leaving an irresistible, moreish allure.

Darling in name and in taste, this Marlborough Pinot Gris is made from certified organic grapes grown in Rapaura in Marlborough.

It's light bodied, off dry and tastes of fresh pears and white peach, offering a lovely easy white wine for newcomers to wine and for those who enjoy soft, smooth styles. 

 Hendrick's Lunar is a delightfully smooth and alluring gin that is rich with night blooming floral essence, offering a delicate balance of warm baked spices, and finished with a crisp burst of citrus. LUNAR is best enjoyed during casual nights at home and is a curious companion for sundowners and starry nights with friends. 

Orbium is a reimagining of Hendrick's Gin by our Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie. Instilled with additional extracts of quinine, wormwood and blue lotus blossom, the result is an oddly exquisite gin that sits roundly on the palate.

This great white is made from one of Italy’s oldest known white grape varieties – and undoubtedly one of its best, Verdicchio. This grape originates either in the Marché region on central Italy’s east coast or it comes from the Veneto region in the north. It’s found in both regions but goes under different names in each (as Verdicchio or as Trebbiano). Those details aside, Verdicchio makes wines with intense lemon flavours, a medium to full body and lingering finish, due to its relatively high acidity. The best Verdicchio can age well for up to a decade.

Garofoli’s Podium shows another side to Italian wine; it’s a complex dry white for drinking now and can also undoubtedly age well. Try it. 

This exquisitely extravagant expression boasts a rich ensemble of bright flavours that seduce the senses. It seems that stone fruit flavours, rose scents and gin were a magical combination in the most opulent of establishments in Paris at the turn of the 20th Century, and eaux de vies, peach schnapps, cherry liqueurs and the like were the 'in thing' for those who had the means to celebrate in spectacular style.

Hendrick's Master Distiller, alchemist and liquid poet Lesley Gracie has deftly combined these flavours into a ravishingly fruity spirit, where pirouettes of decadent stone fruit share the stage with sweet herbs and make for an elegant sensory feast that is deliciously indulgent and yet as light as silk.

This is a bright, bold gin that has a rich depth and layers of flavour and yet is still refreshing and light - it’s ideal in a Hendrick's Grand Cabaret and Tonic. If you want to be a little more fancy, the Hendrick's Grand Cabaret Royale is an indulgent way to toast tantalising celebrations and combines Hendrick's Grand Cabaret, cranberry, lime and a touch of sugar syrup which is topped with Champagne or sparkling wine for added decadence.