11/11/09 today we have just been informed it has received its first independent review and it took GOLD at the 2009 Air New Zealand Wine Awards, this is New Zealand’s Premier Wine Competition and in line with the London IWC. As I suggested, this is a great wine, and to take the Pinot Noir Gold with so much competition at the National Show, sets it on top of the tree regardless of price, and also sets a benchmark for future vintages.

I tasted this at the London Wine Show in April 2009 amongst a flight of 60 Pinot Noirs and this was one of the stand-out wines for me, it was their first ever showing outside NZ; so when I found out they didn’t have a UK distributer in place I signed them up. I think it was a great decision, and I’m looking forward to many more wines from them.

This outstanding Pinot Noir wine is at its best with any game bird, turkey, pheasant, partridge, grouse or woodcock, even osso buco alternatively roasted Chicken or chicken as in coq au vin or better still capon.
 

Vintage summary 2008
2008 marks a landmark year - our first vintage. The growing season was perfect. Enough rain in the spring to give us good moisture levels in the ground and together with warm temperatures ensured the canopies remained in good health. Fruit set was excellent. The weather continued to be a classic for Central Otago, with warm dry conditions continuing well into the season. Yields were managed to a very moderate average of 2.0 kg per vine following extensive shoot thinning, leaf plucking and fruit thinning; this also helped ensure the young vines remained in balance. Cooler nights closer to harvest slowed the ripening process but gave us the diurnal variation in temperatures that makes for great Pinot Noir. We began harvest on the 1st April. Harvest proceeded over a two week period; each clone picked separately and at an optimal level of ripeness. Harvest was completed on the 14th April.

Technical notes
Clones: 113, 115, Abel
Hand harvested
Chilled overnight prior to destemming 
15% whole bunch fermentation
30 days of fermentation in small open topped fermenters including 10 days pre fermentation maceration 
Extended ageing on lees with battonâge and no SO2 
Barrel aged in 40% new oak for 10 months 
The barrel selection blended, lightly egg white fined and bottled in March 2009 
14% Alc/Vol
Production limited to 500 cases

The Archangel Story....
This is a true tale of love, hope and survival. Destiny at work. It begins 70 years ago with two young girls, Halina and Stefania. Forced from their homes in war-torn Poland they find themselves in Arkhangel’sk, a labour camp in remote Siberia. Though they had not yet met, both make a long and courageous journey to freedom that takes them across continents, to eventually meet in England, where a life long friendship begins. Sustained by the possibility of a better life these brave women survive to each start a family of their own.

Serendipity followed when Janusz and Mary meet in 1975. The son and daughter of our two heroines, who had known each other as children, and would fall in love years later. Who was to know that Halina and Stefania’s lives would continue to intertwine into the next generation.

This legacy of hope and dreams is the foundation and inspiration for our vineyard in Central Otago, New Zealand. It’s where the story continues to unfold.

Meet Mary and Janusz Zurakowski

A fortuitous meeting with an affable Englishman brought Mary and Janusz to Central Otago. Janusz had spent his teenage years there and yearned to return. After 25 years working in the art and oil industries, they decided it was time to begin a new chapter of their story. They wanted to create something together – a vineyard to celebrate past and future generations. So they planted vines on the Queensberry Terraces. Destiny had again laid its path.

The Archangel Management Team

Dr David Jordan is Archangel’s Consultant Viticulturist.

John Belsham is our Consultant Winemaker, overseeing the winemaking process with Dan and Sarah-Kate Dineen.

Gary Ford and the team from Vinewise Viticulture manage the day-to-day running of the vineyard.

What these fine people have in common is an extensive knowledge of wine growing and winemaking, and a relentless fervour for making exceptional wine.