Stonecrop Snapshots 2019 Harvest

Montauk to Martinborough 2018

We were fortunate this year to have one of the hardest working gals in Montauk come and help us at Stonecrop Vineyard, she picked and sorted, lifted heavy grape laden bins, washed bins, and then did it all over again for a full month with no complaints. 2018, a grand vintage, also known as the Montauk Emma's Vintage.

Oyster Inn + Stonecrop

A visit to The Oyster Inn is always a treat - this coastal hideaway restaurant and Inn is located in beachy village of Oneroa in the heart of beautiful Waiheke Island, here you will experience a unique dining experience with water views from the verandah and luxurious boutique accommodation.

Enjoy a glass of Stonecrop's handcrafted pinot noir made
exclusively for our friends at The Oyster Inn.

Stonecrop Vineyard - Harvest 2018

Gearing up for harvest 2018 at Stonecrop vineyard, pictured below sauvignon blanc rows, a few more weeks to go before the picking begins and a few our Wellington friends will make the trip over the Rimutakas and one friend will make the longer trip from Montauk to help pick our grapes!

Montauk to Martinborough

Each year we are fortunate to have Montauk friends join us at the vineyard for Harvest - Of course we put them to work! Picking grapes, washing bins and driving the tractor.

This photo was taken when our friends Sue and Dan visited in 2011 - it was a great vintage!

Leaf pluckers at Stonecrop vineyard

Our neighbor's sheep leaf-plucking, this practice was introduced to the Dry River Road region by Dr Andrew Harris, owner of Stonecrop vineyard. 
Sustainability in action, and a win win situation for both the farmer next door and our sustainable vineyard.

Leaf plucking is the removal of the leaves that surround the young grapes, this improves air flow which reduces the chance of disease and also improves exposure to sunlight.

Fortunately sheep will eat grapevine leaves but not the pea size grapes, they also do a better job than machines or humans, removing more internal leaves and are more gentle in doing so. 
#sustainable #vineyard #dryriver #sheep #grapevine #leaves #leafplucking #pioneer #healthyvines #grapes #sunlight #aircirculation #grazier #symbiotic

Know your #winegrower #winemaker  #welove #ewe #winwin

Osteria Francescana

Thanksgiving was a very different affair for us this year - We traveled to Venice with dear friends where we walked and ate our way around the city for 10 days, but on Thanksgiving Day we drove to Modena for dinner at Osteria Francescana, it was a gustatory adventure; an evening of exceptional culinary delights and outstanding pairings. No wonder Massimo Bottura's restaurant has three Michelin stars and rated as one of the world's best restaurants.
https://www.osteriafrancescana.it