Yvonne Lorkin: Nab a share of Kiwi history

Invivo Wines raised more than $1.7 million by equity funding.

Crowdfunding is all the rage with craft brewers around the country. Blenheim-based Renaissance Breweries raised $700,000 last year and in January the Yeastie Boys raised $500,000 in less than 30 minutes, and it hasn't taken long for an ambitious winery to get in on the act. This month the lads from Invivo wines set a new record for equity crowdfunding in New Zealand, raising more than $1.7 million in just six days using the Snowball Effect platform. That's $200,000 more than the previous record holder, drone company Aeronavics.

In their bid to raise $2 million (20 per cent of the company) to help them kick their expansion efforts overseas into high gear, Invivo sold shares for $1 each with a minimum investment of $1000. In less than a week, Invivo had more than 350 new shareholders and, if you're in before April 13 (or before they hit the $2 million mark) then a little piece of Kiwi wine history could be yours.

Equity crowdfunding involves giving large numbers of people the chance to invest in a business or project, usually through an investment website.

Founded by marketing whizz Tim Lightbourne and winemaker Rob Cameron in 2008, Invivo produces wines from contract fruit sourced from around the country, and its sauvignon blanc famously sits in a glass on the set of British talk show host Graham Norton every week.

Luck of the Irish strikes McCashin's BreweryIreland has been making cider for more than 2000 years, but that didn't stop it awarding a snappy little berry cider from New Zealand the Supreme Cider Award at the Dublin Craft Beer Cup last month.

Crafted by the team at McCashin's brewery, the Rochdale Three Berry Cider was one of six McCashin's products to win awards at a show that attracts thousands of entries from across the globe. To scoop the Supreme Award validates the efforts the McCashin's team put into its cider production, says Scott McCashin. "Unlike most ciders on the market, we don't add sugar," he says. "The Three Berry Cider came out of a lot of trials. It was made using a blend of local boysenberries, raspberries and blackcurrants. Finding the right balance was a challenge."

The Rochdale products are also sulphate-, additive- and preservative-free.

Rochdale started in Stoke, Nelson, in the 1930s when there were at least four other cideries operating in the area. By the late 1970s Rochdale was the only one still operating in New Zealand. Terry and Bev McCashin bought the site in 1980 and continued to make Rochdale Cider when they started McCashin's Brewery.

SIPS OF THE WEEK

Petane Station Viognier 2014, $32

This is the first release I've tried of this wine from Hawke's Bay's newest edition to the Esk Valley wine fold. It wowed me from the first sniff with its concentrated, exotic apricot kernel, jasmine, honeysuckle and spice notes. Combine that with a burst of tangy, tropical fruit, snappy acidity, rich stonefruit characters and a tongue-fuzzing finish - and you've got a fantastic white wine. petanestation.co.nz

Folium Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013, $27

Forget what you think Marlborough sauvignon is going to taste like - this is completely different. Produced by talented Japanese winemaker Takaki Okada from his self-managed 8ha organic plot on Brancott Rd, this pale yellow wine with flecks of green has elderflower and lemon pith on the nose, followed by watercress, white pepper, lemon and stonefruit on the palate. With its clear, precise structure, cleansing acidity and incredible length of flavour, it's deliciously different. For stockists near you, contact shana@dnfinewine.com

Two Degrees Central Otago Rose 2014, $25

Pretty, glossy bright crimson in the glass, this powerfully fruity pinot noir rosé is stacked with fresh cherry, raspberry, blackberry and plum characters. With its juicy, succulent mouthfeel, elegant, slippery texture and length of flavour - it's to be reckoned with. twodegrees.co.nz