February 2009

It’s been a hot, dry summer in the Bay of Islands – ideal grape-growing weather, as evidenced by the promising yield in the Mountain Landing vineyard.

The young vines are looking strong and healthy and with the first crop of grapes growing well, the bird netting is now in place. The two and a half acres of chardonnay are due for harvest in the next month, with the syrah expected to be ready three weeks later.

Our landscaping team are in maintenance mode at present, with plenty of Mountain Landing nursery stock now ready for planting. Work is mostly focused on planting around the Gabriel Residence on Site 5, due for completion at the end of May.

The finishing of the Gabriel house roof in October was marked by a traditional ‘roof shout’ – informal on-site drinks for the building contractors and key project consultants. With the house now weathertight, work on the project is now concentrated on interior finishing and external site works.

The other house project currently underway, the Cooper Residence on Site 3, is nearing the end of the building consent process with the Far North District Council. Consent is expected in the next few weeks, clearing the way for construction of the house itself to begin.

Following all the hard work of 2008, it was a well-deserved end-of-year party that was held on Wairoa Beach just before Christmas. Attended by around 100 Mountain Landing staff, building contractors, local Maori iwi and neighbours, this took the form of an afternoon barbecue on the beach. With plenty of locally caught seafood and spectacular weather, a festive and relaxing afternoon was had by all. On the subject of local catch, Mountain Landing resident Steve Gabriel caught a magnificent 194kg (428lb) marlin off the nearby Cavalli Islands in February. On board the 60ft 2006 Riviera Libertas II, Steve battled for two and a half hours to bring it in.

The fish eventually succumbed to exhaustion before being pulled to the surface. With no option to tag and release, the marlin was divided up and made fantastic eating for a great many of the Mountain Landing community.

Visit the Photo Gallery for pictures. 

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