Who’s that girl? Introducing Meg!

The fourth ‘Who’s that girl?’ interview in an occasional series – questions from Libby this time.

Born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1985 Meg is the eldest daughter in the Forrest-Waghorn family.

Where do you fit within the Durvillea family?: Well, I’m the eldest of the Forrest-Waghorn girls. In terms of Durvillea I’ve mainly been in charge of setting up and maintaining our social networking sites – particularly this blog. Along with Libby, Bella, and the Astrolabe team I’ve had some input into the design and development discussions.

 What is your favourite part of being involved with the brand?: I really like the way I can legitimately spend lots of time on the internet! It’s also nice to be able to find a place for some of my skills in the family industry. I have also come to appreciate all the different skill areas we have in the family and business.

 How would you describe the Durvillea range?: Approachable and affordable wines that don’t sacrifice quality and integrity. I also think we have a great back-story and a classy, identifiably New Zealand label.

 Do you have a favourite amongst them?: Normally I’m a dry riesling fan but I’m really falling back in love with Sauvignon Blanc as a result of my Durvillea involvement. In the face of some uncertainty about the future for Marlborough Sav Blanc it’s great to see our wine still getting a great reception as a quality example of the variety.

Libby, Arabella and Meg. Gisborne, c.1993.

 What was the best thing about growing up in the wine industry?: Well, as Libby has said, wineries are reasonably entertaining places to play and vintage is always an exciting time. The wine industry is great as it is so seasonal; it keeps you in touch with nature in a way. Another nice thing about the industry is the types of people who are drawn to it, people who care about hospitality and the finer things in life in general.

 You live in Wellington, what do you do there?: I moved to Wellington to study in 2004. I’ve been working at Wellington City Libraries for several years now. Librarianship (although I’m not a qualified librarian) is another ‘family industry’, Ma [Jane] is a trained librarian and that’s been at least as influential as the wine stuff! I’m also working towards a Masters degree in New Zealand Literature.

Client relationship manager Sophie McLernon, and Meg. Te Kauwhata, circa 1987.

 What would your ‘perfect day’ in Wellington be? Any tips for visitors?: On a fine day a stroll around the city waterfront accompanied by Café Eis gelato and a lovely Wellington soundtrack by the excellent Phoenix Foundation. On a wilder day I love the south coast. I also like to show visitors around my lovely home suburb of Newtown which has a surprising amount of great food and coffee options and cute little stores. For visiting tips I recommend the expert advice of the Wellingtonistas.

 How about at home in Blenheim?: The absolute best place to eat in Blenheim is the cramped but cosy Cruizie’s café on Maxwell Road in town. I love their chicken stuffing sandwiches more than I can say. On a summer’s evening the Craiglockhart River in the Waihopai Valley is a lovely place to swim and you get a good look at the famous spy balls on the way there.

Arabella and Meg

 And for international visitors – what NZ sight is your absolute must-see?: I’d have to go with the turangawaewae of the Waghorn family, the lovely Banks Peninsula. You could even go Hector’s dolphin watching with another branch of the Waghorn family…

 And finally, who would you recommend Durvillea wines too?: Basically people like me who want a quality wine but are on a budget. At the moment we as consumers are swamped by cheap, anonymous wine so I like to think that people who want a wine with a bit of integrity and personality will be attracted to Durvillea.

Who’s that girl? Introducing Libby!

The third ‘Who’s that girl?’ interview in an occasional series – questions and write up from Meg.

Born in Te Kauwhata/Huntly in 1987 Libby is the middle daughter in the Forrest-Waghorn family. Now living in Australia she represents the Queensland ‘branch’ of Durvillea. You’ll hear from Libby on our facebook page, this blog and she tweets the occasional update from Oz via our twitter account (@durvilleawines).

What is your role at Durvillea?: As the middle Waghorn daughter, I have so far been involved in the brand development and social marketing aspects of Durvillea. Also, living in Brisbane, I do a bit of pro bono work putting in a good word for the wine to anyone and everyone I meet over here. Inevitably, my role has included a bit of ‘product sampling’ as well. Tough job.

What’s the reason behind your move to Brisbane?: My boyfriend Pete lives here in Queensland; I moved over at the beginning of last year after spending two years to-ing and fro-ing between Brisbane and Wellington. I am now studying Law and International Relations at the University of Queensland. Luckily, my parents were pretty supportive of my move over here – in part, perhaps, because their own love story followed along similar lines: our mother Jane followed then-aspiring winemaker Simon to Australia when he moved to SA to study oenology at Roseworthy nearly 30 years ago. I certainly haven’t regretted the move; Brisbane is a great, easy going city, and I love that the climate means people spend a lot of time being active outdoors. Best of all, its only a three hour flight from home.

Perhaps why Libby lives in Queensland?

