Happy 'New Year'!

This morning we gathered in the Rachel block of our Home Vineyard to celebrate a very important day in our calendars - the Winter Solstice. 

It had been raining early this morning, but in true Solstice style, the skies cleared just as we headed out for our celebrations, and since then it's been a brilliant, sunny winters day.

Colin, our Estate Manager, spoke about what the Solstice means to us at Seresin: 

"The Winter Solstice marks the beginning of an agricultural new year - the end of one growing season and the beginning of the next. Winter is a time for inner reflection, rather than outer movement. Huddling together in the warm, we look back on the year that has been, and look forward and plan for the year to come. From here, we begin pruning in earnest, as the sap in the grape vines starts to rise, and we head towards Spring and bud burst.'

After Colin spoke, we gave thanks to the land for what it has given us this year, by placing some of our various produce at the end of Row 12.

Over a glass of hot homemade Limoncello and morning tea (Jerusalem Artichoke and Whisky soup - delicious!) we wish you all a happy and prosperous 'new year'.

Celebrating the Solstice

The winter solstice marks a significant celestial event for us at Seresin Estate – our ‘New Year’. The days are the shortest of the year, harvests have just ended, and the annual cycle is about to begin again, anew.

Noon on June 21st marked the winter solstice this year and we celebrated with a solstice / harvest party and activities of joy and thanks. We took a hayride around to each of the sites in the vineyard…

…Marked the solar zenith on our Wairau strata sculpture (by Chris Booth).










…Gave thanks for 2008 by returning the rewards of the year to the ground that provided them and welcomed the 2009 growing season.







…Blessed the foundation for the new year by laying the first layer of straw on a new compost pile.







…Laid flower offerings at our sentinel stone.










…Made a rainbow of our handprints.







…Planted strawberries for our future.











…Made wishes for 2009 into our solstice fire, and concluded the evening with food, drink, music, fire and frivolity!

Many thanks for 2008 season and blessings to everyone for 2009!