Royal coup for Te Mata's Coleraine

A television news clip earlier this week about Prime Minister John Key and his family's stay with the Queen and her family at Balmoral caught the eyes of staff at Te Mata Estate in Havelock North.

As part of Mr Key's appreciation for staying at the Scottish estate he presented a blue pearl brooch to the Queen and a bottle of Shackleton's Whisky to the Duke of Edinburgh.

And, in the Kiwi tradition, he arranged for some refreshments to accompany a Friday night barbecue which was staged.

Mr Key arrived with six bottles of wine representing New Zealand's wine-growing regions and the diversity of varieties they produce.

As the gift case was handed over, and caught by the cameras, a bottle of Te Mata Estate's Coleraine was spotted in the line-up.

Te Mata Estate sales and marketing manager Sally Duncan said she and the team were understandably proud the royal gathering would be enjoying a taste of the Bay.

Coleraine was described by leading wine writer James Suckling as "the legendary cabernet sauvignon and merlot blend of New Zealand".

The winemaking team were confident the royal sippers would have agreed.