Author Archives: glasnevinwines

In 2001, we were able to attract equity investment from private sources to enable us to re-structure the business of Fiddler’s Green Wines Ltd. The same equity source took a 50% stake in the acquisition and development of an adjoining property at 242 Georges Road (Ensor block ). A separate company structure was created forContinue reading “Tenth Excerpt – Winegrower”

We also trialled selected sonic bird-scaring equipment sourced through a cousin of Jennie’s, Andi Flower, based in Australia, representing an American manufacturer, again without any significant success. The product was branded under the name Bird Guard. The issues were mainly around setting up the system, installation of speakers, maintenance of batteries, controlling the bird callsContinue reading “Ninth Excerpt – Winegrower”

The main birds that can wreck havoc among the vines in the Waipara Valley are the starling, blackbird, thrush, and the cheeky little waxeye ( silvereye ). The starlings operate in flocks and are grazers. Given the opportunity, they will start at one end of a row and move methodically and efficiently to the otherContinue reading “Eighth Excerpt – Winegrower”

By 2005 we were actively looking to other options to grow our business. We needed outside expertise and capital to assist the growth of sales both within New Zealand and in export markets. We particularly needed specialist input in the areas of distribution and marketing. We never connected with the right people – despite ourContinue reading “Seventh Excerpt – Winegrower”

I have, of recent times, had cause to have dealings with two different women involved at executive level in the wine industry. One is employed by a retail liquor chain based in Auckland; the other a manager of an off-shore liquor outlet in the South Pacific. The parallel outcomes have been disappointing, to say theContinue reading “Bitches”

                                                Pro-Bono Activities   In March of 1993 I was appointed the honorary solicitor to the Canterbury Grape Growers’ Association. At that time the Association was a loose grouping of wine growers in the wider Canterbury area. My initial role was to advise and make recommendations concerning registration as an incorporated society and to layContinue reading “Sixth Excerpt – Winegrower”

In June of 2005 Jennie’s father Michael ( Mick ) Flower died aged 89 yrs, after a short illness. At that time we had no proper outdoor living area where we could get away from the brutish nor’ wester. Jennie was willing to use part of her inheritance from Mick’s estate, which I administered, towardsContinue reading “Fifth Excerpt – Winegrower”

It was in 2004 that our resource consent to take and use water for irrigation purposes came up for renewal. We filed the necessary application for the grant of a new consent with the Canterbury Regional Council. In the interim, we were able to operate under the existing consent pursuant to a provision in theContinue reading “Fourth Excerpt – Winegrower”

In 2001 we harvested our first crops of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. The yields for a first pick were low, as could be expected for young vines. The fruit quality and ripeness was stunning. Both wines were fermented and aged in French oak barriques. The wines were bottled and released to the market inContinue reading “Third Excerpt – Winegrower”

Domestically, the market for wine in New Zealand has become very congested and even over-crowded. There are simply too many brands and labels out there. Many producers now offer more than 1 label as part of their business strategy. This is done essentially to meet the market at a range of different price points. TheContinue reading “Wine Prices”