Newsletter
September 2011
Spring is in the air - almost. We've had a glimpse; I've even heard a few flies buzzing around so Spring can't be that far away. The sap is running in the vines and Bob, Leith, Brian and a contracted team of pruners have just finished pruning in time. And with Spring comes lots of activity in the vineyard and cellar door. So grab that glass of wine, or coffee if you are reading this in the a.m., and read on......
Ten years! Would you believe it? We opened the cellar door in October, 2001. So we are going to celebrate with the number 10. Here are the deals and the sweet details:
10% off any wines bought for take-home at cellar door and from online PLUS free shipping during the month of October. You might just want a two-pack - that's fine. We'll give it to you at a 10% discount AND ship it to you, or whoever you are giving it to, at no freight cost. A Great Gift Idea! Or, you might want to order a Dinner Party in a Box - already highly discounted but we're willing to give our Birthday Discount on this as well - another 10% off. Another great gift idea. It's not too early to be thinking Christmas! Visit the website to buy online.
Buy 12, Pay for only 10! Plus FREE shipping. Buy a case (12) and we'll only charge you for 10. Cellar door or online.
Every Birthday celebration needs a cake. And every cake needs friends to eat it. Come to Gisborne Peak Winery during our 10-year Birthday Celebration month (October) and finish your visit with a complimentary piece of Birthday Cake - on us! Just ask for a piece of our Birthday Cake. (no take-aways. We want you to celebrate WITH us!)
A big 10-Year THANKS for your support, your concern throughout our trials and tribulations and sharing our successes and growth with us. We wouldn't have made it this far without you. But mostly thanks, and we mean real, sincere THANKS for your friendship, smiles and loyalty. And for loving our wines and pizzas and our place!
We've just stocked both dams with fish again. Remember when we had those big trout swimming around and loving pizza crust and cheese scraps? They were our 'performing trout' and would come to the deck when they heard people's voices and saw bits of pizza crust on the water. Well, they got washed away after many years and a few overflows of the dam. So we have restocked the dam with rainbow trout and brook trout. Hope the resident Cormorant doesn't have a feast before they get too big for him. P.S. Leave your fishing poles at home, each fish has a GPS tracker fitted!
Finally finished and ready for you to enjoy. We are getting the nicest comments about them and it is very rewarding. One final 'win' for us and that is 'kitchen sinks'. Yup, we've got permission to put in a small kitchen sink. If you didn't get a chance to come to the Open House Weekend we've done a really nice slide show video. Go to YouTube, just search for Gisborne Peak Winery. It's only 2 minutes!
If you want to give someone a different and very special gift (Christmas?) we have beautiful gift vouchers for the cottages. They can be bought online by visiting our website. You choose either a one-night option or a two-night option, and once they get the voucher they can arrange the date. Let us know if you are interested in getting an Eco-Cottage Gift Voucher.
The cottages were officially opened by Hon Rob Mitchell on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Hon Martin Ferguson on 12th August. It was a beautiful day, blue skies and lots of people. Some of the tradesmen who worked on the cottages came and they were so surprised at the finished product. The Australian native and Macedon Ranges indigenous gardens look a treat! And they will just get better and better. The wind turbine is spinning and the solar panels are doing their bit too, considering winter has just ended. The battery bank is fully charged so it's All-Systems-Go.
The cottages have their own page on our website now. www.gisbornpeakwines.com.au/cottages.
We've had a number of guests stay in the cottages now and we are pleased and encouraged by their comments. Bob and I even spent the night in one to 'test it out'. Really, we had to know if the mattresses were comfortable (they are!). And if the couch was user friendly (it is!). We had a ball and I think our guests will too. Will you be one of our guests? When is your next significant date? Maybe an anniversary or special birthday?
It's always hard to say 'Good-bye' to a good friend, and that's how we feel about Vintage 2008 Two Blocks Blend Pinot. It was such a pure, reliable wine. We still have the 2008 Reserve Pinot of that vintage which is improving all time.
