My name is Andy Cook. I've worked in the wine trade in Britain, France and New Zealand. I have bought, sold, judged and written about wine for the last 15 years. In 2006 I obtained a Diploma in Viticulture & Oenology and since then have made in wine in NZ and France.
I currently live in the South of France with my wife Kirsten and our big labrador, Alfie.
For as long as I can remember, I've been passionate about every aspect of the wine business. In recent years, I have moved from trading the stuff to getting my hands dirty in the vineyard and helping the grapes transform into wine.
Combined knowledge of both sides of the wine trade is a rare thing, and is already proving useful as we get our first projects off the ground.
22nd September.
We picked our white grapes last week and they are happily fermenting away in a nice cool, quiet place. We fermented all the varieties together: Grenache Gris, Blanc, Carignan Blanc, Muscat and St. Sebastien....we macerated on skins to extract a delicate pink colour....more wines to come....
And you can also buy our wines in New Zealand now, which is fantastic! Brian at Hemingways and Dave at Decant are both stocking the Cook Wines Grenache and Chardonnay to make a change from all that Savvy and Pinot...cheers guys!
13th September 2008. UPDATE.
Our first wines from 2007 are selling well and 2008 vintage is well under way here. I am keeping busy making wines at Coume del Mas and Mas Christine, and next week we will pick our own grapes to make some delicious and funky wines.....