Summary: <a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftastingroomradio.com%2Fjanuary-9th-2016-new-zealand-2%2F&linkname=December%2023rd%2C%202017%20%20%E2%80%93%20New%20Zealand" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftastingroomradio.com%2Fjanuary-9th-2016-new-zealand-2%2F&linkname=December%2023rd%2C%202017%20%20%E2%80%93%20New%20Zealand" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Ftastingroomradio.com%2Fjanuary-9th-2016-new-zealand-2%2F&title=December%2023rd%2C%202017%20%20%E2%80%93%20New%20Zealand"></a> <br> <a href="https://i1.wp.com/tastingroomradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Tasting-Room-Radio-Post-Banner-B1.jpg"></a>The first of several One Hour Specials during a two week wine blitz through New Zealand’s wine regions, with special interest in their amazing sustainability programs. In this special we start in Auckland and conclude in Hawkes Bay. <br> <br> <br> <br> THE SHOW<br> The opportunity was just too good to pass up. For a number of years I’ve been interviewing NZ winemakers as they passed through Canada. The meetings were great but I had no sense of the land. Where these wines were grown and under what conditions. Kiwi’s kept referring to Gimblett Gravels, a place called Nelson, Central Otago and Waiheke Island. I very much wanted to “get it”. To complete my understanding of what went into the astounding success of New Zealand wines – in Canada and around the World.<br> The invite from Wines of New Zealand to tour the country was Waaaay to good to pass up. 94% of all NZ wines are farmed under sustainable practices. It’s not so much a program as a way of life. New Zealanders are all about being green. Just a note: I seem to have done enough interviews for at least 2 other specials. They’ll be coming over the next month and a half.<br> Our guests include: Sarah Szegota New Zealand Winegrowers <a href="http://www.nzwine.com/">www.nzwine.com</a> Rob Meredith/Connie Festa Co-Owners of Peacock Sky Vineyard (Waiheke Island) <a href="http://www.peacocksky.co.nz/">www.peacocksky.co.nz</a><br> Beautiful hilltop vineyard, wonderful Bistro. Rob’s retired and works 7 days a week. Connie’s from Montreal. Cooks like her Mom. Staying on Waiheke Island..just off the coast from Auckland..we visit Mike Spratt at Destiny Bay, maker of only three wines. three Bordeaux influenced red blends..one of which, Magna Praemia, is the most expensive wine in NZ. Mike, his scientist wife Ann and winemaking son Sean lead a stellar team. <a href="http://www.destinybaywine.com/">http://www.destinybaywine.com/</a> In between both those Waiheke island wineries we talk to our “host” Phillip Manson, the man in charge of New Zealand’s Sustainability efforts.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> He’s proud of New Zealand’s reputation. So he should be. <a href="http://www.nzwine.com/">www.nzwine.com</a> Before we leave the dormant volcanoes of beautiful Auckland we visit just one more winery. The most awarded winery in all NZ – Villa Maria!! <a href="http://www.villamaria.co.nz/">www.villamaria.co.nz</a> Sir George Fistonich has spent five decades at the forefront of New Zealand’s wine industry that he helped develop. As an icon of the New Zealand wine industry, Villa Maria is known for bold and industry-changing moves such as moving to 100% screw cap through to the emphasis on sustainable practices in every area of the family owned company. Villa Maria Estate was named the supreme winner at the New Zealand Sustainable ...
