HAWKE’S BAY WINE AUCTION
Bringing together over 40 of our region's top winemakers
Winemakers put their hearts and souls into producing delicious wines. A winning vintage is a tribute to everyone involved in the winemaking process. This year’s New World Wine Awards once again features several Hawke’s Bay winners. Linda Hall asked the winners some questions. This week it’s Paul Mooney, winemaker at Mission Estate. Why do you think Mission Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 was a winner?
We had a good, hot summer and this resulted in an abundance of fruit with ripe yet elegant flavours. We made the right picking decisions, at critical stages as the grapes ripened on the vines, so as to harvest the fruit in optimal condition. This gave us the fruit that enabled us to make such an attractive wine.
Is there a certain stage of the winemaking procedure when you can tell the vintage you are making is going to be a good?
There are usually many stages. When we taste the fruit on the vine, we will know pretty well that we will produce something really good. Then later, as we taste the wines during fermentation, we get a pretty good idea of the potential. But it is usually a month or two after the ferments are over that we are certain of the quality.
What was it about the industry that drew you to it?
I have always had an interest in food and wine. However, the idea of being involved in the transformation of something derived from nature, into such a desirable and complex product, that gives pleasure to so many people, held a real fascination for me.
Do you have a favourite wine or vintage that you have made?
2007 and 2009 wines were pretty special. But there have been plenty of others. I just enjoy the variability from vintage to vintage, and the challenges that it puts in front of me to make a great wine.
What is the most rewarding thing for you about wine making?
The stimulation I get from working with people to achieve our company’s goals and meeting the expectations of those people who find enjoyment in drinking our wines and achieving this through sustainable practices.
What is the hardest thing about it?
There’s evolving complexities in winemaking. Variations in vintage can have a knock-on effect through the winery, and it can be difficult to predict the best ways to manage through that. Our 167-year history does give us great insight into how to approach these challenges, as odds are, we have experienced it before in our history, and can draw on that experience to address what is currently in front of us.
What’s your favourite wine to drink?
Wines with ripe flavours, yet that have freshness, texture and balance.
So far what has been the highlight of your career?
I’ve been making wine with Mission Estate for 40 years. Bringing our quality and awareness to world-class standards, and being able to extend our winemaking heritage into the future, and into offshore markets has been a tremendous highlight.
Tell us something surprising about yourself.
I collect and restore vintage motorcycles. I currently am working on a Norton International and a Velocette. I love them!