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Welcome to our first newsletter. So much is happening and we have so many people to inform that we thought a newsletter would make sense.
 Many people have called to ask how the spring frost affected the size and quality of the harvest. I'm pleased to report that while the harvest tonnage was down on last year, the unusually harsh conditions during the year have seen our vines produce very high quality fruit - particularly the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Unfortunately, as with 2006, the 2007 Pinot Gris crop will not meet existing demand and we will have to limit supply to all customers.
Many people are surprised to learn that Earnscleugh Valley has New Zealand's largest variance in temperature - with the lowest recorded temperature of -12°C (10°F) and the highest of 41°C (106°F) and with an average rainfall of only 260mm (10"), it is one of the driest parts of the country. It is not unusual on a summer day to see the temperature plummet from over 30°C (86°F) mid-afternoon to -1°C (30°F) overnight.
Fortunately Pinot grapes in particular thrive in these tough conditions, and produce wines of real texture and depth. The outstanding wines coming out of Central Otago have taken many by surprise but as early as 1895 Romeo Bragato (who was employed by the NZ Government to investigate wine production in NZ) recommended Central Otago as a prime wine-growing area "emminently suitable for the cultivation of the vine". Bragato was invited to New Zealand by the then Prime Minister Dick Seddon and wrote a report "Prospects of Viticulture and Instructions for Planting and Pruning". In all Bragato visited New Zealand three times at the request of the Government and in 1906 wrote a book "Viticulture in New Zealand" which outlined exactly what needed to be done to make fine wines in New Zealand.
It took almost a hundred years for the vision of Bragato to be realised and wonderful Central Otago wines are now being enjoyed around the globe.
We hope that Three Miners will continue to contribute to the development and reputation of the region and Earnsclaugh Valley in particular.
Question and Answer Corner
Q: When will Three Miners 2006 Pinot Noir be available - as the 2006 vintages from most other New Zealand producers are in the shops already?
A: The 2006 Pinot Noir vintage will be released on schedule in October this year. We prefer to leave our Pinot Noir to recover from "bottle shock" and mature in the bottle. We think you will find that the extra few months is worth the wait.
Q: I missed out on the Pinot Gris last year. How can I make sure I get some of the 2007 vintage, and when will it be available?
A: The 2007 Pinot Gris will now be delivered in January 2008. To ensure you receive some place an order on this website. We have committed to try and supply in full all orders of up to 2 cases received by 01 September. Larger orders will be scaled so everyone receives a fair allocation.
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