An exciting range of wines, raising funds for the New Zealand native reptile,
Tuatara (Maori for ‘Spinybacked one’).

Spinyback by Waimea

Tuatara do everything in life very slowly. They are slow to mature at 15 years of age, slow to reproduce, breeding only every 3 or 4 years, and they have a long life-span of up to 100 years, maybe more.

Technically the Tuatara is not actually a lizard, but is classified as a “Sphenodontida”. The only other examples are fossils - the Tuatara is often referred to as a “living fossil”. Its lineage stretches back 225 million years - it is truly a survivor from the Dinosaur Age. It became extinct elsewhere in the world about 60 million years ago. The Tuatara’s eggs take more than a year to hatch and once hatched their life expectancy is 100 years of more. This precious reptile is now also under threat within New Zealand due to the impact by man and his introduced predators. Sightings by the public are becoming increasingly rare.

Waimea Estates is assisting Ngati Koata (“Narti Ko Arta”, one of Nelson’s local Maori tribes) in their efforts to protect this vulnerable and unique species. Ngati Koata are the "guardians" of Stephen's Island, an island off the coast of Nelson that is a dedicated Tuatara sanctuary.

Every purchase of Spinyback wines will provide direct funding to further Ngati Koata's education and conservation goals for the world’s only remaining living link to the dinosaur.

Waimea Estates and Ngati Koata thank you for your support!

www.tuataratrust.co.nz

New Zealand’s most popular wine variety due to the emphasis on drinkability. Nectarines, gooseberries, limes, and ripe capsicum on the nose, while the palate is characterised by toned-down acidity, fruit concentration, and mouth-filling texture. Even the Chardonnay drinkers love this one!

Marketing Printsheets Sauvignon Blanc: 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Fruit flavours of fresh fig, tropical fruit and cashews are underlaid by subtle winemaking nuances of vanilla, butterscotch, and ‘mealiness’. The palate is very refined, very structured and fruit concentration is carried through the palate by the creamy lees-derived texture.

Marketing Printsheets Chardonnay: 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

This well-priced Pinot Noir has spicy cherry, raspberry, and wild rose aromas with toasty, liquorice-y oak in support. On the palate the wine exhibits soft fruit tannins, delicate structure, and a good balance. A highly likeable, flavour packed, entry-level wine for consumers new to the delights of the Pinot grape.

Marketing Printsheets Pinot Noir: 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Aromas of pear, quince and spice lead enticingly into an off-dry palate that has both balance and body. This is a fruity Pinot Gris with an emphasis on likeability and drinkability – it is the perfect introduction for those new to the great charms of this variety.

Marketing Printsheets Pinot Gris: 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Concentrated tropical aromas of jasmine, mandarin and candied apple mingle with grapefruit
and honey flavours. The palate delivers a beautifully balanced combination of bright acidity
with some residual sweetness, giving the wine an intensity and length that is both mouth
filling and refreshing.

Marketing Printsheets Riesling: 2008 | 2007

This attractive blend of Cabernet Franc and Syrah has aromas of red berries, spice, dried herbs and black pepper, with succulent fruit tannins and toasty oak flavours on the palate. The fine-grained tannins give the wine structure, while the fruit concentration and higher pH give it depth and softness. A good accompaniment to a range of red meat and game dishes, plus the perfect wine for a barbeque.

Marketing Printsheets Cabernet Franc/Syrah: 2007 | 2006

Spinyback Merlot is a soft juicy red with blackcurrant flavours. Merlot's soft texture helps to give it a deliciously plummy, almost fruitcake-like flavour and a mellow smoothness which makes it more approachable than its sister grape, the Cabernet Sauvignon. Like cabernet, it has a nice grassy and bell-pepper-like character from a cool climate region like Nelson and it develops blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice-like characters when fully ripe.

Marketing Printsheet Merlot: 2007

NEW ZEALAND WINE

An exciting range of wines, raising funds for the New Zealand native reptile, Tuatara (Maori for ‘Spinybacked one’).