Last week was Organic Wine Week in New Zealand and to celebrate here in the States they hosted a tasting and seminar at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Although they are a relative newcomer in the wine world, New Zealand is setting standards and outpacing many other wine regions in sustainable and organic practices. Their holistic approach and future-facing goals are promising and inspiring.
Read MoreQuartz Reef has always had a cult following at K&L. Which is why I jumped at the chance to meet up with Rudi Bauer, founder and winemaker behind Quartz Reef this August. Rudi first moved to New Zealand from his native Austria in 1985 and after stints at Mission Vineyards, Giesen and Rippon, quickly became known as one of the pioneers of Central Otago, and one of the first adherents of Biodynamic farming in New Zealand. He founded Quartz Reef in 1998 and today, he’s considered a legend in the Central Otago winemaking scene.
Read MoreThis past weekend, we tasted wines from Australia and New Zealand in all our stores. Although Kumeu River didn’t make the lineup this time around, I couldn’t help but add it to the current conversation. Gracing my table several times this summer, the Kumeu River Chardonnays have been some of my favorite whites to break out over dinner. These wines, which have often gone head to head with (and been victorious over) some very serious white Burgundies, are beautiful, vivacious wines that are fantastic with food, and a great value for the quality.
Read MoreWinemaking in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa is on fire these days, with a commitment to organic and biodynamic farming, excellent winemaking, and terroir-driven wines. Think beyond Shiraz and Sauv Blanc—the wines are fresh and exciting and will blow your expectations out of the water.
Read MoreImagine you’re at a blind tasting. The glass put in front of you exudes gooseberry, lemongrass, grapefruit, and jalapeños. The wine is austere in profile, crisp on the body and lip-smacking on the finish. How long would it take you to figure it out? Most likely, your mind would be screaming the answer before the words could even form on your lips. Without a doubt, it’s New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, a wine so incredibly unique that it is instantly recognizable. As International Sauvignon Blanc Day approaches this Friday, we thought we would pull out some of our favorites from Down Under to celebrate this varietal. If you were looking for an excuse to raise a glass tomorrow night, here it is. You’re welcome!
Read MoreOur New Zealand Buyer, Stefanie Juelsgaard, just returned from a two week trip Down Under. She had the chance to stop in and visit with Te Whare Ra (a.k.a. TWR), which is one of our favorite small producers from Marlborough. Owned by a husband-and-wife team, Jason and Anna Flowerday, TWR makes some amazing, hand-crafted wines from their organic estate vineyard.
Read MoreWhen we think about wine for Thanksgiving dinner, two varietals stand out - Pinot Noir and Riesling. With this in mind, we are super excited about a new producer that we’re bringing in from New Zealand, Tongue in Groove. Not only do their wines pair perfectly with the food on the Thanksgiving plate, but they also add an element of playfulness and personality.
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