Odyssey News

Post Harvest Newsletter 2009
Pruning is now in full swing in the vineyards and we aim to finish by early September. At this time the new buds will burst and it all starts again!!

2009 Vintage News
The 2009 vintage was down on last years tonnage by about 10%. This means only good news for the consumer and in all cases exceptional fruit has been harvested.

The Marlborough vintage has produced some excellent fruit with great flavours. We harvested 40 Tonnes of Pinot Noir and had enough volume for 8 different ferments. These 8 different ferments split by clones will provide excellent blending material and options. The flavours are stunning and now in barrel the wine will rest until summer when it will undergo its malolactic fermentation before bottling. The Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc production levels were down slightly and the increased intensity of fruit flavour reflects this.

The Gisborne Chardonnay we harvested in late March with lower than expected yields but great flavours and fruit analysis. The juice once pressed has been fermented in 40 % new French oak and now lies in barrel until summer with little to no interference.We may stir every 2 months or so.
We have made again after a 9 year break a Blanc de Blanc bubbly base.... back due to popular demand and will market this special batch under the Behave label.

In the winery we are getting ready to prepare some of the 2009 vintage wines for bottle. The 2008 Pinot Noir Rose has sold out so we have increased production of this wine and will release the new vintage 2009 this October. We will also release at this time the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009.

Marketing News
Odyssey is developing some great new markets and Fiji being one very pleasant to visit!
(No problem finding travel mates to come here!! )
Later in August we will be travelling to the Sofitel in Denerau and then onto the beautiful Island of Vomo to host winemakers dinners. Matching the wines with the exceptional Cuisine available in these fine resorts is fantastic and an excellent way to expose foreigners as well as Kiwis to the brand. Its great to be able to go on holiday and treat yourself to the fine wine and food available at these resorts.

How the other wines are drinking
The Odyssey Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 is now coming into its own with some beautiful tropical fruit, passionfruit and melon flavours, flanked by the flinty character typical of the Brancott Valley. This offers excellent drinking in both the Homer and Odyssey brands. (The Homer will have slightly more sweetness than the Odyssey.)

The Odyssey Gisborne Chardonnay 2007 made in the fruity style impresses people at this price point . The luscious fruit is well to the fore now with some lovely ripeness evident. The mouthfeel is well rounded so easily drunk on its own or matched with food.

My favourite is the Odyssey Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007, the wine is showing great fruit weight and tannin structure and the ageing potential over the next years looks very exciting.

The Odyssey Marlborough Pinot Noir 2004 is drinking absolutely beautifully now. If you have any of that in the cellar pull out a bottle and see how the big' tannins have evolved into a lovely silky
impression.

All the wines are available now on mail order so please do take advantage of the mixed case option available between brands ie Homer, Odyssey and Behave.

All the Best