It has been a long hot summer with a few heatwaves and not enough rain. Many days of lovely blue skies and very brown lawns. There has been a lot in the news on forest fires and climate change, all food for thought and of concern. There has been lots of activity in the village in the run up to vendange. In the mornings, the tractors roar past early - as they have been doing for the past months. At the height of the heatwaves, there were tractors working in the vineyard in front of our bedroom windows from 4.30-5.00am in the morning - using the rest of the moonlight and the starlight, plus...
Our News
Cellar Door Updates – 10 Questions You Always Wanted to Ask…
Who is Domaine Thomson Wines? We are a tight knit team based in the Cromwell Basin of Central Otago – the prime ‘fruit bowl’ of New Zealand, growing some of the world’s best pinot noirs. We are a diverse and committed bunch – owners David and PM Hall-Jones live in Hong Kong although David was born and bred in Invercargill and PM was originally from Singapore. Claudio, who manages the Trade and Export sales, is from Brazil but was born in the US, and Simon, our Vineyard Manager, is also from Invercargill but came into the wine world via Papua New Guinea and Alexandra. Dean Shaw of the...
Food and Sake Adventures in ancient Kyoto
It was a beautiful clear winter day when our Shinkansen floated into Kyoto Station. As usual, we were lined up by the door, ready to jump out when it stopped. They only stop for two minutes each stop, so we were there holding onto the suitcases, as we didn’t plan to go onto Hiroshima, the next stop. Though I have heard that Hiroshima has excellent oysters and a special, Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki, which is very good. Another time……
Wine (and food) adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun
It was a cool and drizzly afternoon in Tokyo when we arrived at Haneda last week. There was no time to slurp up some ramen before rushing off to the sommeliers tasting in the afternoon, suitcases in tow.
Cellar Door Progress – Spring Has Sprung
Spring has definitely ‘Sprung’ here in Central Otago - the blossoms are out, lambs are bouncing in the green fields and the vineyard is bursting with activity. The vines made it through bud burst without any frost damage and are looking very happy, healthy...
Vendanges at Les Evocelles
Vendanges began at les Evocelles last Wednesday, 18th September, on a beautiful sunny day!
Simon Gourley is New Zealand’s Young Horticulturist 2019
Following Simon’s win of The Young Viticulturist of the Year in August, it was his turn to compete in the RNZIH Young Horticulturist of the Year competition in Auckland over the last 3 days - and he won!
Simon Wins National Young Viticulturist of the Year 2019
Simon Gourley, Vineyard Manager for Domaine Thomson Wines in Central Otago, has captured the title of New Zealand Wines Young Viticulturist of the Year for 2019. Domaine Thomson are proud to announce our very own Simon Gourley as Young Viticulturist of the Year 2019. So proud even that it bought a tear to the eye of owner David Hall-Jones when listening live from Invercargill.