What are your other jobs?: Here in Brisbane, I work part time in a wine shop (Vintage Cellars in Indooroopilly for any Brisbanites who want to pop in and say hello), as well as working a few hours a week as a volunteer law clerk at the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service, which I love. At home in Blenheim during the summer holidays I can usually be found in the vineyard at Astrolabe Farm earning some pocket money wire-lifting and leaf plucking.

How has your family being in the wine industry impacted on you?: This is a hard question; Pa’s been a wine maker longer than I’ve been alive so the wine industry has always been a part of our family life. As a child, it meant we spent a lot of time at the winery (Corban’s in Gisborne was the first I can remember). When we moved to Blenheim in 1994 (I was 7) most of the people we knew were part of the wine industry in Marlborough, so a lot of our close family friends are wine people too. Moving to Astrolabe Farm a few years ago, with a vineyard in our back garden, meant getting involved in the practical side of wine production. And it is a direct result of growing up in the industry that I am now involved in wine retail and marketing.

Any childhood memories of being a winemaker’s daughter?: One of our favourite things as kids was this elaborate game we invented called ‘Winery Mice’. I can’t remember the specifics, but I remember it involved a lot of running around the winery and climbing over barrels. Riding on the mechanical harvesters at night during vintage was always pretty exciting. Oh, another of my favourite things was putting the magnetic beaker stirrer in the winery lab on the fast setting so the magnet flung off across the room at high speed. I don’t think we were terribly helpful…

Libby & Meg plunging some pinot c.1996

What’s your favourite thing about coming home to Marlborough?: Marlborough is a really beautiful place – much prettier than I realised when I lived there! I love flying into Blenheim in the tiny single-engine planes from Wellington over the Marlborough sounds. At Astrolabe Farm itself, its great to come home in winter to a roaring fire and Ma’s cooking. A winter trip home isn’t complete without toasting some marshmallows with Pa as well. In summer, sitting out on the verandah on the long warm nights with a book is nice. And I love our Christmas dinners in the Astrolabe Farm garden, with family and friends.

Any Blenheim local knowledge or tips you’d like to share?: Bamboo Garden chinese restaurant has long been a family favourite. I love the Wither Hills for walking, and the Tip Top Store on Scott St to get an old-school scoop icecream on the way home!

How about some Brisbane highlights?: I really like the South Bank cultural precinct for a wander through the galleries, or the New Farm markets on a sunny Saturday morning.

Libby and Simon on a family trip to San Francisco

What’s your favourite wine?: Being a student, wine I buy has to be affordable. Lately, I’ve been drinking a bit of German riesling; the Dr Loosen Villa Wolf Dry Riesling 2006 is one of my current favourites and is only about $15.

And a meal to go with it?: Dry rieslings go well with Asian foods – I like making a stirfry of chicken and Asian greens like Bok Choy, and onion, garlic and ginger.

Who would you recommend Durvillea wines to? I think Durvillea wines are great for younger people becoming more familiar with drinking wine and who want to branch out from the entry-level big name brands, or for any one who hasn’t got a huge budget but wants to drink a quality wine with a bit of class.

Can you sum up the Durvillea range for us?: Top quality, good value wines that are classically ‘Marlborough’ in style while still managing to stand out from the crowd.

Who’s that girl? Introducing Jane!

The second ‘Who’s that girl?’ interview in an occasional series – questions and write up from Meg.

Jane Forrest really is the person at the heart of the Durvillea story. She is wife to Simon Waghorn (winemaker) and mother to Arabella, Libby and Meg. Jane is also a director of Astrolabe Wines and a multi-tasking machine who works in the office, out on sales trips, and among the vines, garden and olive grove at Astrolabe Farm.

What is your role at Durvillea?: I am responsible for leading the brand into the marketplace. That means I am involved in decisions right through from production to sales. However it is not me alone; the unique thing is way my daughters Meg, Libby and Arabella and my niece Sophie are also involved. This is a blend of family and business. Durvillea works from within Astrolabe, we refer to it as Astrolabe’s little sister. The relationship is strong but the brands are separate.

How did you come to be involved in the wine industry?: I married in! Simon Waghorn, our wine maker, and I met at university. We have been together for almost thirty years. As Astrolabe grew I became more involved on a daily basis and for the last four years I have worked in the office, with marketing, entertaining guests and clients and just about anything else that needs doing. We are a small team. For the last four years we have lived at Astrolabe Farm which means that I am also involved in grape growing. Durvillea has given me the opportunity to step forward and lead my own project. It is very exciting.

What’s the best part of the industry?: I think the spirit of hospitality that underlies why we make and sell wine. It is a great thing to share and enjoy food and wine . It is something that is intrinsic to the way I grew up and they way we live. It also brings you in contact with lots of interesting and wonderful people.

What about the worst part?: When my children were small it was the long hours of vintage. Now, for me it is the double edged sword of family and business being so closely linked that it’s hard not be thinking and talking about work all the time.

