27-May-2013
The Waitaki Valley has suffered a blow with the news at the start of April this year that Antonio Pasquale was ceasing his operation there. His business was arguably the most significant contributor to this emerging region with a winery on site that serviced a number of the other growers and operators in the district. Many of the remaining growers will need to have their wine made outside the region. Q Wine is the Waitaki Valley wine label of Jules Stephan who established a 5.5 ha vineyard on Grants Road in 2005. Planted to 4 ha Pinot Gris, 1.5 ha Pinot Noir and a little Chardonnay that will be increased to 1 ha this year, Stephan released his first wines with the 2010 vintage. Rudi Bauer and Grant Taylor made the first wines, but now Antony Worsch of Alexandra Vintners is settled in the role, making the wines at that facility. I was impressed with the 2011 vintage releases in July last year (click here to see), and I now review the 2012 wines. www.qwine.co.nz
