Tuesday, March 22, 2016

East End Classic Boat Society + Stonecrop Wines

Every year we have a celebration with the East End Classic Boat Society in Amagansett. Friends and boat builders enjoy our trio of wines in the beautiful building next to the 
Marine Museum overlooking the ocean.


The East End Classic Boat Society invites anyone who would like to enjoy the fun of wooden boat building to join it at the Hartjen–Richardson Community Boat Shop in Amagansett. For those with no prior woodcraft experience, it’s a chance to learn. For those with know-how, it’s an opportunity to use their skills and guide others. The cost of belonging is only $35 a year.
The group works to maintain traditional skills used to build and restore vintage era boats. Members come from all walks of life, including metal workers, writers, cabinetmakers, artists, carpenters and doctors.
They are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m.

The society operates from a well-appointed, modern building filled with a wealth of equipment, tools and machinery used to construct new boats of classic design and restore vintage watercraft.  The boat shop was built in 2008 and is located behind the marine museum at 301 Bluff Road in Amagansett.

Stonecrop Wines and EECBS make a good team - We each share a passion for a handcrafted, quality product with a focus on traditional skills.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Dry River Road



Stonecrop is a small 20 acre vineyard situated on the edge of an ancient riverbed on the renowned Dry River Road, Martinborough. The gravely, deep, free-draining soils combined with the cool maritime climate and low rainfall allow us to produce wines of exceptional quality.

Martinborough
Soil scientists discovered a direct connection to Burgundy, an almost identical mix of free-draining river gravels, temperature and rainfall. Excellent concentration, structure, complexity and texture set Martinborough wines apart - low cropping levels, unique soils and climate consistently ensure these qualities are found in the wines of the Wairarapa region.
There are other Burgundian connections, including the boutique scale and strong family ties to land, vines and wines.  Wines from Martinborough are renowned as premium wines with an international reputation 
that far outweighs its tiny production levels.

Sustainability
Stonecrop is a member of the New Zealand Sustainable Winegrowing programme and is an accredited SWNZ vineyard. The practice of Sustainable Winegrowing helps to improve the performance of our vineyard with a focus on the conservation of natural resources.

We are committed to using natural methods to control pests and diseases, which means a reduction of chemicals and sprays, creating a healthy environment for soil and vines resulting in the production of the best quality grapes possible and the production of world class
pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and rosé wines.















Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Everyone loves a Martinborough Pinot Noir

Especially one from the renowned Dry River Road - All of our Stonecrop pinot noir grapes are carefully handpicked to ensure that only the best fruit makes it to the bottle.

VINTAGE NOTES:
In 2011 the Martinborough region experienced warm temperatures at flowering and a very even fruit set with good crop levels which, due to good summer temperatures, led to an early veraison. The fruit reached optimum ripeness with great flavor concentration and arrived at the winery in excellent condition. The good physiological and flavor development at lower sugar (brix) levels allowed the wine to show good flavor and Pinot texture.

Stonecrop is a member of the New Zealand Sustainable Winegrowing program and is an accredited SWNZ vineyard. The practice of Sustainable Winegrowing helps to improve the performance of our vineyard with a focus on the conservation of natural resources. We are committed to using natural methods to control pests and diseases, which means a reduction of chemicals and sprays, creating a healthy environment for soil and vines resulting in the production of the best quality grapes possible.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
The fruit was 100% destemmed and fermented for 8 days in small fermenters by clone with hand plunging at six-hourly intervals, post ferment maceration and gentle pressing off. Careful barrel selection using French oak Damy and Cadus barrels to balance the tannins and 16 months maturation in 20% new oak resulted in a well balanced wine.
Nose:    Ripe intense classic aromas of soft plum and black cherry with developing gamy and earthy complexity.
Palate:  Rich fruit dominates the palate supported by soft tannins that have developed a silkiness with bottle age.  A concentrated, full-bodied Pinot Noir yet elegant and balanced, with mineral, fruit and oak flavors, showing classic Pinot Noir complexity and supple texture.