Kelly Washington Wines, New Zealand

I first met Tamra and Simon when working at Enotria Wine Cellars in 2015. At the time, both were working for a big, sustainably driven NZ wine company (but don't hold that against them!!).

Tamra Washington started out, after graduating top of her class, with the brilliant Seresin wines in New Zealand (Owned by the wonderful Cinematographer Michael Seresin) then went on to work all over the world, including as Head Winemaker in Sicily at the tender age of 25. On returning to NZ 7 years later she helped set up Yealands Wines for Peter Yealand. However, she and Simon (more to come on him in a bit) always had a longing to create their own project, so Kelly Washington Wines was created with a focused philosophy of working with exceptional fruit, and to showcase and explore sub regionality of New Zealand's wine growing regions making wines of provenance.

In many cases, these special sites are farmed organically and bio-dynamically. Therefore it is important to take these philosophies into the winery and beyond.

I am so happy that Simon saw the light and left the world of Corporate Risk Management to travel the world. If he had not, he would not have met Tam. Simon is the Commercial brains. His travels allowed him to immerse himself in all things wine and is not perfectly equipped to help spread the word of Kelly Washington around the world. He is also a bloody good bloke to boot!

Vineyards

Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon - They source their Sauvignon Blancs from a mix of Southern Valley Vineyards (slightly higher elevation with clay sub soils) in Marlborough and the Central Wairau Valley Vineyard (lower elevation but more coastal thus alluvium soils which make it more free draining). Both vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically.

Pinot Blanc & Chardonnay - Both grapes are from the Rapaura Vineyards in Marlborough, a sheltered 3ha plot that is nice and warm to help achieve perfect ripeness. Oragnically and biodynamically farmed.

Pinot Noir - For Pinot, they head south to Central Otago and the Gibbston Vineyards where they are 350m above sea level. Extreme temperatures mean cool nights and hot days, but crucially, a long growing season to allow the Pinot Noir to ripen fully. None of this light bodied green Pinot here. 

Cabernet Franc - The Cabernet Franc hails from a plot in the incredibly special Bridge Pa Triangle appellation of Hawke's Bay. Red metal tinged soils combined with mature vines reveal a deeply perfumed and luscious wines.

These wines are super special. Yes they may be pricier than your standard NZ wines, but the focus on quality and place really rewards the drinker. I am a massive fan personally of the Chardonnay and the Pinot Noir (but then I did train in Burgundy so I am biased!!).