We received our last consignment of grapes into the winery in the third week of March and with all the wines now safely in barrel or tank, we can catch our breath and contemplate the remainder of the year.

Vintage News

The Hunter Valley experienced a lovely Spring with rain virtually falling when it was needed, warm, but not hot, days. Ideal conditions for growing perfect grapes.

This weather pattern continued up until early January.

We were then subjected to 3 weeks of extremely hot weather. There was no relief in the form of thunderstorms with our total January rainfall reaching only 2.4mm.

We harvested the white varieties, in excellent condition, late January into early February and then managed to get some fantastic Shiraz harvested prior to quite extensive rain falling. Overall, we rate the Hunter vintage as being very, very good to excellent.

We purchased fruit from Young (Hilltops region) again this year. After an extremely dry year in that region we received grapes that were much smaller in size but having intense colour and flavour.

We rate this vintage from Hilltops as also being very, very good to excellent.

We had some lovely follow up rain post harvest and the Hunter again looks as good as you will ever see it.

One of the regular discussions we have had with people visiting our stand at Eveleigh Farmers Market is about the current and predicted future state of the Australian economy.

The GFC (Global Financial Crisis) has not really affected Australia, as yet, but all of us are concerned at what the future may bring and thus we are all being understandably cautious.
Visitors to our stand are telling us that they are changing the ways they live their lives and not spending the way they used to. In particular, they are telling us that they are not eating out as much as before!

They are coming to the market and buying beautiful fresh produce such as shellfish, farm fresh eggs, mushrooms, lamb, beef, pork vegetables, desserts, chocolates and fruit and getting together with a few friends to celebrate.

It reminds us of ourselves as newly weds when we and our friends could not afford to eat out. We held a dinner once a month, setting a theme for the night such as French or Russian or Spanish etc. The couple hosting the dinner prepared the main course and the other guests brought pre-dinner nibbles, entrees, desserts etc. Everyone supplied their own wine and we had some absolutely fabulous times.

Why don’t you try it!

Pick up all you need for a great dinner in a leisurely cruise around the Eveleigh Market.

Why not arrange to meet your friends there for early morning coffee, plan the dinner together, buy the freshest ingredients and come to the Mistletoe stand to select some lovely wines to complement the food you will prepare.

We look forward to welcoming you!

At the Eveleigh Farmers Market

Major changes to the liquor laws in NSW came into effect from July 1st 2008. Under these new laws companies holding a Producers License are now able to conduct tastings and sell wine by the unopened bottle at various events including Farmers markets.

Mistletoe was invited to be involved in the new Eveleigh Farmers market with the inaugural event being held just prior to Christmas 2008. We were so positive about the future success of this market that we immediately signed on to be there every Saturday.

We invite you to visit us at the Eveleigh Farmers markets. You will not be disappointed.

The authenticity of the produce is vetted by the Market organisers and only the best of producers are represented.

You will find the best potatoes you have eaten in years at the Highland Gourmet Potatoes stand! Other producers include Kinkawooka Mussels, Clams and prawns fresh from St. Vincents Gulf in South Australia, Eumundi Smokehouse, Mirrool Creek Lamb producers, Hunter Valley Meat company, Binnorie dairy from Hermitage Road Pokolbin (near Mistletoe), Sonoma Bread Company etc.

You will also encounter a fantastic array of seasonal fruit and vegetables, flowers, chocolates, patisserie, organic produce etc.

Visit the Mistletoe stand and enjoy a free taste of our latest releases and purchase a few (or more) bottles to take home.

It is a great place to catch up with friends with coffee and food providers galore. Café seating is located throughout the market which is undercover.

Open from 8m until 1 pm every Saturday.

More details at www.eveleighmarket.com.au

We look forward to seeing you there!

Our winemaker, Nick Paterson, has been nominated for the 2009 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Rising Star Winemaker Award.

We have just been notified that Nick’s nomination has been accepted and that he is one of 3 young winemakers competing for this prestigious award.

The winner will be announced at a gala dinner in the Hunter Valley on May 29th 2009.

We wish Nick every success in the judging.

His track record with Mistletoe’s wines suggest he has a very good chance of winning this award!

Melbourne & Sydney Good Food & Wine Shows.

Mistletoe has joined together with a group of the very best young Hunter winemakers to form a wine promotion and marketing group branded as “New Generation Hunter”.

Our first joint promotion will be at the Melbourne Good Food and Wine Show which is being held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from Friday June 5th until Monday June 8th.

We shall be manning a joint stand at this show and following this up with an appearance at the Sydney Good Food and Wine Show at the Sydney Convention Centre Darling Harbour from Friday July 3rd until Sunday July 5th.

The other members of New Generation Hunter are Thomas Wines, David Hook Wines. Meerea park, De Iulius Wines, and Margan Family Wines.

Please see us at the New Generation Hunter stand and taste some of the very best wines available from the Hunter Valley.

More information about these two events can be found at
www.goodfoodshow.com.au