The Stonyridge Vineyard Larose Tasting and Dinner

Date: 09 Jun 2015

Time: 19:00

location: The Don, St Swithins Lane

Price: £ 195.00 (inc. VAT)

Stonyridge is something of a well-kept secret. It often does not appear in the limelight as production is small and new vintages tend to sell out via subscription direct from the estate. Of the small range of wines produced, the Larose (a Bordeaux-style blend incorporating Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot) lead the way. There are just 1,500 cases of Larose produced on average each year from this six hectare estate.

Stonyridge’s Larose is without doubt one of the most unusual and high quality wines to emanate from New Zealand if not the Antipodes. This Bordeaux style has regularly foxed many in blind tastings as it possesses a wonderfully pure and defined cool-climate profile. Indeed we included it in a blind tasting of 2008 Bordeaux blends, including two First Growth, and it is was voted fifth from a pack of 14 wines. It would have been first by value.

It was always owner Stephen White’s aim to track down where Bordeaux varieties could ripen to perfection in New Zealand. This proved to be easier said than done as the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture was initially uninterested in wine production on Waiheke Island. White comments that the Island was, at the time, the home to hippies, marijuana production and not much else! After enlisting the support of renowned viticulturist Dr. Richard Smart, White finally received approval and the first vines were planted in 1982. After just five years it was the very young vine 1987 Larose that catapulted this estate to fame.

‘I have seen many New World attempts to emulate the Bordeaux method of growing grapes, none more convincing than that of Stephen White at Stonyridge…..A vertical tasting did no more than confirm my view that Stephen White is making New Zealand’s finest Cabernet-based red wines.’ – James Halliday, author of the Australian Wine Companion

I would like to extend an invitation to you to join me at The Don for a 14-wine tasting on 9th June 2015 at which we will have the chance to taste the following vintages:

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 1997

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 1998

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 1999

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2000

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2001

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2002

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2003

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2004

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2005

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2006

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2007

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2008

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2009

Stonyridge Vineyard, Larose, Waiheke Island 2010

Contrary to the usual glass of Champagne, we will begin with a blind tasting of a white wine at 7pm. I will then take you through six vintages in advance of dinner, partnering the remaining eight vintages against three courses prepared by The Don’s Head Chef. We anticipate that the evening will conclude around 10.30pm.

It is always a rare opportunity to have the chance to compare and contrast so many different vintages, but in this case there is comparatively little of the mature vintages in circulation.

Tickets for the 14-wine vertical tasting and three-course dinner will be £195 (including VAT). As we are only extending the invitation to just over a dozen clients, I would appreciate it you could let us know of your interest at the earliest opportunity as space is strictly limited.

All the best,

Simon Larkin MW
Managing Director