Sileni Seasonal Update                                                         Summer 2008

• Sileni Celebrates 10 Years 
• New Website on the Way 
• Sileni Launches Local’s Loyalty Programme 
• Database Promotion Winner 
• Our Winemaker Previews the Latest Releases 
• Export Update 
• What’s On in Hawke’s Bay? 
• Sileni People 
• Sileni Cellar Store
• What’s on the Menu at the Sileni Restaurant? 
• Sileni Culinary School 

POP THOSE CORKS! WE'RE CELEBRATING 10 YEARS ...

NEW WEBSITE

SILENI'S LOCAL LOYALTY PROGRAMME

Since launching our loyalty card for locals in September, Sileni customers have welcomed the opportunity to receive reward points, special offers and earn free gifts.

All you have to do is shop at our Cellar Store, Restaurant or on our website.   If you haven’t got yours yet, click here to learn more about the programme and to download your loyalty card.  

AND THE WINNER IS ...

Thanks to everyone who returned their updated database details to us.

Each respondent was entered into our draw to win an indulgent Hawke’s Bay wine and food getaway, with accommodation at Napier’s Crown Hotel and an unforgettable Sileni winemakers’ tour and wine-matched lunch.   Congratulations to our winner – Deb Hewitt of Hastings.

Deb says “I’m absolutely delighted! Certainly makes it worth your while to update your records doesn’t it?” We look forward to welcoming you at Sileni soon, Deb.

In future, ensuring we have your up to date contact details will be a breeze.  In fact, you’ll be able to logon to our website and update them yourselves.  

WINEMAKER'S PICS

For Summer I have selected a couple great summer drinking wines – the Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Both are food friendly, early drinking styles that are great additions to your summer BBQ’s and picnics. Or for those of you who are after a more complex wine - ‘The Triangle’ Merlot and Late Harvest Semillon from Sileni’s reserve Estate Selection range are approachable now but are also worthy of cellaring. However you better get in quick as these are strictly limited release wines. Enjoy!

Sileni Cellar Selection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - From a very warm and dry growing season in Marlborough, this wine shows lots of ripe tropical fruit characters with plenty of weight on the palate and the typical Sauvignon zing on the finish. Great drinking now and right through until the next ski season.

Sileni Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2008 - This was a great red wine vintage in Hawke’s Bay and the Pinot clearly shows that, with classic dark cherry aromas and flavours, sweet fruit on the palate and fine, soft tannins on the finish. Precocious enough to drink now, or put it away with confidence for 3 or 4 years.

Sileni Estate Selection Late Harvest Semillon 2008 - A little rain early in the vintage allowed some excellent botrytis to develop, giving this wine a tad more depth of flavour than most. Pineapple, stonefruit and hay are the dominant aromas, and the sweetness is neatly balanced with a clean, fresh acidity on the finish. Wonderful food wine, especially with creamy blue cheese.

Sileni The Triangle Merlot 2006 - Another very warm vintage is reflected in the ripe black plum and dark berry characters of this wine. Subtle cedary oak and a backbone of supple tannins complete a very classy package that will cellar comfortably for 7-10 years.  

EXPORT – SILENI TAKES ON THE WORLD

Did you know that Sileni is the leading New Zealand wine brand in both Russia and Thailand?

Our recent export growth means we now deal with a huge variety of countries and that means a lot of travel. To give you an idea, here is what the last couple of months have entailed.

Graeme Avery has been concentrating on Asia. In conjunction with attending the Olympics in Beijing, he has briefed hotel and restaurant staff in Thailand and held consumer and trade tasting events in the Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou areas.

The response in China was great – they appreciated Sileni’s food friendly wine styles, which suit the wide range of Chinese cuisines.  The fresh, intense fruit flavours of the wines, which are distinctive of New Zealand, were especially popular with the younger consumer.

Pip Austin has recently returned from 5 weeks in Asia and Europe. She participated in the 9th Annual World Gourmet Festival at the Four Seasons in Bangkok where Sileni Estates wines were matched with the cuisine of chef Siggi Hall from Iceland. Pip also hosted a sell-out Sileni wine dinner at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club situated at the heart of Hong Kong's spectacular harbour.

