The history of Hawke's Bay's internationally acclaimed wine industry has been told at last. In a beautiful hard-cover book, published by BayBuzz this October.
It's a lively account. Writer Mark Sweet sets out the evolution from Hawke's Bay's first vines into today's multi-million dollar industry. Sweet deftly supplements well-researched historic fact, with stories of Hawke's Bay's iconic wineries and personalities, and personal anecdotes about key individual players and events.
Peter Cowley of Te Mata Estate discusses the region's natural attributes for grape-growing, and explains the winemaking process in a major 'soil to bottle' feature.
Stunning images showcase the stories, with a mix of evocative archival images, and extensive original photography shot by Tim Whittaker.
Introduced by Bob Campbell MW, the book project has received full co-operation and support from the wine industry, including an advance of funding from WineWorks, which enabled the project start-up.
A tight team of designer Max Parkes of Unit Design, Project Manager Susie Devonshire and Printers Print Link have kept this high-end project 100% NZ kiwi-made. There's a limited first print-run of 3000 copies. Project Champion Tom Belford of BayBuzz and Devonshire are handling the marketing of this long-awaited book.
Upon hearing that Mark Sweet was about to write a book on the history of Hawke's Bay wine, I was excited! Upon reading the first edition all my expectations were exceeded. From historical to present day, this book has had an amazing amount of research and I am privileged to be a part of it. I love the photographs, both old and new – they certainly capture the quirky, passionate and dedicated winemakers/ideals of the Hawke’s Bay wine industry. This book is a treasure.
TIM TURVEY – CLEARVIEW ESTATE WINERY
This well-researched book is a must for those wishing to know more about the Hawke's Bay wine industry – its history, wine pioneers and current producers and their outstanding wines. The oldest wine region in New Zealand deserves wider understanding and recognition. This book provides that.
GRAEME AVERY – SILENI ESTATES
Wine: Stories from Hawke's Bay is an engaging read which I heartily recommend for the depth and character it adds to the Hawke’s Bay wine experience. The chapters on the history of Hawke's Bay wine are well-researched and full of new and interesting information that both acknowledge and honour the early pioneers of the region's wine, while the chapters on recent times add great currency and personality to the Hawke's Bay wine story.
ALWYN CORBAN – NGATARAWA WINES
Some fantastic historical photography coupled with a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the history of New Zealand or wine.
SIR GEORGE FISTONICH – VILLA MARIA WINES
A splendid new book ... an extraordinary trove of images that include archival shots, pics from personal collections, a selection of Marti Friedlander photographs taken in the 1960s and a superb set of portraits by Tim Whittaker shot especially for the publication. The text, well researched and written by Mark Sweet, offers great insight into this important region. New Zealand wine may have been born in Northland, but it was raised in Hawke's Bay.
JOHN SAKER – CUISINE
For many people, this will be a coffee table book. But it is more than this and deserves a thorough read by anyone interested in New Zealand wine. It does credit to Hawke's Bay and its wine industry, past and present. The passion, perseverance and potential of the people are revealed. [Mark Sweet's] intimate knowledge and personal connections with many of the people telling their stories comes through clearly in the way he has captured the essence of his subjects' tales, and how the people fit into the overall picture.
RAYMOND CHAN – WINE ADVISOR & JUDGE
Napier born Mark Sweet took up writing after selling Pacifica restaurant in 2007. Previously he established Two Fat Ladies restaurant in Glasgow (1988) after working as a valuer in Hong Kong. His first novel Zhu Mao was published in 2011; his next, set in Hawke's Bay in the 60's, is on the way.
Peter fell for wine in the early 70's when (while at school) he was a waiter in the Hungry Horse restaurant. He has a chemistry degree, a post graduate diploma in wine and has studied plant science. Since 1984 Peter has worked with the longstanding winery and vinyard team to oversee the creation of Te Mata Estate's range of quality wines.
A camera in his hand at the age of 12, Tim is always looking through a lens. 18 years a photojournalistand the last 15 years developing his own business expanding the digital horizons into drone and aerial panorama photography.
Wine: Stories from Hawke's Bay is published by BayBuzz Ltd
Wine: Stories from Hawke's Bay is an enlightening portrayal of the history and people of the region's wine industry, told in an entertaining and interesting manner. The narrative traverses the entire history of grapegrowing and winemaking in Hawke's Bay, bringing to light amusing recounts of events and the rationale behind many significant decisions. The photographs are exceptional, with truly amazing archive stills that delight the reader. From the early pioneers to the modern era, the toils and tribulations along with the rewards and successes are eloquently documented in this excellent and highly readable book.
TONY BISH – SACRED HILL
I heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in a well-researched piece of important wine history, a glimpse into many of the characters who have helped build a thriving wine industry, a winemaker’s view of what makes the region and its wines special, or a beautifully illustrated adornment for a coffee table.
I love the illustrations! They’re a mix of blurry old images rescued from shoe boxes to sensitively shot portraits and some of the most spectacular aerial vineyard views I've seen.
This book reminded me what a great wine region [Hawke's Bay] is and how it is populated by a great bunch of winemakers and viticulturists. I learned a lot from it. It's a great read.
BOB CAMPBELL – MASTER OF WINE
The colourful history of winemaking in Hawke's Bay, and the equally interesting personalities behind it, have been bottled in book form to create a rich, literary vintage.
ROGER MORONEY – HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
Estimated postage
Poppies
Havelock North
Wardini Books
Havelock North
Bellatino's
Havelock North
Take Note
Havelock North
Whittaker's
Havelock North
Whitcoulls
Throughout NZ
Paper Plus
Taradale
Total Food Equipment
Napier
Paper Plus
Napier
Beattie & Forbes
Ahuriri
MTG
Napier
Unity Books
Auckland & Wellington
Plaza Books
Hastings
Paper Plus
Hastings
Hastings City Art Gallery
Hastings
Paper Plus
Waipukarau
Muirs Bookshop
Gisborne
Arcadia Books
Newmarket
University Bookshop
Auckland
Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay
is also available at most wine cellars in Hawke’s Bay.
Contact us at info@winestorieshb.co.nz for further details.
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