Issue #1 November 2009

Robert Parker's New Zealand Scribe Lauds Destiny Bay

An “iron fist in a velvet glove” is how Neal Martin, Robert Parker’s reviewer for New Zealand wines, described Magna Praemia. In a feature article in the November issue of Caviar Affair magazine, Martin refers to Destiny Bay as one of those small producers, "aspiring for greatness through an artisan approach, pushing the envelope of New Zealand's wine."

Describing the operation and the three cabernet blends, Martin states that these wines, "are well worth seeking out," going on to describe Magna Praemia's “cashmere texture alluring and irresistible, reminiscent of a great Cabernet-based Right Bank wine like Château Figeac”.

Long considered the world’s most influential wine critic, Robert Parker and his team of wine critics, is the gold standard for wine reviews. “Medals and ratings are great, but nothing is better than generous praise from the world’s most distinguished wine critic”, said Sean Spratt, Director of Destiny Bay Wines, Ltd.  "We are specialists and we are small, so it is understandable how the wider fine wine community may not yet know our name. When someone like Neal Martin calls attention to our story it encourages us to keep working hard at what we do best - making elegant and expressive wine."

For the full story in Caviar Affair click here.

Destiny Bay’s Coup at Hong Kong Wine Exposition

Holding a bottle of the 2006 Magna Praemia, Mr. Raymond Yip, Director of the Hong Kong Wine Exposition poses for photos at the opening press conference on November 4th. Mr. Yip was quoted in several Chinese language papers proclaiming “Destiny Bay’s Magna Praemia is New Zealand’s most expensive and best red wine”. The same week, New Zealand’s own critic, Michael Cooper rated the 2006 Magna Praemia with five out of five stars in The NZ Listener.

Click here for Cooper’s review.

Two Firsts in Sustainability

In October, Destiny Bay became Waiheke Island’s first and New Zealand’s smallest winery to be certified as fully sustainable. “We are proud to receive this recognition” said Mark Boyle, Destiny Bay’s Assistant Vineyard Manager, “we believe that sustainable practices are not only good for the environment, but make good business sense as well.” 

For more information on Destiny Bay’s environmentally sensitive practices and Sustainable Winegrowing of New Zealand, click here.

En Primeur / Wine Futures Program Launched in U.S.

Destiny Bay's Director of Global Distribution, Brett Taylor, announced the successful launch of the Patron Club in the U.S. "We will be enrolling members for this special club in advance of the release of our 2006 wines in the U.S. slated for early next year. Also, we have reserved a limited amount of library, current and selected gift wine options for our new collectors in the U.S. as well as our New Zealand, U.K., Hong Kong and Australia Patron Club Members," said Mr. Taylor.

The Patron Club enables Destiny Bay collectors to secure annual allocations of each vintage in advance of release. Application for membership can be made on the Destiny Bay web site (see links below) or through selected trade partners.

For information and registration in the USA click here.

For information and registration in New Zealand, the U.K., Hong Kong and Australia click here.

Hat Trick for Destiny Bay

Michael Cooper's 2010 Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines gives three vintages in a row 5 stars. The 2005 Mystae, the 2006 Destinae and Magna Praemia, and the 2007 Magna Praemia earned five out of five stars. Cooper describes Destinae as a "classy, Cabernet Sauvignon wine" with "bright, rich colour, a fragrant, nutty bouquet, and highly concentrated, ripe berry fruit and spice flavours." He characterises Mystae as a "Bordeaux-like wine highly fragrant, complex, spicy and leathery, with good tannin support", and lauds Magna Praemia as "deeply coloured, lush and silky with gentle tannins and lovely depth, complexity, harmony and length."

Destiny Bay Joins Forces with Elite New Zealand Brands

Destiny Bay along with fellow Waiheke producer The Hay Paddock – a specialist in Syrah – will join forces with an elite group of iconic New Zealand wine brands to bring a new wine story to the world stage. The launch of "Trade Secret Wines" is scheduled for January and will offer trade partners an exclusive portfolio of New Zealand's finest wines from highly regarded artisan producers, each specialising in a single variety.

Owned and operated by its hand picked members, this collection of producers upholds the highest standards in winemaking, sustainable practices, and customer focus. Trade Secret Wines offers a single point of contact, assurances of annual allocation, consistency in pricing and a unique proposition: Access to New Zealand's most passionate and dedicated small-scale producers of rare and exceptional wines.

Advance information for Trade purchasers can be requested by clicking here.

Upcoming Events & Stories

San Francisco Tasting–Vintage 2006. Click here.
Vintage Update 2010
Editorial: The future of boutique brands