John Casson, MBE and Chairman of the John Casson Foundation, has made a generous offer to Go Beyond supporters this festive season. Read on for a special letter of explanation.
“Dear Go Beyond’s supporters,
With Christmas not far way I am writing to you with an offer for your personal enjoyment or/and a present.
Through our supporter the John Casson Foundation, Go Beyond have been offered a wine selection from a boutique and highly recommended vineyard in New Zealand, De la Terre. From the sale of each box there is a generous donation to our charity.
De la Terre:
De la Terre is New Zealand’s only self-built earth-brick winery and is a family enterprise and a real labour of love. It is a literally ‘down to earth’ response to commercialised winemaking, emanating from Tony’s Prichard’s three decades of experience in the wine industry of the region.
His rejection of the increasing industrialisation of wine is what took him back towards the earth. De La Terre wines are defined by quality and character.
It is that character that quickly captured the imagination of some of the most discerning sommeliers in the UK.
Some comments from a leading sommelier in the UK:
“Back in 2014, Word of mouth led us to discovering the sensational wines of de la Terre. Being a Sommelier for a high-profile restaurant in the UK, opportunities like this do not pass by easily. Without a doubt, we clearly had to visit!
Then, having tasted the entire de la terre range with the winemaker, Tony Prichard, I can only say that our minds were blown away by the quality of his wines. I’m talking about the wow factor that has a lasting impression.”
In five hectares of Hawkes Bay vineyards, a deliberately limited but very versatile range of grape varieties enable an entirely hands-on approach to crafting exceptional Chardonnay, Viognier, Barbera, Syrah, Montepulciano and Tannat wines. Their uniqueness extends to a Chardonnay-Viognier blend called Gracie, named in honour of the Prichard family dog, who is an integral member of the de la Terre team.
From simple fruit-driven table wines to distinguished barrel-fermented Chardonnays, with all reserve bottles individually numbered by hand, the Prichards’ devotion to hand-crafting applies to every stage of the de la Terre winemaking process. From fruit picking and gentle handling through hand-pressing, with nothing ever rushed, the integrity of the grape is retained all the way from the vine to hand-labelled end product.
For more information about De la Ter wines please visit : www.synergywines.co.uk
The selection box of six wines:
Viognier 2014
An elegant and refined Viognier – fresh, crisp and clean with hints of minerality showcasing the limestone terroir of the vineyard. Bone dry. Decanter Bronze 2021.
Chardonnay 2015
This is essentially a “naked” Chardonnay – it has never been in contact with any type of oak, nor has it undergone any malo-lactic fermentation. Decanter Silver 2021.
Syrah 2017
A rich and dark ‘black fruit’ style of Syrah, moving away from overtly pretty and lifted top-note fruit and replacing it with black olive, black cherry and black pepper notes, truly reflecting the typical varietal characteristics of this grape. Decanter Bronze 2021.
Reserve Chardonnay 2016
Total production 1648 bottles. A complex food-style Chardonnay suitable for bottle ageing, this wine is as much about texture and mouthfeel as it is about flavour and aroma. A wine designed to work with food – powerful and complex but not dominating the food.
Reserve Syrah 2016
Fewer than 3000 bottles across the two vintages. More of a Northern Rhone style – more feminine and ‘pretty’ rather than highly structured. A great Syrah style to match with food. This terroir means the typical Syrah ‘pepper’ notes express in the wine more as white pepper than the (more normal) black pepper. Decanter Silver 2021.
Reserve Viognier 2015
Total production 1448 bottles. Grapes from low-yielding vines grown on an very steep north-facing limestone terrace – the vines are stressed. A complex, linear and tightly-structured ‘non-fruity’ style of Viognier. Total production 1448 bottles. Grapes from low-yielding vines grown on an very steep north-facing limestone terrace – the vines are stressed. A complex, linear and tightly-structured ‘non-fruity’ style of Viognier.
Cost and donation:
The price per 6 bottles including postage is £144 to which £14 pound will be donated to Go Beyond.
To order:
Please email John Casson MBE, Chairman of the John Casson Foundation at: johncasson@johncasson.com
If you wish to change any of the bottles to those available, see www.synergywines.co.uk and please request in your email to John.”
Our huge thanks go to John Casson for this very generous gesture of kindness this festive season.