Pip also hit the road in Russia, visiting St Petersburg in the north and then heading south to Rostov on Don - making Sileni the first ever New Zealand winery to visit Rostov.

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WHAT'S ON

‘Spirits in Stone’ - Third Annual Exhibition of Shona Stone Sculpture
18 October 2008 – March 2009

Birdwoods Gallery presents its third annual exhibition of works from one of the world’s most collected sculpture forms – the beautiful and tactile Shona stone.

Louise and Bruce Stobart, owners of Birdwoods Gallery in Havelock North, returned to Zimbabwe in May this year to select a new collection of works for display and sale at Sileni Estate Winery. 

The sculptures exude a profound sense of stillness and contemplation.  The Shona believe everything has a spirit – from plants to animals and rocks – and their famous sculptors set out to ‘release’ the unique spirit that is captured in each piece of stone.

Harvest Hawke’s Bay – 7 & 8 February 2009

Sileni Estates invites you to enjoy their total wine and food experience this Harvest Hawke’s Bay Weekend!

Here is a taste of what’s happening:

• The Cellar Store will be open all weekend for wine tasting with the winemakers
• Cooking classes will be held daily featuring the freshest local produce
• Our new midsummer menu will be available in the restaurant (bookings essential)
• Live music each day - relax on the lawn and enjoy a delicious alfresco takeaway lunch
• Sileni’s popular Harvest Hawke’s Bay Artisan Food Market will be running all weekend

Visit the Harvest Hawke’s Bay website for more. visit the website.

Hawke's Bay Summer Events

As always, there is a lot going on in Hawke’s Bay over summer. You’ll find a great range of concerts, festivals and sport– including three international cricket matches of which Sileni is the proud wine sponsor. Here are a few to plan for:        

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SILENI PEOPLE - NEW GROUP VITICULTURIST APPOINTED

We have recently appointed our first Group Viticulturist – Stephen Bradley. 

Stephen has a Bachelor of Horticultural Science with First Class Honours from Lincoln University and a wealth of experience and technical knowledge.

He’s worked with HortResearch in Hawke’s Bay, followed by 6 years with Delegats in both Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough.  For the past 2 years he has been National Grape Supply and Technical Manager with Constellation in Marlborough.

Stephen will be based in Marlborough where he currently lives with his family. We look forward to having Stephen as part of our winemaking and viticulture team and to the input he will have in further raising the bar to ensure future success.

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THE SILENI CELLAR STORE – YOUR CHRISTMAS SAVIOUR!

There are lots of exciting new products coming into the Cellar Store and of course we have the new vintage release of wines available for tasting and purchase.

We can take care of a whole raft of Christmas gifts for you – both personal and corporate.

Our gifting service is just what you need – contact us at the Cellar Store, or visit our Online Gift Shop.

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SUMMER AT THE SILENI RESTAURANT 

Our restaurant is gearing up for the festive and summer holiday season.

We’d like to introduce our new Head Chef, Steve Cook. Steve stepped up to this role in July, after being with Sileni for a year. He’s thriving on the opportunity to express his own food ideas in a restaurant with Sileni’s excellent reputation.

November heralds the new Summer Menu. Steve’s favours a Mediterranean-style, using fresh seasonal produce, with flavours highlighted through simple presentation.

Ready to Party?

If you haven’t started thinking about Christmas functions for staff or clients yet – don’t wait too long! Contact us now to talk about our selection of function spaces and menus. 

What’s more, book your Christmas Function with us and you get the gifts...

• Spend between $800 and $1,500 and receive a Sileni Magnum
• Spend between $1,500 and $5,499 and receive 5% off the total cost of your function in Sileni vouchers
• Spend over $5,500 and receive 10% off the total cost of your function in Sileni vouchers
• You must quote the special when booking the function to receive gifts – so don’t be shy!

And of course no matter what time of year, Sileni is the perfect function or wedding venue.

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Culinary School

Our 2009 Culinary School Calendar will be out in February.

We’re offering a special price on the purchase of multiple classes – this could be the ideal Christmas gift for the foodie in your life! 

Contact us now to learn more.