Blog

23 November 2012

Spring brings new growth...

Yes, the vineyards are vibrant with new growth, the staff are flat out, the Prop will be home any day now, in other words it's all on.

The corollary to this, and the downside as far as the women of the region go, is that it means it's also Movember, and the boys are at it again, growing moustaches as fast as they can for charity – prostate cancer.

From left to right, with their chance of a win:

• Simon -- No new ground broken here, this is pretty much the all-year-round fungus, and that's probably as good as it gets. Outside chance, but could improve.
• Tim -- Doing alright. Well shaped, with reasonable growth rate. Could be a reasonable bet.
• Mike -- Top growth rate, but likely to lose points with the addition of the 70s metal/ Last Emperor extensions. Worth a punt if he takes some fashion advice.
• Keith -- As last year, simply desperate. Will be tested for HGH at the end of the month and likely for disqualification at that time. A poor bet.

In the meantime, they are doing all they can to get over the line again at the end of the month. Judges this year to be announced later.

The Freefencer Departs

Last week, Nathan packed his bags, and set off for the wide wide world. Puzzlingly, he has elected to leave the lavish comforts of bachelor TP life  in favour of married life in Greymouth, on the West Coast. And a new career in fencing.

As is the custom, we threw a commemorative lunch for Nathan at TPHQ. Nathan (at the rear of the table) made the longest speech in our long history of long speeches. Mike replied at length, followed by Jacqui at longer length, followed by just about everyone else at endless length, by which time it was time to go home.

But first it was time to cut Nathan adrift. Hardly hyperventilating at all, and with a few fond tears showing for his immense gratitude for all the good times, Nathan walked away bravely into the scary future. Note he is wearing (a gift from TP) his leather fencing apron. Which is not unlike a Freemason's apron, except for fencers. Maybe they have a Freefencers' Lodge in Greymouth, who knows?

Staff waved Nato farewell. More tears. And got back to the wine as soon as he was out of sight. We all wish Nato, and his bride, all the very best.

Sad to see a promising career in viticulture abandoned just like that and so soon. Secretly, however, we think that the glitzy, glamorous allure of the world of farm fencing will eventually wear thin, and Nathan plus Mrs will be back in the familiar world of the grape before too long, leaving the bright lights of Greymouth behind him.

Greymouth ....

We S---. You Not.

We have mentioned before that we are enthusiasts for matters Bio-Dynamic at Two Paddocks, and Mike in particular is gung-ho about this approach. He is the King of Compost. We go the hard yards to ensure healthy soils, healthy vines, and ultimately healthy wines.

We’ll spare you a lot of the photos of what we do in this regard: frankly they are not for the faint hearted. And it’s fairly technical too – the Prop gets a little heavy lidded when staff get too engrossed in the subject.

But here is a glimpse – mixing CPP (Cow Pat Pit) in the bath; made from fresh manure, egg shell flour and basalt rock dust (on the left).

And digging up our Preparation 500 (made from cow horns and cow manure) which we bury in the autumn, and dig up for use in the spring (on the right).

We could go on about Rudolf Steiner, full moons, the rhythms of.....zzzz....zzzz....gaaahh .... No!  No. I was just resting my eyes. Honest!

Two Paddocks in Northern Ireland

Well, who knew wine selling was such a serious business? Here the Prop is employing the hard sell in Belfast. Many thanks to The Ivory. Great night.

And Larks

For two far too brief weeks in the Spring, our lilac comes powerfully into flower, at about the same time the migratory birds are back in full force. The perfume is almost overpowering, the visuals psychedelic.

Mike took Greens Man Keith and Long Short Pants Man Tim to the Lilacery, for a brief photoshoot this week.

Keith stays in character throughout, showing considerable Botanical skills, well demonstrated for the camera.  His companion however, the one closely related to the Prop (see fig 2) was  unable to continue to stay serious. Oh well ...

Imogene Poots, Actor

Ladies, Gentlemen and Denizens of the Dayglo! Tonight a True Treasure of the British Cinema, spinning phonograph recordings for our collective pleasure! Make way, if you will, and a roof-lifting hand please, for the Utterly Delightful, .. Miss Imogen Poots>>>!

13 October 2012

The Bard of Vino – his  work.

Curtis Marsh, that splendid figure of the World of Wine, writes about ... us!

We yield to no one in being his greatest fans.

We think you might enjoy the article. Click here.

In London

Well, you know us – we never enter our wine into competition, ever. Somehow, however, our 2010 Two Paddocks slipped through the gate, and found itself at the extremely prestigious International Wines and Spirits Competition in London this year (...Jacqui?). And lo, we win gold!

We leave it for the judges to describe this wine, and sit back glowing with false modesty and validation of all we thought of our 2010.

  Gold Outstanding -- Two Paddocks Pinot Noir 2010    Wow! Nose is a bouquet of floral aromas, violet and rose, changing into dried herb and bergamot, before turning dark and smoky. All these scents darting through a sweet, rich and inviting core of cherry and framboise fruit. These elements combine in the mouth to dance a sweet/savoury tango. Twirling and stamping a very authoritative presence, with effortless grace. Pretty darn good stuff.

Mike, Dean, and all our team, take a bow! Okay, that’ll do. Let’s all look humble again ...

We are thrilled, actually.

*(Webmaster's note: It's not just "gold," it's "gold outstanding" which is the top prize! Go team!)

Staff Shattered!

Shakira, our cow, in spite of weeks in the connubial company of our neighbour's bull, it seems is NOT in calf. She has just been putting on weight. And pulling our legs as a consequence. Another phantom pregnancy.

We are not a little disappointed. Our plans for fresh milk are put back for another twelve months.

So that's it for honeymoons for our cow. Next time (November) it will be the vet, and the intervention of veterinarian science. No more leaving things to romance. AI,

This photo is from last year, incidentally, when she still had her girlish figure.

Fancy as ...

We have some really old pear trees on the property at Redbank, maybe two dozen of them. Ancient really, as fruit trees go. Gnarly and grizzled, yet bountiful. But every spring, they put the years behind them, and dress in their finest. Rather like lovely old girls putting on something frothy and white, joining the party, and ... well ... feeling young again.

1 October 2012

The Proprietor's Essential Beach Boys

Stung by repeated accusations of idleness, the torpid and horizontal Proprietor slouches to the stage to finally offer up his Best of the Beach Boys. No need for hush ...carry on ... Press here to go straight to the Dayglo.