Welcome to the May 2010 issue of the Gladstone Vineyard Newsletter.

In this Issue

	A month of music... and more... in May
	Harvest update
	Friday night live
	Looking after the ladies
	Yarns in Barns
	And coming up later this winter
	Leo recommends: Harvest wine specials

In Other News

Watch out for exciting new brand developments at Gladstone Vineyard.  Coming soon!

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A month of music... and more... in May

It's a very busy and fruitful time for us.  Harvest, needless to say, takes precedence over all else.  And what a wonderful harvest this is turning out to be.  But while we're busy in the background making the wine, we have a great line up of events to keep you busy in the coming month and more...  

Harvest update

Harvest started later this year, and has been a relaxed prolonged affair.  So much so that Kyle, our vineyard manager managed a haircut during vintage (unheard of!) and Gerhard our winemaker, was bouncing up and down like Tigger because he hadn't had enough late nights!!

After a cool summer, autumn has been warm and benign and the fruit has ripened well.   The weather has been magnficent for the past month, enabling us to pick when we want to optimise fruit flavours and ripeness.   The longer, cooler ripening period encourages good flavour development in the grapes at lower potential alcohol levels, so we are optimistic for very good quality wines from 2010.

The bulk of the work is done, and as I write this (at the end of April), we expect to finish picking in the first week of May.

Friday night live

Every Friday night in May enjoy live music at Gladstone Vineyard Café to kick start the weekend.

• Friday 7th The Cool Cats - jazz
• Friday 14th The Verandah Band - covers
• Friday 21st Tess O'Hara - lounge
• Friday 28th Swing Reverie - French gypsy jazz

Playing from 6pm to 8pm, join us for happy hour from 6 - 7pm  (with a different wine special every week), then stay on for dinner and enjoy the fabulous new menu that Zane and Sam have put together. 

Bookings essential on 06 379 8563 or email us.

Looking after the ladies

We will celebrate Mothers and their families on Mother's Day (Sunday 9 May).  All Mums will get a complementary dessert when they lunch with us on Mothers Day.  What's more all the mothers will be entered into a draw to win a manicure from Kelli of Xtreme Nailz.    Bookings essential on 06 379 8563 or email us.

And more opportunities to pamper yourself... Starting in May, every third Thursday of the month,  "Ladies who Lunch" with us will receive a complimentary mini manicure!  So make your booking for Thursday 20th May now.

Yarns in Barns

For the first time, Gladstone Vineyard is proud to be part of the Yarns in Barns programme for 2010.

We will host "POEMS ON THE VINE", featuring Bill Manhire and Dame Fiona Kidman on Saturday 22 May, from 3pm.

Both Dame Fiona and Bill Manhire have recently published well-received poetry collections. They will read from these and talk about what inspires the writing of poetry with Fergus Barrowman, Victoria University Press publisher.

Ticket price includes one glass of Gladstone Vineyard wine. Tickets $10 from Hedley’s Bookshop in Masterton, ph 06 378 2875.

And coming up later this winter

We've got a lot coming up as the days get cooler, including All the World's a Stage with Ray Henwood,  Raybon Kan's 'The Discomfort Zone' and, in collaboration with Schoc Chocolate in Greytown, a Chocolate and Wine Matched Degustation Dinner.

More details to come.

Leo recommends: Harvest wine specials

The fantastic Gladstone Vineyard Rosé is almost sold out.  Perfect at any time of the year, for brunch, with pasta, as an aperitif, get some now and remind yourself of summer when you drink it.   Only $21 a bottle, it's highly recommended, check out wine judge, Raymond Chan's review of this wine.

And, last but not least, to help us make way for the exciting new 2009 wines, we have a very special offer for our newsletter friends and cellar door visitors.

Gladstone Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008 is going out the door, for the month of May, at only $159 / 12 bottle case, or $89 for a 6 bottle case.  Normally priced at $23 a bottle, this is an exceptional offer.  Don't be fooled by needing to drink 'young' Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is in the prime of its life.  With stunning minerality and palate weight, Gladstone Vineyard's 2008 Sauvignon Blanc will enhance any meal with its elegance and balance.  Don't miss out.  Email us or phone us on 06 379 8563 to arrange delivery of your case now.  Limit of 2 cases per customer.