Handford Wines

The Donaldson family have been seriously involved in wine since the early 1970's and were pioneers of local grape growing and wine making. Associate Professor and Consultant Neurologist, Ivan Donaldson, is a wine writer and wine judge. He also oversees viticulture and wine styles. His wife, Christine, is business manager and as a passionate opera lover, organises annual operatic concerts in Pegasus Bay's natural amphitheatre. Their eldest son, Matthew, did an oenology degree and a postgraduate diploma in viticulture at Roseworthy College in Australia. He and his partner Lynnette Hudson, who graduated with distinction from Lincoln University with a postgraduate diploma in oenology and viticulture, are the winemakers. Matthew supervises the reds and Lynnette oversees the whites. Another son, Edward Donaldson, is marketing manager and, as a trained chef, supervises the Pegasus Bay Vineyard restaurant. Pegasus Bay is an entirely family-owned and operated enterprise. Within the Waipara Valley, Pegasus Bay vineyard gets maximum protection from the Pacific's easterly breezes by being tucked up under the lee of the Teviotdale range. Heat summation during the day is promoted by smooth stones and gravels left behind by an ice age glacier. The soil is freely draining and of low fertility, resulting in naturally reduced vine vigour. This produces low yields of optimally ripened, high quality, flavourful grapes, which fully express the qualities of this unique setting. An unusually large vineyard staff allows operations such as shoot thinning, crop thinning, berry exposure and fruit selection, to be carried out meticulously.

The Wine

This lush offering from the Donaldson family is only released a full year after most 2006 Sauvignons from Marlborough and Hawkes Bay are long gone. The amazingly complex barrel fermented portions of Semillon add such appealing weight and complexity while the Sauvignon Blanc adds superb structure and zesty, tropical gooseberry fruit. This is a full round style that has been delivered from the excellent 2006 vintage. Not much around so get in quickly!

Single Bottle: £14.99

In a case of 12: £14.24