Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant is one of the best-know attractions on Waiheke Island. Nick and Robyn Jones established it in 1992 and developed it to its potential since, and still remain owners of it. Owning vineyards on the island to make the premium wines, the company supplements this fruit from throughout the country to make a full range of quality bottlings. Pat Newton has been the winemaker since 2011, and with vineyard manager Nick Otto, have progressively raised the bar with the wines, such that that can figure among the best seen on Waiheke Island. The past few vintages have been challenging on the island, but as always, excellent quality wine can be made, though usually in reduced volumes. Cooler growing temperatures and rainfall, especially at the end of the season were problematical. Patrick notes that the whites were harvested before the autumn rains set in, but the fruit was physiologically ripe with low brix. He has been able to craft a number of wines at the ‘Reserve’ level, and higher. Here, I review the 2017 ‘Reserve’ Viognier, Chardonnay and Noble Riesling, the latter wine from Marlborough fruit, made at a contract facility in the region to preclude transporting the fruit. www.mudbrick.co.nz
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