KEY POINTS:
There are mixed messages coming from the world of wine. On the one hand the spin doctors are in overdrive, claiming that global monetary meltdown is not affecting wine sales.
On the contrary, they would have you believe tough times are driving us all to drink. Then there are the rumours of medium- to-small-sized wineries on the precipice of partial or total collapse, not to mention a couple of senior players breaking out into cold sweats. The word is there is too much volume thanks to a couple of stunning vintages and new plantings... and not enough buyers.
Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that currently around 10 to 12 per cent of our vineyards are for sale - and that's just the ones honest enough to say they are on the market. Far too many idealistic types anxious to embrace the romance of owning a vineyard have had their dreams bruised by reality.
Viticulture has been followed by vinification and ultimately bankruptcy. But enough of this negativity. Applause, please, for a new entrant in the world of wine. Misha's Vineyard has one of the most beautiful sites in the country.
Perched on the edge of Lake Dunstan, the 57ha estate is in the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago. "When we held our ceremony at the beginning of our vineyard planting, we buried Chinese gold coins underneath the first eight vines to bring us luck," says co-owner Misha Wilkinson. It's working. The launch of the vineyard coincided with a gold medal for Misha's 2008 gewurztraminer at last year's Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
The Wilkinsons spent much of their working life in Asia and establishing this vineyard is the fulfilment of a long-held dream. They've managed to snare an impressive team, including high-profile viticulturalist Robin Dicey and pinot specialist Olly Masters.
To date, along with the gewurztraminer there's a pinot noir, pinot gris, and riesling. Tough time to get started, but fortune favours the brave.
Recommended
2008 Misha's Vineyard "The Gallery" Gewurztraminer
Nicely balanced and understated with intense aromas of mango and pink grapefruit. Off dry, subtle. No wonder the judges loved it.
Price: $26
2007 Misha's Vineyard "The Audition" Pinot Noir
Only 100 cases made. Raspberry and red fruit with hint of oak, earth and liquorice. Wonderful maturity for 3-year-old vines.
Price: $45
