Episode 43 - Matt Kirby

Vintage Stories - Episode 43 - Matt Kirby

Winemaker Matt Kirby has been making interesting and progressive wines since his days as a young winemaker in Australia.  Clearview Estate in Hawkes Bay has always been a revered brand.  And since Matt's move to become winemaker at Clearview Estate in TeAwanga they have been on a string of award winning wines and critical praise.  While keeping with some of their traditional success he is also pushing the boundries there with new styles and varietal expressions.

Episode 42 - Dr. Mark Krasnow

Daniel with Dr. Mark Krasnow on Bridge Pa Triangle

Mark Krasnow is a doctor of viticulture from the United States.  He came to New Zealand in 2010 to lecture at the Eastern Institute of Technology.  He returned in 2015 to begin his consulting firm, Thoughtful Viticulture, for vineyard management and more specifically water stressing vines, aiming to get his clients' vineyards as close to dry farming as possible.  With water usage such a hot topic these days in New Zealand, Mark finds himself in the center of a very heated debate.  Mark is a former associate proffesor at Univerity of California at Davis and the Culinary Institute of America.  He is also co-owner of the Crazy Bay Beer company whose brews can be found around Hawkes Bay and beyond.  

Episode 41 - Hayden Penny

Vintage Stories - Episode 41 - Hayden Penny

Hayden Penny is a talented NZ winemaker who has made wine all over the world.  His passion for organic farming and winegrowing has found him at the forefront of progressive winemaking.  He is the winemaker and viticulturist for 'The Supernatural' and a range of wines that push the envelope in style and innovation while also giving a shout back to classic techniques.  He is also involved in the winemaking for many of Ant McKenzie's wines as well as Askerne Winery.  

Vintage Stories - Episode 32 - Kim McPherson

With all that was going on in Texas these days and my recent trip through the USA, I thought it was time to release this 'lost episode'.  This one is from the archives.  The never released, elusive Episode 32!!! Kim McPherson makes wine in Lubbock, TX, the home of Buddy Holly.  His wines have gained international recognition as not only some of the best come out of Texas, but the entire US.  His focus is on Rhone Varietals and what he feels works best for viticulture in that part of the country.  He is a unique character and Daniel tracked him down at his tasting room in Texas for a long chat.   Special thanks to Mike Verratti for helping produce this episode.

Vintage Stories - Episode 40 - Jenny Dobson

Jenny Dobson

Our Gimblett Gravels series wraps up with none other than 'The Queen or Reds' Jenny Dobson. If you take a look at some of the best Gimblett Gravels wines ever released, a significant percentage have had Jenny's hand involved. Her work at Sacred Hill, and with Squawking Magpie, Unison Vineyard and William Murdoch have her entrenched in this special appellation. Jenny is also a mentor and educator at heart having started in the late 70s with Steven Spourier in Paris until now, where she continues to educate, from consumers to young winemakers.

This episode is sponsored by the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing Region. Please visit www.gimblettgravels.com and check out their Annual Vintage Selection.
We're also sponsored by www.decibelwines.com Use the promocode 'DBPODCAST' and receive 10% off your first order.

Vintage Stories - Episode 39 - Richard Painter

Richard Painter is the cheif winemaker at TeAwa Estate Winery, whose vineyards stretch over the Gimblett Gravels and the Bridge Pa Triangle appellations.  As the parent company Villa Maria is building their brand new Hawkes Bay Winery on the same site, Richard has found himself in the centre of the Hawkes Bay Wine scene.
This episode is sponsored by the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing Region.  Please visit www.gimblettgravels.com and check out their Annual Vintage Selection.
We're also sponsored by www.decibelwines.com Use the promocode 'DBPODCAST' and receive 10% off your first order.  

Vintage Stories - Episode 38 - Gordon Russell

Vintage Stories - Episode 38 - Gordon Russell

It's no surprise Gordon Russell is my first guest to appear on the podcast twice.  Not only is he one of NZ's most respected and unique winemakers, he's also a unique person.  His wines reflect his interest in music, travel and culture.  We had a great conversation about the latest moves within Villa Maria and Esk Valley wineries and his history working with the Gimblett Gravels fruit.  
This episode is sponsored by the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District.  Please visit www.gimblettgravels.com and check out their Annual Vintage Selection.
We're also sponsored by www.decibelwines.com  use the promo code 'DBPODCAST' to receive 10% off your first order

Vintage Stories - Episode 37 - Warren Gibson

Vintage Stories - Episode 37 - Warren Gibson (pictured with wife and partner in wine, Lorraine Leheny)

Warren Gibson has established himself in a unique class of winemakers throughout the world.  His work in the last 20 years at Trinity Hill and with his own brands, Bilancia and La Colina, has been exceptional to say the least.  His knowledge of and experience in Hawkes Bay, the Gimblett Gravels and the wine producing world at large is a unique story that we only scratched the surface of in this interview.  

Today's episode is sponsored by the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District™.  Visit www.gimblettgravels.com to check out the 2015 AVS, a collection of the appellation's best wines from another great vintage in Hawkes Bay.

We're also sponsored by Decibel Wines.  Please visit www.decibelwines.com and use the promo code 'DBPODCAST' to receive 10% off your first order where we ship to places like the USA, the UK, Europe, Australia and of course NZ.