What are some other jobs you’ve had?: I was a librarian and most recently the Children’s Librarian at the Marlborough District Library. I studied librarianship while Simon was at Roseworthy [Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia – where Simon studied oenology. Meg]. I am also a qualified teacher and loved being a new entrant teacher. I have also taught ante-natal classes and worked for Family Planning as an educator.

Where’s the best place your work has taken you?: The Marsh’s Library in Dublin. Dublin is our largest export market. The Marsh Library is in the close of St Patrick’s Cathedral is a hidden gem. Closely followed by the New York Public Library!

What do you like about living in Marlborough?: The wonderful light.

Where would you take a visitor to Marlborough?: A picnic in the olive grove here at Astrolabe Farm is always good. Mind you a tour around the coloured fountain in Seymour Square is also a family favourite. More seriously, if we are taking people out for dinner we usually go to Hotel D’Urville. However for more casual family dinners we often go to Dodson’s for pizza.

What’s your favourite wine varietal?: It depends on the weather. I am a seasonal creature. Give me Pinot or Chardonnay with fires and casseroles but now there is a hint of spring in the air I am looking forward to the asparagus coming up in my garden. In anticipation I am drinking Sauvignon Blanc.

What has been your favourite thing so far about your involvement with Durvillea?: Working with my girls.

Who would you recommend Durvillea to?: Everyone. I picture Durvillea as wine at a price point that makes it accessible to share with friends. A bottle to put in the supermarket trolley when you are shopping for dinner.

If you were to describe the Durvillea Sauvignon Blanc in one sentence what would you say?: Great value, over-delivering on quality, with a fabulous label.

Who’s that girl? Introducing Sophie!

Sophie McLernon is officially the ‘Client Relationship Manager’ at Astrolabe Wines. More importantly to us she is also our cousin. Sophie is behind a lot of the tweets from @durvilleawines on Twitter. So that people could put a face to her tweets and facebook messages I (Meg) emailed her a few questions:

What is your role at Durvillea?: The official title is Client Relationship Manager, but my role is very broad, I am in the office, look after exports, accounts etc. I look after our distributors nationally and am starting to focus on Australia as well. I ensure they are supplied with enough marketing material- both Astrolabe and Durvillea, that they have enough wine, and manage their allocations. More recently I have been doing a lot of the social marketing for Durvillea.

What is your favourite part of the job?: Interacting with people from the many different markets we go into, and getting the chance to understand how each market works. Each market is so unique and must be approached differently. One of the best things is having your wine available in so many different countries- such as Mexico, Israel, Slovakia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Ireland, UK… to name a few!

And your least favourite part of the job?: Not sure if I have a least favourite part… maybe some of the paperwork, but you get that in any job…

What’s your favourite varietal?: Chardonnay – I’m sure it’s coming back into fashion!

Any recommendations for a great meal with a glass of Marlborough Sav?: Prawn and Avocado salad with a citrus dressing.

How did you come to be working at Astrolabe?: I moved to Marlborough in February 2008 to work a vintage at Whitehaven Wine Company. I became passionate about the industry and an administration role at Astrolabe came up at Astrolabe so I applied. This role has changed dramatically since I started and I have started to take on more responsibility, I now have Jane (my aunt) and who comes in to help me out three times a week, which takes a lot of the pressure off.

Meg & Sophie on Wainui Beach in Gisborne showing an early interest in seaweed

What’s it like working with your extended family: Great fun! I miss Jane not being in the office for our morning coffees! [She’s just on a short holiday – Meg]

How do you like living in Marlborough and working in the wine industry?: Living in Marlborough is a bit quieter than what I am used to, but there are enough bars, and a good crew of people that there are always things going on. We are close enough to the mountains to ski in winter and we are so near to the sounds that we can pop down after work for a few drinks or a skurf in summer. Working in the wine industry is great as there are always things going on and the year is never dull. From Vintage, to new release, to Christmas and then back to Vintage it is always busy and exciting and you are always learning. Plus the perk of getting a free bottle of wine now and then isn’t half bad either!

As a relative newcomer to Blenheim have you got any bar or restaurant recommendations?: Scotch is a great new wine bar that has opened, it has an interesting and international wine list and a great choice of tapas- the chilli salt squid is a favourite!

If you could visit or work in any wine region in the world where would you want to go?: I would love to go and visit France and tour around the country, spending a good few months there, exploring all the different wine regions. Friends have just started a winery in Spain, so that would be another option! Or completely off the wine regions, I would like to live in Canada, we are looking to expand our market share there now, and the way they do things is so different, the idea of working for an agent and with the liquor boards there is quite intriguing…

Who is your favourite Durvillea daughter?: Argh, this is awkward….

And finally, who would you recommend Durvillea to?: Anyone who is after a great wine, with an eye catching label and story, at an affordable price.

The interviewer (on left) and interviewee (right) 1986