A 'Welcome to our New Website' Note from the M.D.

It is here! The new website:

I hope that you find it useful, interesting and informative. It is designed to be fun, have some pictures of us and the region to give you all a sense of place…..

Christmas is upon us again. Each year it seems to approach with such haste; one minute it’s July and we’re looking at the new wines... blink and Spring has passed and Christmas is here.

We have seen some good weather in Marlborough of late, with only 60% of our average rainfall in the last month or so, with the sun shining and the temperatures rising…..stuff that grape vines love.

The vine health is looking good and we eagerly await the flowering period to see what the likely crop levels will be like across our 8 varieties.

Last week we all gathered for our Astrolabe Growers Christmas tour and party. It was fun having the whole group together, being able to tour through a selection of vineyards led by Simon and Jeremy in the Wairau Valley region of Marlborough. Tim, Jane, Genevieve and I were busily preparing Astrolabe Farm for the drinks, dinner whilst Ross held the fort in a majestic solo effort!

2012 has been an interesting year with some challenges for us all; market fluctuations and the usual surprises cropping up. But all in all, Astrolabe Wines is looking good and with the release of the 2012 Awatere and Province Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, 2010 Pinot Noir and 2011 Chardonnay, we are looking forward to 2013 and trying to plan accordingly.

Thank you all for your continued support and enthusiasm for Astrolabe Wines, the team appreciate it and we certainly don’t take it for granted!

Best wishes over the festive period and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year to you all.

Cheers

Jason