Introducing Alan Scott

Allan Scott is a well known New Zealand winemaker and he shares some of his wisdom with GrownUps. 

Please introduce yourself to GrownUps in one paragraph as your wife or family would…..

Allan Scott, Father, Grandfather, Winemaker, Haymaker, Troublemaker and Dreamer.  

What are the three things that make your chosen profession challenging and exciting for you?

Firstly my original career did not include winemaking. Having grown up on a farm I really wanted my own with white painted fence posts and everything perfect. Stepping into the viticultural industry from there was a big leap up and steep learning curve but I got satisfaction from succeeding at it.

What achievement are you most proud of in wine making?

Very hard to single out as there have been so many. Making our first wine was a very proud moment probably because of the sense of achievement of making something myself. I guess exporting to other countries also has to be a proud achievement.

When you started out, is where you are today what you envisaged?

No, not really although I did have ambitions and I enjoyed working in a corporate environment – or at least I thought I did, but it is nothing compared to the joy working for yourself alongside your family.

What is the best advice you could give your 20-year-younger self?

Oh I do not think I am a very good example of giving advice in this area!

– Career: choose carefully here as I found I certainly did not end up where I thought I would which is not a bad thing at all I guess. Being a farmer at heart, working on the land is where I thought I would  be…sometimes I wish I had followed perhaps where I thought I had talent… in architecture or landscaping areas.

– Love: important to sort out differences, strengths and weakness’ early in a relationship. My relationship with my better half is that we are opposites in many things but good at compromise!

– Priorities: My philosophy is not to be overawed by anything, everything is possible, dreams can be achieved by being secure first and have a way of escaping if necessary.

How do you get the best out of people in your working life?

I always believe that to get the best out of people is to ensure they are firmly interested in what they are doing, encouragement and incentives help. Patience and courtesy are always important too.

What do you do to balance family/health/work?

My family will read this closely as I think we are in an industry that combines all three and as such are an unequal balance. Very hard to separate but we do enjoy a very close family life of three generations as we socialise and work together.

Please describe your ideal day

Lots of sunshine, lots of laughter and orders rolling in…oh and being surrounded with grandchildren.

Do you agree with the premise of the book/movie Like Water for Chocolate? i.e to make something taste wonderful it needs to be made with love and a degree of 'magic'?

I most certainly do. Although goes deeper than that as success will only come from success and knowing when and why to add other ingredients is the key.

What is your prediction for the NZ wine industry?

Very hard to predict as it is continuing a relatively steep climb and has achieved a lot in the world of wine in a relative short time. My best wish is that it settles of sustainable growth and continues on the quality orientated path.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Nothing is impossible.  

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Rug up and relax no matter what the occasion with a bottle of Allan Scott Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013, the perfect accompaniment to a hearty dinner or long lunch this cold season.

Intense aromatics of ripe red fruits, strong raspberry and cassis are supported by a well-integrated oak scent, while the delicious ripe strawberry flavours on the palate are accompanied by a touch of cherry and hint of dried herbs to make this wine an all-round winter warmer.

Concentrated and powerful, the Allan Scott Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 will be a match made in heaven with your favourite winter meals such as a succulent roast beef or lamb, a slow-cooked game stew, or a decadent chocolate or fruit dessert.

Allan Scott Winemaker Matthew Elrick says the elegant layered aromas and palate-pleasing flavours are the result of years of refinement and dedication to producing the very best bottles of this drinkable and delectable wine.

“A cool climate grape, Pinot Noir is particularly suited to the Marlborough region, and we produce this wine from our Pinot Noir vineyard which was established in 1995,” says Elrick.