In New Zealand wine can be ordered by phone, fax, email, or simply CLICK HERE to place a secure order on line.

Winter 2010

Harvest started early this year and seemed to go on for weeks, with days of yes we will pick, no we won’t or maybe we will - all the time with one eye on the weather forecast, fortunately we got most of the fruit in before the heavy rain came. Overall the crop was smaller than 2009, due to rain at flowering and cooler weather in January but the quality was good. Unfortunately the rain with some warmer days resulted in the Chardonnay developing powdery mildew, so we decided not to pick the crop. We could have gone through and slowly cut off the affected grapes but the cost would out-weigh the volume of fruit that we could have harvested. The end result is 20% less grapes (less wine to sell) at a higher cost pre tonne to produce.   In the current economy one cannot just charge more per bottle to recoup the losses, as there is still a serious over supply of grapes out of Australia and Marlborough putting pressure on wine prices.

On the brighter side is our new extension to the winery, which has created much more space and improved the processing area, Jen and Jody are doing a good job on the 2010 vintages and we expect some great wines in 2011.

WINTER  &  6  REASONS TO ENJOY A BOTTLE OF OLSSENS

Have friends round for a pot-luck Sunday lunch

Play a board game

Watch a favourite old movie

Read a book by the fire

It’s time to reflect on life’s good things

You really enjoyed the last bottle

Cheers Heather, John and the team.     

NEW RELEASES

2009 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.

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 casis with a smooth, round finish.  It is easy drinking, yet with a richness that will pair nicely with Sunday roast as well as burgers and pizza.

IN THE CELLAR

2009 Sauvignon Blanc                                                          

Kiwi fruit, capsicum and hints of gooseberry on the nose lead into a palate displaying juicy lime, passion fruit and hints of feijoa. The wine has a powerful, refreshing finish that evolves in the glass.   Enjoy as a refreshing drink on its own or pair with fresh goat’s cheese, shellfish or simply prepared summer salads.

2009 Riesling Dry

This wine has 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.

2008 Riesling                                                            

This dry style Riesling shows complex aromas of mandarin, pear and pineapple on the nose. The body has crisp citrus flavours, offset with spice and good length of finish. A wine that should age well and see additional aging characters develop in the bottle.  Very much a food wine, try it with creamy pasta, chicken, fish or even cheese.

2008 Gewurztraminer

Rose petal, Lychee and spice aromatics dominate the nose. The aromatics flow into the mid palate and are supported by a lovely almost “oily” texture. The wine is long in the mouth and finishes with lingering spice and balanced acidity.

AWARDS 2010 Royal Easter Show: Bronze Medal

2009 Bannockburn Club unoaked Chardonnay

This wine was designed to be crisp and refreshing with subtle layers of complexity. On the nose there are hints of orange blossom, mango and butterscotch. The palate delivers flavours of juicy melon, nutty spice and a lime zest finish.

2009 Nipple Hill – Pinot Noir

This elegant, fruity wine is full of ripe berry flavours with light tannins and defining acidity. A food friendly Pinot Noir that will please wine enthusiasts with an eye for a great value. 

2008 Jackson Barry – Pinot Noir                                       

The wine has a bright garnet hue with a nose of crushed raspberries and wild mushrooms. The palate shows a broad fruit spectrum ranging from boysenberry to fig which is accentuated by spicy hints of nutmeg and crushed black peppercorns.  With chalky tannins, and balanced oak, the wine has a generous mouth-feel and a lingering savoury finish.

AWARDS  2008  Bragato – Silver Medal, 2009 Air New Zealand – Pure Bronze, 2010 Royal Easter Show – Silver Medal.

2008 Robert the Bruce

A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage. The wine has a rich nose of cassis and violets supported by notes of leather and toasty caramel. The palate is balanced with savoury flavours of mushroom and black pepper accentuated by hints of blackberries and Doris plums. The wine is drinking well now and will also benefit from aging.

WINE SPECIALS:

Winter White Pack

2  - 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Gewurztraminer & 2008 Riesling

6 Pack - Normally $144.00 now only $115.20 – 20% OFF

12 Pack - Normally $288.00 now only $216.00 – 25% OFF

Warm Fireside Pack

2  – Nipple Hill 2009, 2008 Jackson Barry & 2008 Robert the Bruce

6 Pack - Normally $188.00 NOW ONLY $150.40 – 20% OFF

12 Pack – Normally $376.00 NOW ONLY $282.00 – 25% OFF

Jackson Barry 2008

6 Pack -Normally $252.00 now only $201.60  – 20% OFF

12 Pack – Normally $504.00 NOW ONLY $378.00 – 25% OFF

Some recent comments from the wine writers.

Tom Logan Pinot Gris 2009:

No varietal shyness here: This Bannockburn wine shouts Pinot Gris. Lovely nashi pear, spice and slightly honeyed notes bathe the taste buds and a caressing texture gives the impression it’s in no great rush. A wine to enjoy with company, alongside anchovy bruschetta  4 Stars Cuisine

Gewurztraminer 2008

Subtle flavours of rose petal / pot pourri but with a drop dead silken texture and quite lengthly finish. Very pure, mellow wine in a medium / dry style. A terrific example of subtle power. Bob Campbell wine writer

The well established and reliable wine producers such as Olssens, continue to improve their outstanding wines with added complexity, harmony and expansive mouthfeel . Tasting their glorious 2007 Jackson Barry a luscisous pinot showing rich blackberry and cherry flavours with subtle cedary oak and spice. It’s generous and very delicious.  Sam Kim, wine writer

Our normal retail discounts (excluding specials) are

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 - $12.00. South Island - $10.00 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. This years event is Wednesday 6th January [rain day 8th] 2010 - 2:00 to 8:30 pm, starting with Dunedin's DEL GIRLS, followed by our very own quartet "The SpareParts" featuring Neil Middlemass to entertain us with a compilation of jazz and blues while guests relax and dance the evening away.

Gate sales on the day $25 - pre buy "on-line", at the vineyard, or any Central Otago Paper Plus store and pay $20 - Kids 12 and under are FREE.

Bring a picnic and rug and enjoy the music and the ambience - light food, coffee and wine available - NO BYO Alcohol please. CLICK Here to buy tickets On-Line now!

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.