“The Hawkes Bay Province is, in my opinion, the most suitable for growing vines I have visited.” Romeo Bragato, after his nationwide tour of New Zealand in 1895.
160 years later, the time is ripe to honour one of New Zealand’s oldest and most highly acclaimed wine regions, and to celebrate its enduring and colourful history.
Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay, by Mark Sweet
The time is indeed ripe to honour one of New Zealand’s oldest and most highly acclaimed wine regions. Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay is a beautiful new 200-page hard cover book, released by BayBuzz this November 2015. It’s a celebration of an enduring and colourful history.
Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay pays homage to the rich tales of the vineyards, wineries and people who have developed the wine industry in Hawke’s Bay, from humble beginnings in the 1850s into today’s multi-million dollar darling of the world wine stage.
Writer Mark Sweet has woven together meticulously researched historic fact, and personal recollections from dozens of key players interviewed. Creating an authoritative portrayal of New Zealand history and an engaging, entertaining read.
The stories are brought to life by a stunning array of images. Glorious photographs taken in Hawke’s Bay by Tim Whittaker, and an eclectic collection of archival images sourced by Susie Devonshire from private and public collections throughout New Zealand.
Wine lovers will revel in the insiders guide to the region, by Peter Cowley of Te Mata Estate, and appreciate the personal note in Bob Campbell MW’s foreword.
This is a book with wide appeal. Whether readers are history fans, wine buffs or simply love intriguing pictures and a good yarn, this captivating journey through the romance of wine in Hawke’s Bay is sure to enthral.
Available online www.winestorieshb.co.nz November 2015 – RRP $69
Text – Mark Sweet
Winemaker’s View – Peter Cowley, Te Mata Estate
Photographs – Tim Whittaker
Archival Photographs – sourced by Susie Devonshire
Publisher – BayBuzz Ltd
Printed in New Zealand – Printlink
ISBN 978-0-473-33348-5
Jacket Cover Image: AJ Vidal and family, courtesy Vidal Estate.
For More Information on Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay
Contact: Susie Devonshire, Project Manager
021 751 149
info@winestorieshb.co.nz
About the Wine Stories from Hawke’s Bay team:
Mark Sweet – Writer
Napier born Mark Sweet took up writing after selling Pacifica restaurant in 2007. Previously he established Two Fat Ladies restaurant in Glasgow (1988) after working as a valuer in Hong Kong. His first novel Zhu Mao was published in 2011; his next, set in Hawke’s Bay in the 60’s, is on the way.
Peter Cowley – Winemaker
Peter fell for wine in the early 70’s when (while at school) he was a waiter at the Hungry Horse restaurant. He has a chemistry degree, a post-graduate diploma in wine and has studied plant science. Since 1984 Peter has worked with the longstanding winery and vineyard team to oversee the creation of Te Mata Estate’s range of quality wines. www.temata.co.nz
Tim Whittaker – Photographer
A camera in his hand at the age of 12, Tim is always looking through a lens. 18 years a photojournalist and the last 15 years developing his own business expanding the digital horizons into drone and aerial panorama photography. www.tim.co.nz
Tom Belford – Project Champion
Publisher and editor of BayBuzz magazine, with a background in politics, public advocacy, fundraising and media. Tom brought together the team, master-minding the concept of Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay, from dream to reality. www.baybuzz.co.nz
Susie Devonshire – Project Manager/Archivalist.
Former lawyer, mother of 3, and jill-of-all-trades, Susie is passionate about Hawke’s Bay, great design, and the written word.
Max Parkes – Designer.
Max owner of Unit Design lives and works in Hawke’s Bay. www.unitdesign.co.nz