Now it's time to say 'hello' to Vintage 2009 Pinot and it's almost like nothing we've released before - except maybe 2002. It's big. Solid. Dark. Rich. Get the idea? It was the hot summer of 2008/09 that seems to have given this vintage so much gusto. Gusto! Good word for this wine. It's on the counter now. Same price because we've made a promise to not raise prices at the moment.
It's also on the website and remember that we have Secure Online ordering of Pinot Noir. And if you wait until October, you'll get 10% off.
Lot's of bubbles, red and white, lots of Rose Wine and food, and lots of fun. Tuesday, November 1st. Details will be on the website soon. Always a good day at the winery. Cost is $45.00 pp. Visit the website for details.
Saturday December 3rd. For all of you Adoptive Parents, bring your family and friends to meet your vine and spend the afternoon in the vineyard in the shade of your vine. Then decorate your vine with Christmas decorations! Why? Just because it's fun. And you win a prize.
We're going to try something different this year. This year we are allowing you to bring your own food: fried chicken, salads, slices, Scotch eggs - sounds good. Real picnic food. But, we ask you this…… no byo drinks of any kind please (soft or alcoholic). That's what we have in the cellar door so come in and take your choice from our wonderful range of wines, soft drinks and even a little bit of boutique beer. If bringing your own picnic sounds like too much work, then pre-order a picnic hamper and wine, or just buy from our regular menu items. More details later.
Most of you who visit cellar door would know Patsy Smith. She's been working here casually for the entire 10 years! Patsy seems to have it in her mind that she would like to travel, relax and spend more time with Mike. So we reluctantly said 'OK'. It's really not OK because we miss her around here. I'm quite certain she will be back for the occasional odd shift or two. So 'Thank-You Patsy' for all of your hard work and care around the winery (she also planted some of the original gardens).
Long Table at Dusk. We have decided that this is best held in Summer. Perhaps January or February, just before the nets go on the vines. An evening of enjoying our wines and some food al fresco. Wines paired with food, set amongst the vines, or perhaps along the dam wall.
On a crisp 30th of July morning at 9:15am thirteen eager students gathered together at the vineyard warmly greeted by Barb and Ana. As we waited for Bob (who claimed he was already in the vineyard selecting the appropriate cutting to use for demonstration purposes!) we enjoyed the warmth of the Fireside Room and refreshments.
Before we ventured into the vineyard Bob gave us a comprehensive lesson on the various pruning techniques. We also learned how to put a piece of string in our pockets and to tie a reef knot. (You will need to come along next year to find out what this is all about)
Between Bob's comprehensive tutorial and venturing out for the practical experience on the precious vines we enjoyed morning tea with moist carrot cake and tea/coffee.
At about 11am our intrepid class moved out into the vineyard where Bob gave us a practical example of what we were going to do. Up until this stage it looked very easy indeed. Then he (some may say silly Bob) handed a section of the row to each of us to "have a go" at using our newfound knowledge. Point to note - what looks easy isn't always that way. Under Bob's supervision though we attacked the vines and between us we pruned two rows (to perfection if we do say ourselves).
Before returning to the warmth of the Fireside Room we were privileged to be given a sneak preview of the new eco-cabins. They look great!
Lunch of rosemary potato, sausage in bread, pea & ham soup followed by a selection of the fantastic pizzas was presented to us (together with a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot) all of which was quickly devoured.
A message for those who didn't attend, you missed out on a great day. Not only did we learn skills applicable to our own gardens, we had a great day of learning, fellowship and laughs.
Thanks to Bob, Barb and the team for a fantastic day. I am now looking forward to the Canopy Management Day later in the year. Rob Coulson
Order wine in October (hint, hint.... think Christmas Presents)
Come and 'Let them eat cake" in October (See above)
Talk to your friends about coming to the Winery for Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday, 1 November
Try our new Pinot 2009 when you visit cellar door
Book a night or weekend at the cottages. Or buy a gift voucher for a stay at the cottages.
Watch the video (only 2 minutes) of the cottages.
