JULY 3, 2011 HERALD ON SUNDAY BUSINESS 53 Top marks for Destiny Bay

Production of quality boutique reds on Waiheke Island is putting the little island —and New Zealand —onthe radar of connoisseurs around the world.

By Andre Hueber

WAIHEKE ISLAND wine has given New Zealand’s burgeoning A reputation for pro- ducing quality reds aboost with atop international rating —and an expert hopes it will prompt Aucklanders to better support grape growers there. In its June edition, US wine magazine The Tasting Panel awarded Destiny Bay 98 out of 100 for its 2007 Magna Praemia. FAMILY:Sean and Mike Spratt of Destiny . BOB CAMPBELL Editor Anthony Dias Blue, whose musings are sent to 30 million people every month, Destined for wine described the wine as ‘‘velvety, luscious and ripe with concen- tration on intense fruit ...stun- THE SPRATT family viticultural assessment ning and super long’’. emigrated from California and found it wasn’t just a In previous reviews of other little more than 10 years ago good place to grow wine — Waiheke vineyards, he has after falling in love with New it was agreat place.’’ commented that he is Zealand while on holiday. The project took on alife ‘‘convinced that this small spot ‘‘We were looking at of its own and the first is producing some of New building ahome at Rocky Bay vines were planted Zealand’s —and the world’s — on Waiheke and thought in January 2000. best reds’’. maybe we should plant some ‘‘People said it sounded critic Vic grapes,’’ general manager of like destiny and that’s how Williams says the recognition is Destiny Bay Vineyards Sean we came up with the name. about the highest you can get. Spratt says. We didn’t pick the ‘‘It will be well sought-after and The property sits in abowl- , it picked us.’’ CRITICAL ACCLAIM:Waiheke Island’s Destiny Bay produces ‘‘some of the world’s best reds’’. command atremendous shaped, north-facing Destiny Bay produces price.’’ amphitheatre protected from fewer than 2500 cases a The Magna Praemia is a southerly winds. year of their distinctive ‘‘We don’t need to worry about producing awine blend of 70 per cent cabernet ‘‘It was just going to be a Magna Praemia, Mystae sauvignon, 18 per cent merlot, 5 hobby but we did a and Destinae blends. inexpensively, the emphasis is on quality.’’ per cent , 5per Wine critic Vic Williams cent and 2per cent petit verdot. Every grape is hand- producers, they don’t get the sauvignon and merlot were the equivalent under $15. We don’t Zealand’s total production and being abig picked with no leaves, stems or same press.’’ major red grapes in New Zea- need to worry about producing New Zealand as awhole makes factory. Anything that adds to twigs in the mix. The juice is He says unlike the Hawke’s land, but has awine inexpensively, the up less than 1per cent of the our international credibility will aged in French and American Bay, which has ahospitality captured the public’s imagina- emphasis is on quality.’’ world’s production —‘‘we’re help our export ambitions.’’ and only 300 cases are pro- industry that supports its wines, tion and , the Kiwi version Vineyard general manager rarer than rare’’. New Zealand Wine Growers duced each year. Auckland restaurants haven’t of shiraz, is stacking up to be the Sean Spratt is excited about the Destiny Bay co-founder and chief executive Philip Gregan Williams says Hawke’s Bay is adopted Waiheke Island as their next big thing. rating. ‘‘Like so many of New Spratt’s father, Mike Spratt, says says Destiny is following in the recognised as the home of region —‘‘they’re hard to find Williams says it is pointless Zealand’s small producers, we he is proud to contribute to New footsteps of Waiheke bordeaux red blends, including on menus’’. trying to compete with cheaper don’t make alot of wine, but we Zealand’s growing reputation pioneers from the 1980s, , merlot and ‘‘Auckland should adopt red wines from across the ditch. do try to make some of the for world-class cabernet blends. Goldwater and Stonyridge. ‘‘It’s malbec —but Waiheke is them. It’s nice to drink food and ‘‘You can pick up adrinkable best.’’ ‘‘These are the kind of great for the and gives a rapidly growing in favour. wine from the region you’re in.’’ Aussie red for under $10 but in Waiheke Island vineyards endorsements that will alter halo effect to the image of New ‘‘Because they’re small In the past, cabernet New Zealand you can’t find an make up 0.5 per cent of New perceptions of New Zealand Zealand wine overall.’’