Vigneron's Diary

Forage North Canterbury 2017

Forage North Canterbury 2017

This years event was another perfectly orchestrated, locally gathered feast.

Welcomed in true North Canterbury fashion by a blustery Nor Wester, a group of wine and food media, trade and chefs descended upon the region to spend the day fossicking about the countryside looking for food. Split into eight groups, they covered the hills and fields, down to the rivers, estuaries and out to sea.

The Bellbird Spring contingent got lucky with our rather glam itinerary which involved visiting Limestone Hills Truffiere, Waipara Honey and Guy’s parents for scones. We also picked plums, gathered watercress and raided the Bellbird Spring garden...


That Festive Feeling

That Festive Feeling

The sun has been shining, the vines are flowering and all is lush in the vineyard. It’s hard to avoid getting caught up in the seasonal delight that is Christmas and all that comes with a new year and new beginnings. So far,  I am pleased with how the growing season is coming along and the fruit set in the Pinot Gris, above, is looking excellent.


The latest reviews from Michael Cooper

The latest reviews from Michael Cooper

The Pruner’s Reward, Waipara Sauvignon Blanc
From Bellbird Spring, the 2016 vintage (4*) was fermented in tanks (80 per cent) and old oak casks (20 per cent). The best yet, it is medium to full-bodied, fresh and lively, with very good vigour and depth of ripe tropical-fruit flavours, showing a touch of complexity, and a dry, crisp finish.

Bellbird Spring Block Eight Pinot Gris
The 2013 vintage (4*) was estate-grown at Waipara, hand-harvested, and fermented and lees-aged in old oak casks. Showing good complexity, it is medium to full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe stone-fruit flavours, a distinct splash of...


Summer update from Bellbird Spring

Summer update from Bellbird Spring

Dear friends,

After two years of drought, the valley and vineyard are looking extraordinarily green this year. Steady, repeated rain has brought up soil moisture and given excellent shoot growth. Shoot thinning is the focus for the moment, this ensures good spacing between shoots and in turn lowers disease risks and moderates yield. The Block Eight Sauvignon Blanc from 2016 vintage has been fermented in old barrels and is going dry, soon we will be moving it from barrel to tank to prepare for bottling. Our newest release however is the Bellbird Spring Dry Pinot Gris 2016, this...


Decant Tasting

Decant Tasting

Decant in Christchurch hosts a tasting every week but not often with a local producer, so it was a privilege for Bellbird Spring to feature in store last Wednesday.

In typical Bellbird Spring fashion this was a wine and food focussed tasting with 8 wines specifically matched to 4 canapé style dishes. Some of these matches were perfect, others could have been improved and thus great discussion ensued regarding flavours, mouthfeel and texture. This is what makes for a good wine tasting, thanks for having us Decant.