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NEWSLETTER

Winter 2011.

In 1988 when we made the decision to buy the land on Felton Road we believed that the north facing slopes on the schist soils would help with air flow, thus providing protection from the frost. We also knew that all the best vineyards in Europe were on slopes, facing the sun, but that was really all we knew about growing grapes.  In fact back then, very little was known about viticulture in the region, so we planted many different varieties, which to this day provide excellent fruit for wine that goes some way to meeting the demands of our markets and the many tourists who visit us each year. The journey over the past 21 years has been challenging but we still love what we do. Along the way we have had many great people working for us, fantastic support from loyal customers, wine buyers, oenologists, our various agents and other vineyard owners and friends.

As the vines age, each vintage sees improvement in the wines and we believe the 2009 pinots are the best we have ever made. The continuing success of the Slapjack Creek Pinot Noir also gives us immense confidence in what we are doing.  

The winery team have been very busy with harvest and now have the wines resting in barrel and tank. Central Otago is definitely on the map as a place for cellar hands wanting to make pinot noir. This vintage we had Novelle from USA, Mickael and Nicolas from France, Troy a Kiwi living in the USA and Sue from Nelson. This mix of nationalities brought together different cultures and new ideas to the winery, as well as some interesting foods.

Congratulations to Trevor Fowler from Wanganui - the lucky winner of our Millbrook competition. He will be flying with Air NZ to Queenstown to spend 2 nights at the wonderful Millbrook Golf Resort in Queenstown.

 Enjoy the winter months, keep well and warm

Cheers Heather, John and the team.

IN THE CELLAR

2010 Sauvignon Blanc

This vintage shows more of the classic Sauvignon Blanc characters of capsicum and gooseberry but it still has the hallmark Central Otago SB “tropical” flavours of pineapple and lychee.  The wine is vibrant and zesty and is best enjoyed young and fresh.  

2009 Riesling Dry

A typical Central Otago nose of honeysuckle flowers and melon with notes of apple, honey and lime zest on the palate.  The racy acidity is balanced with a touch of residual sugar which lends to a broad mid-palate and a crisp and lingering finish.

2010 Annieburn Riesling

The wine has scents of Meyer lemons and nectarines.  The mouth-watering palate is laden with flavours of late season peaches and balanced by notes of freshly juiced limes.  This medium/sweet style has a natural sweetness that is precisely balanced by ripe acidity and with a generous length and fleshy texture. 

Awards - 2010 AirNZ WineAwards Bronze Medal

2009 Gewurztraminer

Essence of rose petals, lavender oil, and grated fresh ginger dusted with icing sugar dominate the nose. The palate is long and lush with flavours of tropical fruits, candied ginger and a hint of green tea aromas.  The wine finishes clean and crisp with lingering spice and balanced acidity.

2009 Bannockburn Club [unoaked] Chardonnay

This wine was designed to be crisp and refreshing. On the nose there are hints of orange blossom, mango and butterscotch. The palate has flavours of juicy melon and a lime zest finish.

2009 Charcoal Joe Chardonnay

The nose is of grapefruit, lychee and golden wheat, followed by a palate full of pineapple, honey and lemon-drops. Lees stirring has given the wine great texture whilst the acidity gives a precise and lingering finish.

Awards - 2010 Bragato Bronze Medal, Winestate  3 1/2 stars,  2010 Air NZ Wine Awards Bronze Medal

2010 Nipple Hill Pinot Noir

The nose is full of cherries and blueberries with some subtle minty notes.  The cherries carry through to the palate with a wine of great fruit weight, fresh acidity and smooth tannins.  

2009 Jackson Barry Pinot Noir

This youthful wine has a deep ruby colour with a nose of cassis and a subtle garrigue undertone of lavender and thyme. The palate is densely packed with flavours of dark cherries and plums.  Well integrated oak adds structure with a spicy nuance whilst also amplifying the fruit character.

Awards - 2010 Bragato  Silver Medal, 2010 NZ International Wine Show Gold Medal, 2010 Bob Campbell 4stars, 2011 Royal Easter Show Silver Medal 

2009 Slapjack Creek Pinot Noir

This complexly layered wine has a deep ruby red colour with a nose of blackberries and violets with a richly perfumed undertone.  The palate is densely packed with flavours of dark cherries and plums with hints of clove spice. The elegant fruit notes are supported by well integrated oak adding muscle and rusticity to the wine.  The silky tannins linger in the mouth whilst the salivating acidity gives the wine a juicy long finish.  This barrel selection was blended with cellaring in mind and will benefit from decanting if enjoyed in the first three years.

