The Vineyard, Waitaki Braids

Michael McGrath, my business partner at The Providores, and I joined forces with winemaker Michelle Richardson and Auckland business man Steve Cozens in the formation of the Waitaki Braids vineyard. We launched it by drinking our first vintage, Pinot Noir, at a canapé party for 100 guests on the banks of the beautiful Waitaki River in April 2006. I was able to source many regional delicacies through local organic honey maker Kate White and her husband Pete Irving (www.cloverhoney.co.nz) and it's partly because of the food that is available locally that we became interested in investing in the region. So, on the banks of the fast flowing river I served: fresh salmon sashimi (the fish being caught minutes before in the river), blackened locally farmed Ostrich wrapped around Waitaki plums, salmon marinated in soy and Waitaki wasabi, slow braised local Merino shoulder spring rolls … the list goes on. Needless to say the produce is fresh, tasty, pure and delicious – just like the wines Michelle has been producing.

On Waitangi Day, February 6th, 2007, we launched our first vintage of Riesling at my restaurant in Auckland, dine by Peter Gordon. Again we served local produce which included: seared Waitaki wagyu with Waitaki wasabi, Manuka smoked Waitaki salmon on Waitaki pea risotto, crispy Waitaki pork belly on minted Waitaki cauliflower cous cous, Waitaki stone fruit crumble, Waitaki Karaka boysenberry triffle… again the list was vast.

Since then Michelle has also created a gorgeous Pinot Gris and 2010 saw our Rosé on the menus at my various restaurants.

To see what the critics say about our wines, and to know a bit more about the vineyard, check out www.waitakibraids.co.nz