Blog

FOOD AND togetherness are the key ingredients in Spy Valley’s ever-evolving programme of wellness activities. Winners of the 2023 Marlborough Wine Industry Workplace Wellbeing Impact Award, the team at Spy Valley have kept up the momentum over the past 12 months. Spring Pizza Lunch, Monthly Morning Tea, Fish and Chip Fridays, Coffee from around the World and an end-of harvest Mexican feast have all been on the menu. “Food is a good way to show you care for people and appreciate what they do,” says Spy Valley managing director Amanda Johnson. “Times have been tough for a lot of people...

Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis' choice of a New Zealand wine for salsa and guacamole should come as no surprise to aficionados, as the country is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the varietal. Although the grape is famously grown in France and California, Kiwis have been reliably producing bright, crispy, and aromatic wines that go great with the appetizer spread. This prowess is in part due to the country's climate, where cool nights, high doses of sunlight, and a long growing season help encourage the cultivation of the grapes.Often described as sharp and acidic, Sauvignon Blancs from...

As the curtains close on another successful Spy Valley harvest, it's an opportune moment to reflect on the vintage full of flavour and the beautiful environment that shaped it. Though our late harvest Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling still linger on the vines, the essence of this year's harvest is already visible. Harvesting 1793 tonnes across six varietals, a mix of hand and machine picks. This year we were dealt a hand unseen in 90 years, with just 161mm of rain from September to April unexpectedly low against the long-term average of 337mm. Yet, despite the dry landscape with the hottest...

  GOLD Spy Valley Winners SILVER Spy Valley Winners   The Global Wine Masters Competitions began in 2013 as an offshoot of the drinks business, the world’s leading magazine for the wine and spirits trade. We wanted to use our industry expertise to promote the world’s best wines.Though still shy of our tenth anniversary, we have grown immensely to become one of the most respected competition series in the trade. From just four competitions in our first year, we have expanded to more than twenty, encompassing thousands of entries.The Wine Masters take a distinct, new approach to the way wine is...