Man O’ War Wines are launching their full fleet of Flagship wines in 2012

Man O’ War will this year be releasing two wines from possibly the smallest wine region in the world, Ponui Island.

Ponui Island which literally means ‘great extended night’ is located in the Hauraki Gulf, to the southwest of Waiheke Island. The island has an area of 2000 hectares and is virtually uninhabited (population nine) and is the home of New Zealand’s only feral donkey breed, the Jerusalem donkey and also New Zealand’s national bird, the Kiwi.

Ponui Island’s unique microclimate has shown itself favourable to Pinot Gris, especially the St Helena clone, which has been planted within the 6 hectares of Man O’ War vineyards on Ponui Island. Plantings also include Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec, which in 2010 were selected to produce an addition to the Flagship range ‘Warspite’

A labour of love and a true expression of extreme winemaking, conditions have to be exact for harvest from Ponui. The moon, tides and grape selection has to be perfect before the journey can begin, governed by the tides hand harvested grapes are transported by barge across the water from Ponui, into Man O’ War Bay and delivered via the beach to the winery, where Duncan McTavish and his winemaking team begin their selection process for creating Man O’ War wines.

As with all of Man O’ War Flagship wines a name is created for each that depicts a story, reminiscent of the Navel history that is Man O’ War.

Warspite 61.5% Cabernet Franc, 23.2% Merlot 15.3% Malbec
Emulating the new class of “fast” battleship that was blessed with an intoxicating combination of elegance and power, Warspite Cabernet Franc Merlot is designated for the graceful power of the Royal Navy’s “Grand Old Dame”.

2012
The vintage that rewarded great vineyards and patience…….
Summer was a non-event for many of us in the north but as hoped there was a change in fortune and the Indian summer kicked in. Plenty of rain was forecast for us over the harvest months that never arrived and we enjoyed a stable and warm business end of the season. All be it a late run home, 2012 ended up being a very complete vintage across the board with all varieties showing great definition and varietal expression.
Matt Allen Estate Manager

Man O’ War Exiled Pinot Gris 2012
Man O’ War Gravestone Sauvignon Semillon 2012

2010
The 2010 vintage is widely talked about as the greatest vintage Waiheke vineyards have ever seen. A summer of endless sunshine where clean fruit was allowed to hang until peak maturity and flavour development was reached. Not the largest vintage by any stretch as a cool spring limited the vines production but the combination of lower yields and a perfect summer merged to form the base for complete wines of great concentration and purity.
Matt Allen Estate Manager

Man O’ War Dreadnought – Syrah 2010
Man O’ War Ironclad – Bordeaux Blend 2010
Man O’ War Warspite – Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec 2010
Man O’ War Valhalla – Chardonnay 2010

MAN O’ WAR NEW RELEASE TASTING WELLINGTON
The Wellington Man O’ War new release tasting is planned for Tuesday October 30th

This event will be held at Shed 5 Wellington
Invites will be sent out.
For expression of interest to attend this event and for further details please e-mail
info@manowarvineyards.co.nz

MAN O’ WAR NEW RELAESE TASTING AUCKLAND
The Auckland Man O’ War new release tasting is planned for Tuesday November 6th

This event will be held at Man O’ War and transport will be provided.
Invites will be sent out.
For expression of interest to attend this event and for further details please e-mail
info@manowarvineyards.co.nz

or
Lindsey Holcombe
Global Sales & Marketing Manager Man O’ War
Mobile + 64 21 871 734
lindsey@manowarvineyards.co.nz