What a full on month, not to over use that stupid cliché ‘hitting the ground running’ but that’s how the Christmas holidays finished and the New Year really began.
Pinot 2010 was one of the most well regarded wine conferences in the world with most of the top wine press attending plus about 107 NZ Pinot producers.
Held in Wellington, the capital decided to turn on a stunning week of unprecedented weather the place turned it on like a harbour capital should.
The conference was extremely informative with great speakers like Kevin Roberts (Saatchi’s) who tried to focus the audience on creating a love bite (aka Hiki) through building performance, trust and reputation with love from NZ (a global approach selling the credibility, knowledge, skills, attitude and reputation of what is means to be a NZ’er – pure). Also more importantly, thinking from the shelf back seducing though the packaging, taste, pricing, and stories.
Matthew Jukes (UK) was entertaining and informing clearly spelling out the NZ Pinot producers have a one off opportunity to dominate, with us being the best value and quality in the world and landing NZ in a great position to pick up where burgundy have had 3 successive poor vintages.
Nick Stock (Aust) comparing Pinot in NZ with analogies of surfing (which worked well for Wild Rock) that people drive a long way to get to waves, choose the right board for skills & waves, attack in different ways for different waves – yeah Nick. He went on to say we should focus on being unique, work on our complexity, balance, rise above industry standard, and avoid any phony made up wines (maybe an Aussie thing).
Jamie Goode and Steve Smith gave great speeches on sustainability and Tim Atkin and Jeremy Moon were very entertaining and engaging. There were plenty of other great speeches and inspiring moments as well.
There were some fantastic tastings (although I found the 20 min allocation tough to taste so many delicious Pinots – up to 13 in a tasting) being regional tastings , vintage tastings , & world tastings – absolute heaven!!!!!
Matthew Jukes rated Wild Rock up there (we made his cut) he gave our 07 Cupids Arrow 17.5 out of 20!
We had a great time at Harvest Hawkes Bay at Roy’s Hill in Hastings – first time in ages the event was held in one location. It was fun and great to enjoy with a friendly crowd of appreciative folks (no where near as smashed as at the Toast Martinborough event).
Well no rest for the wicked – moved into our first house in the Hawkes Bay (after 2 &1/2 yrs looking) and then flew off to NY NY! What a great city full of hospitable friendly folks who love Kiwis – thanks Bret, Jermaine and Murray!
The snow was falling and the city had a romance about it that rivalled Paris.
Sold lashings of Wild Rock wine and even fitted in some consumer tastings in downtown Manhattan and Soho and a concert with one of my favourite bands the Editors – too much.
Now down in Orlando Florida where it feels bigger than Texas – in fact apparently there are more hotel rooms than all US cities other than Vegas. Day 2 here and all is going swimmingly with me hosting an enjoyable seminar and meeting some knowledgeable eager wine people that make the whole thing a pleasure. #wine #pinot
Cheers
Ash - The Wild Rock Guy
