Witness craftsmanship in cups

After a bustling harvest season, with meticulous sorting, pressing and fermenting processes completed, Mystic Island’s wine is now poised to embark on its next journey within the oak barrel. Simultaneously, an enchanting melody fills the air in the winery, instantly soothing our anxious hearts. Each one of us eagerly anticipates infusing our essence into this exquisite wine as we patiently await its momentous bottling time.

We were granted the opportunity to engage in conversation with Bruce, an accomplished young winemaker and basked in his profound elucidation of the artistry behind winemaking in Mystic Island Winery. We eagerly anticipate the forthcoming 2023 vintage!

1. What do you think is the main responsibility of a winemaker?

The main responsibility of a winemaker, in my opinion, lies in safeguarding the wine throughout its journey – from the bountiful harvest to the meticulous bottling process, and even during its subsequent development. This entails devising strategic operational plans and diligently monitoring key indicators.

Furthermore, it necessitates seamless collaboration with the viticulture team to procure grapes of exceptional quality for our Mystic Island wine, while also engaging in fruitful discussions with the marketing team regarding product variations and promotional strategies.

2. What role does wine play in your life?

Since embarking on my journey in the wine industry, wine has assumed a pivotal role in my life, compelling me to constantly delve into its intricacies. Throughout this process, I have acquired invaluable skills in approaching tasks with an intriguing perspective and effectively resolving challenges, which have proven immensely beneficial to both my personal and professional endeavors.

3. Please share your philosophy of wine making

The elegance of wine making lies in the exploration of the grape’s utmost potential, the perception of every nuance throughout its transformation, and the meticulous completion of fermentation through scientific advancements and technological aids.

4. Describe Mystic Island Winery in your eyes, how to express the local culture through winemaking?

In my perception, Mystic Island Winery embodies a profound cultural essence through winemaking. Step 1: Reverence for the grape is demonstrated by natural wild yeast; Step 2: The utilization of gravity fermentation capitalizes on the mountainous terrain of Mystic Island Winery; Step 3: Each stage is meticulously and delicately handled, with minimal human intervention. This approach not only maximizes the geographical advantages but also accentuates the distinctiveness of the local character.

5. With an abundance of grape varieties at our disposal, do the nuances in their vinification truly differ?

Mystic Island Winery is meticulously divided into 191 small blocks, where even identical varietials exhibit delightful variations owing to distinct soils, gradients, orientations and more. Our harvest plans are tailored to each block’s unique characteristics while our fermentation strategies are devised based on the raw materials at hand, ultimately determining the exquisite wines we craft. Thus, winemaking such as maceration duration and aging processes gracefully adapt accordingly.

The year 2023 holds a captivating allure as we embark upon a myriad of fascinating endeavors. In addition to indulging in Chardonnay’s splendor, we have thoughtfully selected certain red grapes for natural wild yeast fermentation and opted for direct pressing methods to fashion enchanting rosé wine.

6. The saying goes that seven minutes are dedicated to sowing, while three minutes are devoted to brewing.

What does the communication with the planting team entail?

Throughout every stage of grape growth, from the initial sprouting of buds to the hanging and veraison of fruits, we will maintain constant contact with the viticulture team. Particularly during the bustling harvest period, our relationship will grow even stronger.

Every intricate detail that may impact the quality of grape will be communicated diligently until we finalize our harvest plan and safely transport the grapes to the winery where careful bunches selection and berries sorting commence. Truly a laborious endeavor!

7. When did Mystic Island Winery commence utilizingnatural indigenous yeast? How is the current situation?

In 2018, our esteemed New Zealand chief winemaker, Allen embarked on an exploration of employing natural wild yeast for making Chardonnay. As we enter the sixth year, its performance remains remarkably steadfast, garnering recognition from both domestic and international connoisseurs and competitions alike.

Wild yeast Chardonnay manifests an exquisite state in terms of aroma and taste, boasting a multifaceted profile and enhanced texture. Since 2022, all Mystic Island’s Chardonnay wine have been made with natural wild yeast. This year marks our venture into utilizing this method for red grapes as well, yielding exceptional results that leave us eagerly anticipating future achievements.

9. The holiday is fast approaching, would you be so kind as to share your most highly recommended wine pairing?

YIHU Chardonnay Dry White Wine

This wine is very pure with fresh fruity, exuding a delightful complexity enhanced by the perfect balance of acidity. The oak barrels elevates the opulence and smoothness of this wine, rendering it an impeccable accompaniment to an array of seafood delicacies, pasta dishes, pizzas, as well as Japanese cuisine.

Moreover, its exceptional versatility extends to Chinese family dinners where it harmonizes flawlessly with steamed sea bass, garlic-infused oysters, succulent shrimp preparations, stir-fried clams, delectable seafood noodles, hand-peeled salt-baked chicken and other culinary delights.

YUEYUN Dry Red Wine

This wine exhibits fresh plum and cherry aromas, complemented by subtle herbal and oak notes. The wine exudes an elegant and delicate character, caressing the palate with a velvety texture.

It pairs harmoniously with succulent stewed meats and saucy dishes such as roast chicken or duck. Additionally, it is well-suited for indulging in barbecued or smoked meats, savoring fried steak, relishing smoky flavors, or enjoying the spiciness of pepper sausage.

10. In the future, which direction will Mystic Island Winery production evolve towards?

Mystic Island Winery consistently upholds the principle of environmental preservation and embraces the path of sustainable development. Moving forward, it shall persistently pursue this trajectory!

Within winemaking, energy consumption at our winery is curtailed through residue reuse, resulting in energy and electricity savings; water conservation measures are also implemented. Even finer details such as bottling employ lightweight packaging to minimize carbon emissions. Our wine boxes have been optimized and upgraded to not only meet packaging requirements but also facilitate multiple reuses while conveniently folding and storing, truly embodying the circular application of our environmental ethos.