Wines

Argentina

FINCA & BODEGA CAP VISTALBA

(Mendoza)

This family estate is located in the center of Vistalba, within Lujan de Cuyo, at the foot of the Andes. The Corte line is sourced from the 50 hectares of vineyards on the estate, most of which date back to 1948, as the rough characteristics of the soil is a preferred growing environment for the Malbec grape. The vineyards for the Tomero line are located in the highest area of the Uco Valley in Mendoza. Planted in 1980, they showcase the range of varietals that can grow and thrive in Mendoza. A total of 342 hectares were planted with Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir. The modern winery that produces both lines boasts cutting- edge equipment and storage facilities to ensure ideal conditions and precise temperature control throughout the winemaking process.

DOMINIO DEL PLATA — Budini

(Mendoza)

Produced under the Dominio del Plata winery, Budini is named after the rare and wild pampas cat of Argentina, Oncifelis colocolo budini. This furry and elusive cat can be found from the grassy grazing plains of the Argentine pampas to the high-elevation foothills of the Andes where Argentina's finest wine grapes are grown. Budini is a harbinger of a new breed of wine — ripe with fruit character, excellent structure with fine and perfectly mature tannins, easy to enjoy, all offered at a great value. The wines still very much reflect this family-owned winery's commitment to precision viticulture and superior winemaking, and their love and passion for top-quality wine production. As well, Budini wines are produced under Dominio del Plata's code of sustainable agriculture, which aims to maintain the long-term viability of agricultural lands by protecting the environment, conserving the area's natural resources, and supporting the local farming and winery communities.

Australia

WOODY NOOK WINES

(Margaret River)

Woody Nook is a family-owned, small production winery in the Margaret River growing area in Western Australia, a three-hour drive from the southern outskirts of Perth. The winery currently maintains a total of 17 acres of non-irrigated vines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Cabernet Franc, the grapes from which are entirely hand-picked. They produce a little more than 5,000 cases of wine a year. The first cuttings were planted in 1982 and the first crush took place in 1987, the first winery building having been built the year before. Woody Nook is currently owned and operated by Peter and Jane Bailey, a native Western Australian couple who now reside in the U.S. Winemaking duties are handled by Neil Gallagher, whose parents were the original owners of the Woody Nook.

California

CANTIGA WINEWORKS

(Sierra Foothills)

Based in Fair Play in the Sierra Foothills, Cantiga is rooted in a longstanding family winemaking tradition that looks to recapture the art of making wine that is both food-friendly and benefits from long periods of cellaring. To achieve its stylistic goals, the winemakers source their fruit very carefully and use 'minimal intervention' methods seldom seen in wines of today, including the purposeful prevention of malolactic fermentation. Cantiga believes in keeping a gentle touch as winemakers to let the grapes — and the uniqueness of the particular vintage — speak for themselves. The result is an essentially European aesthetic — crisp acidity, fruit, and balance — with the added benefits of California ripeness and depth.

Chile

VIÑA SAN NICOLAS

(Curicó Valley)

Viña San Nicolas is a young winery nestled in the Curicó Valley winemaking region of Chile. Curicó Valley is in the southernmost portion of the Valle Central where Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varietals flourish. Two rivers flow west from the Andes across this region, forming two sub-regions called the Teno and Lontué Valleys, creating a climate often referred to as Continental, with cold winters and warm summers. Soils are mostly alluvial and volcanic, fertile with good drainage.

France

DOMAINE SAUVETE

(Loire Valley)

This small family estate is located in the Cher valley on the commune of Monthou sur Cher, Loire Valley. The 16 hectares of vines are cultivated organically (Ecocert certification). The vineyard is rich in many aspects — geographic location, climate, sunlight, soil types — all combining to enable the domaine to make a wide variety of wines that fully express the characteristics of their environment. Their work is carefully thought out from the vineyard through to bottling. Grapes from each parcel are brought to full maturity and meticulously selected, with 10 out of the 16 hectares hand-harvested. Each Cuvée is vinified separately so that it retains its full originality and character.

New Zealand

CAPE CAMPBELL

(Marlborough)

With its distinctive lighthouse, Cape Campbell Wines is situated at the southern end of Marlborough province on the South Island. Owners Murray and Daphne Brown were early pioneers of grapegrowing in Marlborough, having planted their first vineyard in the famed Rapaura district back in 1980. Cape Campbell Wines was started in 2000, and have since garnered numerous awards and accolades for their quality wines both domestically and internationally.

ALEXANDRA WINE CO.

(Central Otago)

This boutique winery is nestled amongst the dry thyme-covered hills of Alexandra, Central Otago, on the South Island. The climate is characterised by hot summer days and relatively cool nights with diurnal ranges of up to 26° Celsius. Alexandra's commitment to creating craft, small batch wines have earned them a place amongst the most revered boutique wineries in New Zealand.

OLSSENS

(Central Otago)

Home to Olssens is Bannockburn in Central Otago, on the South Island. Here the essence of nature is captured by thyme-covered hills and vines deeply rooted in the rocky, gold-bearing schist soils. Olssens was amongst the first to plant vineyards in the lower north-facing slopes and terraces of this hot, dry land, commissioning the original study to assess the viability of grapegrowing in the area. The winery is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of John Olssen and Heather McPherson, supported by a Pinot Noir-specialist viticulturist and a highly experienced winemaker.

South Africa

EXCELSIOR ESTATE

(Robertson Valley)

Excelsior Estate has been owned by the de Wet family since 1870. The estate is located in the South Western Cape, where tall, gaunt mountains encircle a great valley. A wide river meanders through the valley floor, which, during the millennia, created a fertile flood plain for itself, and it is here where the de Wets planted over 200 hectares to vineyards. Drip irrigation and sound canopy is employed under Excelsior's careful vineyard management, and every effort is made to ensure harvesting is done at optimum ripeness. A modern winery was constructed in the 1980s to ensure adequate capacity for their growing exports.

RUDERA

(Stellenbosch)

Winemaker Teddy Hall is one of the most renowned winemakers in the Cape, well-recognized for his talents with creating wonderful Chenin Blancs. Often singled in notable publications such as Wine Spectator for his contribution to quality South African winemaking, Teddy was named Diners Club Winemaker of the Yearin 2001 and the year following was invited to join the ranks of the Winemakers Guild. This standard of excellence is reflected in the remarkable wines he is creating under Rudera. Grapes are from selected, fully managed vineyards where Teddy is able to exercise full control. A strictly classical approach is followed at Rudera through close monitoring of and attention to individual vines, as well as minimal interference in the cellar. Along with his wife Riana, the Halls are striving to achieve with Rudera an essentially South African character in their wines that reflect their origins in terms of terroir.