No regrets: David Hoskins on Following Whims, Creating a Winery, and Embracing Life

🌟 "Never have any regrets. Do it because you don't want to move on and wish you had." 🌟 Join us on the Bountifull Podcast as we explore the life and philosophy of David Hoskins, the visionary behind Herons Flight Vineyard. In this episode, David shares his journey from the United States to New Zealand in the 1970s, founding an alternative school, and creating a legacy through his unique approach to winemaking. Discover his passion for Italian grape varieties in a land dominated by French grapes, and how he embraces curiosity and authenticity in every aspect of his life. David’s story is a testament to following whims, creating meaningful connections, and living a life without regrets. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Meeting Fascinating People: David Hoskins shares intriguing stories of the diverse and fascinating people he has met along his journey. His curiosity and interactions have shaped his life and winemaking philosophy. Early Days of New Zealand Wine: Explore the history of New Zealand's wine industry in the 1970s and 80s, as David recounts his experiences with the early pioneers in Auckland. Learn how these interactions influenced his own path in winemaking. Living Without Regrets: David's philosophy is all about seizing opportunities and living without regrets. He discusses the importance of embracing new challenges and learning from both successes and failures. Switching to Italian Grapes: Discover the story behind Herons Flight's transition from French varietals to Italian grapes. David explains why they chose Sangiovese and Dolcetto and how these grapes transformed their winemaking process. Innovative Winemaking Techniques: Learn about David's unique approach to winemaking, including the use of amphoras and extended skin contact. He shares how these methods bring out the best flavors in their wines. Family and Community: David reflects on the importance of family and community in his life and work. He talks about living with three generations on the vineyard and the enduring legacy of his late wife, Mary, in their family and the local community. Detailed Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to David Hoskins and Herons Flight Vineyard. 02:30 - David’s journey from America to New Zealand and the early days. 10:15 - The unique intergenerational living arrangement and its benefits. 18:00 - Early pioneers of wine in Auckland in the 70s and 80s. 25:30 - Philosophy behind growing Italian varietals and the epiphany with Italian wines. 33:45 - The decision to focus on Sangiovese and Dolcetto. 40:00 - Winemaking techniques, including the use of amphoras and extended skin contact. 48:30 - Challenges in the wine industry and advice for aspiring winemakers. 53:00 - Reflections on living a fulfilling life, family legacy, and future aspirations. Guest Bio: David Hoskins was born on the East Coast of the US and moved to NZ in the early 1970s. He brought with him a double major in Chemistry and Philosophy. In NZ, he continued his academic study at the University of Auckland. But, he was always interested in wine. In the late 70s and early 80s, David and his wife, Mary Evans, used to regularly visit wineries in Auckland. By 1987, Mary and David started their own vineyard in Matakana. David and Mary have always been willing to experiment with grape growing and winemaking techniques. In the vineyard, cane pruning is used by the canes are arched. They also one of the few NZ vineyards to employ a unique lyre trellis system. In the winery, they avoid hand plunging or pump-overs and let the cap sit on the fermenting wine without interference. This keeps the skin intact, and with extended time on the wines, helps round out the tannins. They imported a 500L amphora from Tuscany in 2014. So, with the same identical grapes, they use three different styles of winemaking. https://www.heronsflight.co.nz/ Follow Bountifull on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bountifullworld/ Visit our Website https://www.bountifullworld.com/podcast/