This story is a tribute to my late father Denis Kasza.
He was a viticulturist and oenologist (winemaker), and I talk often about how his knowledge and guidance still influences me strongly in my work, every single day.
What many people don’t know, however, is how influential Dad was in establishing the wine industry in New Zealand. So I’m really proud, and thrilled, that a beautiful new book, by respected New Zealand wine writer Keith Stewart, is helping change that..
Titled ‘Chancers and Visionaries – A History of Wine in New Zealand’, it was launched recently at a function at Waitangi (famous as the place where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, and, I was surprised to learn, also the site of the first plantings of grapes in New Zealand).
Keith was kind enough to invite members of our whole family to attend, and it wasn’t until we actually saw a copy of his book that we realised how significant this was: Keith has dedicated it to my father. I don’t mind admitting that when I opened the cover and read his dedication I was moved to tears.
In telling the story of New Zealand wine, Keith has confirmed what our family, and many of Dad’s peers already knew: my father’s influence and work was crucial to the establishment and development of this country’s wine industry.
A chapter of Keith’s book goes into more detail, but if you’d like a sneak preview, check out the video clip below, courtesy of TV3’s ‘ASB Business’ programme. In it, Keith discusses my father’s role in the wine business. Wow, it made me and my family feel great to hear Dad’s name, and his story, spoken of on national TV!
Not a day goes by in my work when I don’t think about my dad. I thank him for educating me in things botanical, and instilling the passion which inspired me to create evolu. And I especially thank Keith Stewart, whose thorough research is bringing Dad some overdue recognition.
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I saw this book in Paper Plus today. What a fabulous tribute to your father – in respect to this I shall toast to him next time we crack a bottle of NZ’s finest open.
Hey Kati -
Amazing and great story! I have been inspired to go out & plonk down some nosh for Keith’s book and have a good read about your father (and the other pioneers and dreamers). I am currently stuck into Max Allen’s new book ‘The Future Makers: Australian Wines for the 21st Century’ which is more about today & tomorrow but includes lots of fascinating historical stories he almost had to tell to lay the groundwork for the future talk.
When I was a wee boy my family moved to the town of Sewickley, PA and the house we moved into came with a library which contained dozens of books on Sewickley’s history. I was amazed as I read them how many of my family’s relatives had been crucial to the founding and growth of the town. I had a Captain Fred Way who piloted a paddle boat up the rivers; one of my uncles started and edited the local rag the Sewickley Herald; another uncle was one of the founders of Sewickley Academy which I myself attended; and one of my aunts was a very well known or famous oil painter. Things I would not have known if someone had not thought them important enough to put into a book!
Great to meet you….
Duncan