Organic Wine Week Pop Up Showcase Sept 19th-26th
In Celebration of Organic Wine Week
A nationwide series of pop-up dining, tasting events and wine features showcasing a stellar line up of organic wines from Loveblock and Zephyr.
Ben Glover (Owner/Winemaker of Zephyr Wine) and Erica Crawford, (Owner/Creator of Loveblock Wine) are partnering for a series of pop-up tastings and features, dining events, and even taking over a bar - all in the aid of celebrating NZ Organic Wine Week from Sept 19th-26th.
Both Zephyr and Loveblock take a hands-off approach to winegrowing, nurturing the soil and grapevines as naturally as possible without any unwanted “noise”. These single vineyard Marlborough wines are created with thoughtful intent, and a strong sense of place.
The collaboration will give people in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch the chance to sample and experience some of the finest organic wine New Zealand has to offer - proving that organic wines absolutely rock it with the best!
'Meet the Maker' Dining Events
A series of lunch and evening dining events where consumers meet the makers of Zephyr & Loveblock Wine - Ben Glover and Erica Crawford.
6 Organic wines matched with food pairings/courses.
Ben and Erica sharing stories from their own organic winemaking journeys.
Auckland
Akarana – 12pm Sunday 19th
Hugos Cellar Club Takeover – 5.30pm Tuesday 21st
Wellington
Field and Green – 12pm Thursday 23d
Noble Rot – 6pm Thursday 23rd
Christchurch
Fiddlesticks – 12.30pm Thursday 24th
Wine Features
A chance for people to try and experience Zephyr & Loveblock's organic wines by the glass at a selection of restaurants and bars across the country.
Selected venues nationwide.
Wine Tastings
Ben and Erica will lead consumers through a flight of 6 wines from Zephyr & Loveblock - sharing with consumers all there is to know about organic wine making.
Selected On & Off Premise Venues.
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
Bar Takeover
Let the party begin!
Once Erica and Ben hit the capital on Wednesday the party begins with a two day pop up in the heart of Wellington.
What better way to celebrate Spring and the warmer weather than with a two day party featuring a stellar line up of fresh, vibrant organic wines?!!!!
Kiki Bar, Courtenay Place – Wellington
Advertising and Promotion
A strong social media campaign through Remix Magazine to drive awareness with younger, urban demographic for dining events and wine features during September.
Full page ads and both Cuisine and Dish Magazine (out early August) will advertise the series of Dining Events.
About Organic Wine Week
Organic Wine Week has exceeded all expectations since it began in New Zealand two years ago.
Organic Winegrowers New Zealand (OWNZ), who organise the nationwide celebration say the objectives are simple:
To increase awareness of organic wine, to educate customers on why consuming organic is both good for them and for the land, and to support organic producers to ensure a healthy future world for us all.
It's now an annual fixture with dates confirmed for 2021 being September 20th-26th.
About Erica Crawford and Loveblock Wine
Erica Crawford is the founder and driving force behind Loveblock. She is an industry legend and founder of Kim Crawford Wines, arguably New Zealand’s most successful export brand.
Her career in the wine industry was quite by accident. She started her professional career as a medical research scientist in Cape Town until she attended a wine festival and met a kiwi called Kim. Erica gained a degree in Viticlture as a mature student in NZ. Loveblock Wines, with its focus on organics, is the culmination of Erica's living values. She is immensely proud of what she has achieved at Loveblock Farm and describes it as “a labour of love”.
Erica was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs in 2016 and was a finalist in the inaugural Woman of Influence Awards. She sits on the Advisory Board of the NZ US Council and mentors young women via Global Women, the Co of Women and Women in Wine organisations.
About Ben Glover and Zephyr Wine
Ben Glover has spent more than two decades making wine for some of New Zealand’s top brands, earning a reputation as one of the most talented winemakers in the business. An Inaugural Len Evans Scholar, Ben is a respected international wine judge - leading Cuisine Magazine’s Wine Tasting Panel.
As Gourmet Traveller Wine stated when announcing Ben as the winner of their 2021 Leadership Award – “Glover makes some fantastic wine”.
10 years after launching the wine brand Zephyr, Ben and his wife Susie have transitioned 17Ha of the family vineyard to organic farming practices. The 2020 vintage will carry the bio-gro certified organic logo – continuing Zephyr’s journey to express the true flavours of the family farm.
Available Wines
Choose from the beautiful selection of certified organic wines listed below. An equal amount of wines from each brand to be showcased at each 'pop up'.
Loveblock Wine
2020 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
2020 Marlborough Pinot Gris
2020 Marlborough 'Tee' Sauvignon Blanc (No sulphur)
Zephyr Wine
2020 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
2020 Marlborough MK I Rose
2020 Marlborough Gewurztraminer
2020 Marlborough Pinot Noir *
2020 Marlborough Chardonnay *
(Pre-release sneak preview of 2020 Chardonnay &
Pinot Noir will be available for The Pop Up Showcase).
Recent Reviews and Accolades – Loveblock Wine
2020 Pinot Gris (Certified Organic)
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit: 5 Stars
Cameron Douglas MS: 94 Points
Winestate Marlborough Tasting: 4 Stars
Michael Cooper, NZ Wines: Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide: 4 Stars
Decanter: 91 Points
Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews: 90 Points
2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Certified Organic)
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit: 5 Stars
Winestate Marlborough Tasting: 5 Stars
Cameron Douglas MS: 94 Points
Featured in Decanter Magazine's Line up of Top 2020 Sauvignon Blancs.
Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews: 93 Points
Bob Campbell MW: 4 Stars
2019 TEE Sauvignon Blanc (Certified Organic)
Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews: 5 Stars
Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times / The Star: Excellent
Decanter: 91 Points
Yvonne Lorkin: 4 Stars
Recent Reviews and Accolades – Zephyr Wine
2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Certified Organic)
Cameron Douglas MS: 95 Points, 'Outstanding'
Featured in Decanter Magazine's Line up of Top 2020 Sauvignon Blancs.
5 Stars, Michael Cooper – ‘The Listener’ Magazine
5 Stars, Angie Atkinson – The Wine Writer
2020 MK I Rose (Certified Organic)
Gold Medal, NZ Organic Wine Awards 2021
Voted NZ's Best Organic Rose, NZ Organic Wine Awards 2020 - 2019 vintage.
2020 Gewurztraminer (Certified Organic)
New Release 2020 vintage - 94 points, Cameron Douglas, MS.
Supreme Champion Wine, NZ Aromatic Wine Competition 2020 - 2019 vintage.
2019 Chardonnay (In conversion to organic)
Gold Medal, NZ International Wine Show 2020
"Flavoursome, complex and fabulously drinkable", 5 Stars, Sam Kim - Wine Orbit
94 Points – Cameron Douglas, MS
94 Points – The Wine Rater
2019 Pinot Noir (In conversion to organic)
Double Gold Medal, NZ International Wine Show 2020
95 points, 'Outstanding', Cameron Douglas, MS
Let's Celebrate!
"Eating and drinking organic isn't a trend, it's a return to tradition".
