News
May 18, 2009
The Habitat Enhancement Award sponsored by Spy Valley Wines
For 15 years the Plaisier family has been setting an outstanding example of preserving native vegetation in the outer reaches of Pelorus Sound. Thirty eight hectares of this 42 hectare property has been legally protected under a QEII conservation convenant. Over 92 native species grow here including tawa, hinau, kohekohe, matai, rimu and mixed beech. Each week the whole family checks 250 traps. Targeted pests are possums, rats, goats, pigs, ferrets/stoats, deer and wild cats. An especially built enclosure houses a Marlborough green gecko and crowned kakariki breeding programme.
Tui Nature Reserve hosts a small eco tourism business. Buildings are sympathetic to the landscape and not visible from the bay.
Congratulations once again to the Plaisier family, who are living a lifestyle that many people probably think exists only in a TV reality show! The mark this mother, father and their children are making on their corner of the Marlborough Sounds is an inspiration to those of us who sometimes despair that there is little an individual can do to make the world a better place.
Please see Our Environment page for more on Spy Sustainability news.
News Articles for May, 2009
18/05/2009
The Habitat Enhancement Award sponsored by Spy Valley Wines
Congratulations to the winner of the Habitat Enhancement award: for Brian and Ellen Plaisier and their children, conservation is not a weekend hobby but total immersion. The family runs the Tui Nature Reserve in outer Pelorus Sound, protecting native vegetation, controlling pests and breeding kakariki and geckos.
12/05/2009
Spy Valley wins cellar door of the year!
Mystery shoppers assessed the standard of service they received at cellar doors throughout Marlborough during February and March '09. Spy Valley managed to come out on top to become joint winner of cellar door of the year!
05/05/2009
Spy Valley wins gold in Moscow wine competition
Our wines are now entered in worldwide wine competitions. The latest competition in Moscow was the Vinnaja Karta, where our Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling won gold medals, our Gewurztraminer won a silver medal and our Pinot Noir won a bronze medal.
01/05/2009
Pinot Noir 2010
Spy Valley is involved in the Pinot Noir 2010 programme, which has just been finalised and released. The line-up of speakers is fantastic and include Matthew Jukes, Simon Tam, Leslie Sbrocco, Nick Stock, James Halliday, Bob Campbell MW, Tim Atkin MW and Jamie Goode - and others. Click on the logo for more information.