Joelle Thomson says a fond ‘au revoir’ as one of the wine industry’s leading lights steps back… 

“It’s over but not out,” said Clive Weston in the April/May issue of Drinksbiz this year. With these words, Clive – also known as ‘Clivée’ to many in the drinks trade – departed his role as head of Negociants New Zealand in late May. 

The company he headed up for the best part of three decades is one that is widely regarded as a leader amongst the wine importers and distributors in this country. Clive’s words “over but not out” have been repeated at least half a dozen times by Wellingtonians in the drinks trade this year, many of whom have asked me for details of what we drank at Clive’s farewell in the windy city, which was held at Boulcott Street Bistro. 

It’s hard to think of a more fitting location for an ‘au revoir’ to one of the most debonair guys in wine, and although it’s not easy to remember all the exact details of the event, suffice it to say that Clivée was, as always, the consummate host. He looked out for those around him to ensure their wine and food matches were the best available, and as the day began with Bollinger and oysters served al fresco, the matches worked pretty well from there. The decadence continued with Conterno Chardonnay from Piemonte contrasting deliciously well with Nautilus Chardonnay from Marlborough. There was something impressive from Australian ungrafted vines and something even more impressive from Spain in a very large, very memorable bottle. There was Warre’s Vintage Port and then, to wind things down, there was pink Bollinger, along with quirky high-end gin and tonic. 

The subject leads into a broader discussion as to why wines from Waiheke are relatively rare in Auckland bars and restaurants and ditto Martinborough’s wines, which are in surprisingly short supply in Wellington’s bar and restaurant scene. You’d think we didn’t have a great wine region just 90 minutes’ drive from the capital. 

Names? Vintages? I knew you were going to ask. 

More importantly, we discovered where the name Clivée came from. I won’t try to replicate the dry humour with which the story was told, but the name came about on a trip to France when Clive introduced himself to a young French woman as “Clivée”. “The French find it notoriously difficult to pronounce English words, so I made it easier for her,” he explained. 

The name stuck. So much so that the entire New Zealand wine industry has come to know the elder statesman we love, as Clivée. 

It was a privilege to be at his farewell lunch. As it has been to attend all the great tastings, lunches, dinners, speeches and thoughtful insights that Clive has hosted over the decades. His laidback demeanour, great palate, and insightful knowledge have all ensured that he endeared himself to those across the industry. Not to mention the rise of brands he has been in charge of representing. González Byass, anyone? Catena Zapata? Or what about Bollinger RD? There are so many and Clive has left them in the capable hands of newly appointed Managing Director Andrew Parkinson, who is no stranger to great wine. He worked his way up from the Regent Hotel in Auckland where he led the beverage department, winning awards for the well put together wine list, then moved back to Wellington where he was at Beaujolais Wine Bar prior to returning to Auckland in 2005 to work for Negociants New Zealand. 

So, here’s a toast to Clivée and to Andrew. Saluté. 

Note: Clive Weston received a Lewisham Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in June, 2021. In 2015 he received the Sir George Fistonich Medal to recognise his services to New Zealand wine and in 2009 he was inducted into the National Restaurant Association of New Zealand’s Hall of Fame for services to the hospitality industry. 

Joelle Thomson is an Journalist, wine writer and author.

joellethomson.com