Checking in From New Zealand

Our Southern Hemisphere wine buyer Ryan Woodhouse continues his rugged, outdoorsy lifestyle on the other side of the world this week. The nature-loving, game-hunting wine professional is running the gambit between Marlborough and Central Otago, tasting the latest cuvées while tracking down new producers for the thirsty K&L masses. He usually wears a shirt while tasting, however.

In Marlborough, the pinot noir grapes from one of our favorite direct-import producers Te Whare Ra are being harvested right now. Ever wonder why the TWR pinot noir is so good? Simple organic viticulture, selective hand picking, and hand sorting by the individual berry. 

Just a few tents over the TWR team is hand-sorting grapes from the tiny six-row parcel of old vine chardonnay. We'll see the results of their work later on this year! 

-David Driscoll

David Driscoll