American winemakers pursue their passion in two of the worlds most exciting wine regions: The Douro Valley & Central Otago
Chicago, Ill. (June 4, 2015) – Chasing Harvest, the boutique, premium wine brand handcrafted by the husband and wife team of Mike Kush and Jennifer Kingen Kush, is proud to offer wines reflecting unique offerings sourced from two of the worlds most exciting wine regions – The Douro Valley, Portugal, and Central Otago, New Zealand.
The Chasing Harvest brand name represents the couple’s travel between the Northern and Southern hemisphere for the harvest, which happen at opposite times of the year. Although they call Chicago home, the duo spends a few months of each year in both wine regions: New Zealand (spring) and Portugal (fall). Having strong partnerships with local growers in these regions has afforded them the opportunity to produce their own label from top vineyards. They work together in every step of the process to make wines that are full of character and pair well with food.
“We’ve traveled the world working in various wine regions and decided to start our own personal wine label after being encouraged by some winemaker friends,” said Mike Kush, winemaker. “Having worked in many wine regions, we were particularly intrigued and inspired by The Douro Valley and Central Otago because the climates, traditions and wines are so very different.”
The Douro Valley, Portugal
Portugal made waves in the wine world last year when Wine Spectator magazine unveiled its Top 100 List, with three of its top four wines coming from The Douro Valley. As one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world, the region is famous for making sweet fortified wines. Known best for its ports, there is also a new movement to produce high quality dry table wines with these traditional grapes. Portuguese wine exports, including port and table wine, rose 7.6 percent in the first 11 months of 2012 to $862 million from the same period a year earlier, according to the country’s National Statistics Institute. Chasing Harvest offers a Douro DOC Vinho Tinto red blend (225 cases) that is sourced from a very old single vineyard. The suggested retail price is $22 per bottle.
Central Otago, New Zealand
New Zealand wine imports continue to gain ground in the U.S. (+12% in 2013 at 3.1 million cases), with much of the growth in the premium-and-above range. Central Otago, New Zealand, boasts one of the most southern vineyards in the world. Known for producing world-class Pinot Noir, it is also one of the youngest wine regions with the oldest vines around 40 years of age. Chasing Harvest released 200 cases of its 2011 Central Otago Pinot Noir for a suggested retail price of $35. This spring, the couple will release a limited edition Riesling for a suggested retail price of $23.
Mike & Jenn met in college at Purdue University. While studying engineering as an undergrad, Mike enrolled in several wine appreciation classes and then decided to accept a position in California at Alderbrook winery in Healdsburg, CA. Jenn was equally passionate about wine and travel and joined Mike “chasing harvest” starting in New Zealand in 2007. Since that time, Mike & Jenn have worked approximately 24 vintages around the world in Germany, France, South Africa, California, Italy, Argentina, Portugal, and New Zealand. A bus roll of the couple’s journey, with “Via Chicago” as a tribute to their home, inspired the design for the Chasing Harvest label. Simple and clean, it was created by Christy Smith, owner of design firm Studio Kast and lists all of the countries in which they have worked a vintage.
“We started our project out of pure passion, but we hope our label will continue to grow,” said Jenn Kingen Kush. “It’s incredibly rewarding to share our portfolio with wine enthusiasts and watch them respond positively.
Chasing Harvest wines are currently available in select on- and off-premise establishments in Chicago, Southern California, and New Zealand. For more information (including tasting notes) and to sign up for the brand’s mailing list, please visit www.chasingharvest.com
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