What do you think about genius or well-educated wine experts? Two years ago, I met an Italian senior Sommelier in Florence, Dr. Francisco, who gave lessons in a famous wine and food school. It was interesting to know that he got the first taste of wine when he was six years old. Of course, it was not encouraging to little child or teenager under eighteen years old to drink wine.
However, with long history of a wine family, he enjoyed aroma of plum and blackberry of wines since he was just a little child. Dr. Francisco made a joke, “My grandpa said that DNA of wine was well built inside my body of this family tree!” Recently I was glad to meet another wine professional, Johnny Leung, who is not just a Sommelier. In fact, he is the first and the only Chinese Winemaker in New Zealand. He is the youngest Chinese winemaker as well. From his interesting story, we might get some idea regarding the relation between inborn talent, interest exploration and wine education. Johnny was born in Hong Kong and migrated with parents to New Zealand when he was twelve years old. He first came in contact with wine during his university education on Hotel Management in Switzerland. After university education Johnny went to Hawke’s Bay for further study and developed wine knowledge. As we all know, Hawke’s Bay is a well-known wine region in New Zealand. He specially put effort to study vineyard plantation, technique adoption and management. His talent and interest was deeply explored and developed!
Just after three months of study at the university, his talent and capability was recognized with a Silver Award in a students’ competition. For sure, this award had made strong encouragement to Johnny’s effort in wine industry. Taking brilliant records of success, Johnny has the first and only Chinese winemaker in New Zealand, Johnny puts progressive footsteps to Hong Kong market and international aspects.
Being the youngest, talented and first Chinese winemaker in New Zealand, Johnny is decisive to make plans of marketing and sales strategies. When I met him first time in Vinexpo in Hong Kong this year, actually this was the first time Twilight Vineyard was exhibiting and promoting its wines in Hong Kong. Given an international insight of Johnny, he places higher priority on potential and international edge of Hong Kong market over competitors in Asia region.
What he introduced signature wines to customer in Vinexpo and evaluated encouraging feedback afterwards. He is more confident to concentrate resources and effort on Hong Kong as a progressive starting point. On the one hand, Johnny liaised with New Zealand Trade Association of Hong Kong for wine tasting event and consignment sales to reach wine lovers directly. In additions to media exposure of the first Chinese winemaker return from New Zealand, he negotiates with potential importers to Twilight signature wines such as 2005 Sunset Red, Diamonds and Pearls Sparkling Muscat, 2005-2007 Pinot Gris etc. On the other hand, Johnny is innovative to write up free and regular newsletter in Chinese and English versions to wine lovers who register to their customer base. In the first issue of newsletter, Johnny briefly introduced his short but sparkling background being a professional winemaker within several years, explained plantation process and grapes of Twilight Vineyards in details.
Not only to frontline marketing and sales strategies, Johnny understands importance of wine quality than any of marketing or public relations programs. He stresses on development in next stage and quality assurance of Twilight Vineyards after operation by Bruce and Joy. Johnny investigates best way of grape plantation, harvest and production of fantastic wines. He deeply believes responsibility and difference among great winemakers from others. Rather than original footprint, Johnny has a worldwide dream, after Twilight Vineyards, to invest Kauri Peninsula as new and great land to premium grapes. In consideration of three sides of ocean climate and steeply land, beautiful view and fertile soil are advantages to conditions of premium grapes. Johnny has dream of competing with first grade of international wines by producing outstanding wines in New Zealand. Nevertheless, dream of Kauri Peninsula have to be kept along with continuous commitment until the first bottle in market after five years as minimum of investment.
It was a delightful moment to learn wine philosophy from the youngest, first and only Chinese winemaker in New Zealand. Though we could not tell whether Johnny is inborn great winemaker, however, interest exploration, knowledge, learning and experience development are attributes of a successful winemaker. Also, worldwide insight is even more crucial to a brilliant winemaker indeed!
Courtesy: http://www.ambrosiaindia.com