Vintage Stories - Episode 36 - Ollie Powrie

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Ollie Powrie became Company Viticulturist for one of the world's premiere wineries, Villa Maria, after returning to Hawkes Bay in 2006.  His international work, travels and experience through France and Vietnam particularly, inspired him to return to New Zealand and be apart of an exciting time in the industry.  Ollie's passion for growing fine wine grapes has been met with open arms with Villa Maria where they specialise in single vineyard expressions of top quality NZ wine.  His work and experience in the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District™ has been especially gratifying in watching one of the world's most unique appellations become one of the world's most highly regarded.

Today's episode is sponsored by the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District™.  Please visit www.gimblettgravels.com and click on the 'Shop' link to have access to the newly released 2015 Annual Vintage Selection, the best wines of the appellation from a fantastic vintage.

We're also sponsored by www.decibelwines.com Click on the 'shop wines' and go to our store where we ship to the USA, UK, Australia and free throughout NZ.  Use the promo code 'DBPODCAST' to receive 10% off your first order.  #decibelwines #drinkdecibel

Vintage Stories - Episode 35 - Tony Bish

Tony Bish founded one of New Zealand's iconic wine brands with his mates at Sacred Hill.  It's a great story that has led him to now establish his own brand.  His new project is in a unique scope that is like nothing else that has been attempted before in New Zealand.  His focus is on the Chardonnay varietal, with different vineyard sites, treatments and vessels, including the use of patented NZ concrete eggs.  

Tony's wines and more information can be found at www.tonybishwines.co.nz

Vintage Stories - Episode 34 - Rod Easthope

Rod Easthope has made wines for some of the world's top producers in France, Italy, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.  He has recently established his own family brand, Easthope Family Winegrowers with his wife, Emma and their three sons.   The vineyard has been established in a new region along the banks of the Ngaruroro River in the Mangatahi district of Hawkes Bay.

Check them out at easthope.co.nz

This episode is sponsored by our two upcoming FAWC events in Hawkes Bay.  More info can be found on the home page at www.decibelwines.com For all wine purchases use the promo code 'DBPODCAST' to get 10% off your first order.  

Vintage Stories - Episode 33 - Yvonne Lorkin

Yvonne Lorkin is a writer, television host and business owner.  Her weekly column can be found sydicated throughout NZ's major newspaper publications.  Her television show 'Thirsty Work' airs regularly on TV NZ 3 in New Zealand, in the USA on the Travel Channel and can be sourced through her website yvonnelorkin.com 

Yvonne's recent initiative through  winefriend.co.nz aims to match the NZ drinker with some of the country's top wineries by measuring your palate against the plethora of wines her and her team sample each year.  

This episode is sponsored by www.decibelwines.com, now shipping throughout NZ, Australia, the UK and to 49 states in the USA.  Use the promo code 'DBPODCAST' to receive 10% off your first order.  

dB Podcast Episode 31 - Helen Masters - NZ Winemaker - Ata Rangi

After a storied career of producing great wines for producers throughout New Zealand and the United States, Helen Masters finds herself back where it all began at Ata Rangi Martinborough.  At the groundbreaking and legendary NZ winery she is the chief winemaker where they produce some of the world's greatest Pinot Noir.  Her involvement with the Family of Twelve, New Zealand Wine Growers and many other organisations has led her to champion next year's world renown 'Pinot 2017' hosted in Wellington, NZ.  

Download, stream, rate and review on Itunes here 

dB Podcast Episode 30 - Julianne Brogden - NZ Winemaker

Julianne Brogden - Winemaker - Collaboration Wines

dB Podcast Episode 29 - Matt Fox - Viticulturist

Matt Fox was born and raised in Gisborne, New Zealand.  He is a consultant viticulturist and a winemaker.  After studying in New Zealand he has worked in vineyards and wineries throughout New Zealand, Italy, France and California.

dB Podcast Episode 28 - Bryce Edmonds - Winemaker

Bryce Edmonds is a winemaker and his family owns a vineyard in the Bridge Pa Triangle of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.  He produces wines from the family vineyard under his newly formed 'Zaria' label.  He currently works for Beach House Wines in Hawkes Bay.  He has lived, worked and studied throughout New Zealand, California, Czech Republic and Australia.

dB Podcast Episode 27 - Patrick Newton - Winemaker

Patrick Newton is the winemaker for Mudbrick Vineyard on the beautiful Waiheke Island where he lives with his wife and two children.  He was born in Australia and has worked in wineries throughout NZ, Australia, the USA and Europe.

dB Podcast Episode 26 - Greg K. Allinson - Winemaker

Greg Alinson was born in England and is now a winemaker and Twitter phenom in New Zealand.  He has a diverse background and knowledge of the wine industry both in sales and winemaking

dB Podcast Episode 25 - Eric Camera - Winemaker

Eric Camera is a winemaker based in California.  He is on a journey through New Zealand working for the famed Craggy Range Winery.  He stopped by the podcast studios (Daniel's home) to have a chat.

db Podcast Episode 24 - Malcolm Reeves - Winemaker, Scientist of Food and Beverage, NZ Pioneer

Malcolm Reeves has a career spanning five decades in the food and beverage industry.  He is one of the pioneers of New Zealand wine having established its first academic programmes and study.  He established his own winery, Crossroads, which he later sold but not before creating one of New Zealand's iconic red blends, The Talisman.  He has also worked in a variety of food and beverage production and research and is a consultant for a few Chinese Wineries.