Buckingham Schenk adds to New Zealand line-up

UK wine supplier Buckingham Schenk is unveiling a new brand from New Zealand producer Rod McDonald Wines at its first New Zealand Winegrowers tasting later this month.

The new ‘Mister’ brand from family-owned Rod McDonald Wine comprises six wines – a Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé and Syrah – from Hawkes Bay which the company claims to be “left of centre” and “modern to the core”.

Retailing at around £12-13, it is set to target New Zealand wine consumers who want something a bit different and quirkier, a spokesman from Buckingham Schenk said, and is aiming squarely at the the multiple and specialist retail channel.

The style is more modern, and because of its Hawkes Bay provenance, is different to the  majority of New Zealand wines on the supermarket shelves, which tend to come from Marlborough or Central Otago, he added.

Winemaker Rod McDonald set up the company in 2006 after nine years as winemaker at Vidal Estate in Hawke’s Bay, where he was named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year.

Buckingham Schenk is also presenting Rod McDonald Wines’ premium brands Te Awanga, grown on volcanic soils, and its Trademark Syrah and Chardonnay, along with a selection of premium and single vineyard wines from organic winery Rock Ferry Wines, which has vineyards in Marlborough and Central Otago.

Craig Durham, managing director at Buckingham Schenk said the company was thrilled to be there with two “excellent producers” to its first outing to the New Zealand Winegrowers tasting, which takes place on 16 January at the RHS Lindley Hall in London.

“They are both showing new wines that demonstrate the breadth and diversity that New Zealand has to offer,” he said.