Awards - 2010 NZ International Wine Show Gold Medal, 2010 Air NZ Wine Awards Pure Elite Gold & Kapiti Champion Exhibition Red Wine Trophy

2009 Robert the Bruce

A blend of Pinotage, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon shines though in this wine, with hints of blackberry and cassis with a smooth, round finish.

Awards 2010  Winestate  4 stars

WINTER SPECIALS

TIME FOR RED :

2 of 2010 Nipple Hill, 2009 Jackson Barry & Robert The Bruce

6 pack -    Normally $200 now $140    

12 pack – Normally $400 now $260

WINTER WHITE :

2 of 2009 Gewurztraminer, 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, & Annieburn Riesling

6 pack -    Normally $158 now $110   

12 pack – Normally $316 now $200

Our normal retail discounts (excluding specials) apply

5% on a 1 case order

7% on a 2 case order

10% on a 3 case order

ORDERS OF 36 BOTTLES OR MORE ARE FREIGHT FREE.

FREIGHT: North Island - $15.00. South Island - $12.00 per case

Click HERE to order

OLSSENS CAFÉ  - Visitors are always welcome to bring their own food and beverages, including wine, but Café style food and platters are available throughout the summer period and by arrangement at other times.

"We simply want people to enjoy themselves in our garden environment. We're in the business of giving people enjoyable experiences, and if they want to bring their own food and wine, we really don't mind, because for those that do, they'll go away and tell their friends that they had a great time at Olssens. And that's what we're about."

At Olssen's Garden Vineyard visitors are encouraged to walk amongst trees, picnic by a pond, sit under an umbrella or a tree, play petanque with a glass of wine to hand, or quoits, partake of a vineyard platter or cheese board, or simply taste the wines. The vineyard caters for young children too, and baskets of toys are available. Visitors are invited to bring their own picnic, enjoy one of Heather's vineyard platters, or a cheese board.

EVENTS AT OLSSENS
The Olssens have developed a number of vineyard events offering patrons the opportunity to enjoy themselves.

The Scarecrow Gathering was the last Sunday in November each year, and schools, businesses and individuals competed for prizes and had a fun day out, not that the scarecrows actually scare anything.

Sculpture in Central Otago, held annually at Labour Weekend, in its 4th year, this has become the pre eminent southern sculpture exhibition and sale. Curated by our friends at "the Arthouse" [62 Worcester St, Christchurch] the 25 invited, leading NZ artists, showed off 45 works for patrons enjoyment and acquisition. It began on Saturday afternoon [4:00-6:00pm] with a Grand Opening - where 90+ guests enjoy wonderful food and wine with live music and got to inspect the works and make the early purchases. This was followed by two days [Sunday & Monday] of public viewing and purchases.

The Barrel Party, held periodically, is for serious wine and fun lovers. A bus brings patrons from Cromwell to a marquee on the vineyard where a meal, music and barrels of Pinot and Chardonnay are tapped for the enjoyment of guests.

Music in the Vines is a mid summer event where artists entertain guests who picnic and relax whilst enjoying the entertainment. The first event this year was The Topp Twins on 5th January 2011. 1200 people had a wonderful time.

The next event was the MoreFM Winery Tour with Brook Fraser, OpShop and Midnight Youth on Tuesday 1st March 2011

Some 1,800 guests had a wonderful time and enjoyed a great gig. Peopel brought picnics and a rug and enjoyed the music and the ambience.

The 2012 event is set for 21st February - Full details of artists, times etc will be announced in October 2011 - so, watch this space!

Private Functions are held by many people who choose the ambience of the vineyard for their wedding or anniversary celebration and Heather goes out of her way to ensure that everything is perfect, no matter what the occasion.

THE BANNOCKBURN CLUB
Members receive a joining gift of a bottle of Bannockburn Club Chardonnay and a small jar of Chardonnay mustard. You then go in an annual draw for a [free] mixed case of Olssen's premium wines and each year you [and 3 others] are entitled to enjoy a barrel tasting of the current Pinot Noir with our winemaker, simply by making an appointment.. As a member of this club you will automatically receive a single bottle of each of our new wines, as they are released, and secure a 5% discount on these wines and a 10% discount on all other wine purchases you might subsequently make.
This is a simple and certain way of receiving a bottle of everything we make, and we spread it over the year for you in 4 easy installments - which means that the cost is very manageable and Xmas comes an extra 4 times each year.

You get to try each wine in your own home and can decide whether you want to buy more, at a discount, before it runs out.

You also get to experience [free of charge] for yourself and 3 others, a barrel sampling of current vintage Pinot Noirs with our winemaker - simply ring the vineyard or winery to arrange a time.

Please contact us for an application form to join or [click here] to join online now.