What could Captain Cook‘s exploration of the Fiordland of New Zealand’s South Island and world-class wine have in common? Greg Hay, Wet Jacket Wine’s own Captain, leads the team toward a vision of precision, exploration, and legacy. Hay founded several of Central Otago’s renowned wineries (Chard Farm and Peregrine). With Wet Jacket, he set out to do something more visionary to fulfill a spirituality in his quest to link land and sea. And every Wet Jacket wine is a spiritual wine, indeed.

Named for Wet Jacket Arm, a Fiordland marine reserve named by Captain Cook’s crew after waiting out an intense storm in a cove. Upon return, they were asked how they became so drenched. From their reply, the spot became Wet Jacket Arm. 

Greg Hay’s quest to find the perfect grapes and vineyard locations for the varietals used in Wet Jacket’s lineup is aligned. Hay’s wine reflects patience, adventurous spirit, and ability to excel through trials and tribulations. Central Otago’s weather and terrain can present, he is a true explorer. And spirituality, a wine pioneer.

Spiritual Wine

Wet Jacket’s lineup breaks the stigma of New Zealand = Sauvignon Blanc. For those who have the opportunity to explore, seeing the breadth of gorgeous whites and legendary Pinot Noir in the Central Otago area brings a completely different perspective. Their Rosé of Pinot Noir is crisp with underlying depth and character. Pinot Gris from the Wet Jacket and Puntangi labels deliver depth and complexity with floral and crisp fruits. Way beyond a porch-pounding PG, these wines deserve contemplation to unravel their layers. 

Our exploration of Wet Jacket’s wines extends across a wide array of aromatic whites, and legendary varietals such as Chardonnay and Syrah. We delve into the Central Otago expression of Pinot Noir, but not without multiple layers of Captain Hay’s magician-like touch. 

Between the two brands, Wet Jacket and Putangi, there is a personal feel to what the wines deliver. Plus expressions of Syrah in the “Aurora Legacy” wines continue the story. The legacy and the vision of what has transpired since Wet Jacket’s inception less than a decade ago is nothing less than well rooted in something ethereal, from the cosmos. It’s almost like the wines become part of you in telling their story.

Spirituality between land and sea

I don’t want to spoil the details of our Somm Women Talk Wine podcast! Tune in to hear my interview with Captain Greg and First Mate Alison Vidoni. My passion for wine exploration is something I cannot hide. You, as my loyal readers likely know this fact as I’ve covered the topic many times. 

But to visit Wet Jacket’s cellar door just outside Queenstown proper, you truly “get it”. The cellar door is located in a floating boat shed. It’s the ideal setting for tasting wine. Red wine, rosé wine, and white wine alike. One simply cannot miss the connection these wines express between land and sea. The search for spiritual wine goes beyond the drink in your glass. Seek beyond, and what you learn may free your spirit.

A special thanks to Greg and Ali for opening my eyes to this magical connection.

Cheers!

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