Drinking in the Christmas spirit
When Sacred Hill Managing Director David Mason thinks about what he is most looking forward to this Christmas – it’s not
the presents, the menu or even the wines he will match with Christmas dinner. It’s about quality time, connections and
creating memories.
Mason runs a high profile wine company with a staff of more than 60 people and spends his work days growing the business
on a global scale. But as demanding and incredibly satisfying as that is, he will always be focussed on his family first
and never more so than at Christmas.
He believes we live in an age of distractions where screens, overscheduling, social media, smartphones, over work and
stress can very easily get in the way of moments of real connection.
“But through all that, one thing that means the most to me is quality time with family and friends. That’s what
Christmas is all about and that’s what I am looking forward to.”
“If you ask me to think back to my most memorable Christmas as a child or as an adult, I don’t think about what Santa
brought me, what we ate or even what wines we drank. The most cherished Christmas memories are about the family and
friends I was with and how that made me feel.”
Mason says his family is lucky as they live on the family farm where he grew up in the beautiful Dartmoor Valley in
Hawke’s Bay. So for them life has always been, and still is, about doing tangible things. It all about prioritising the
real over the virtual.
David will be on the farm with his family this Christmas and of course he’ll be partaking in the festive feast with a
decent glass of wine or two. And his answer to the questions of what to drink with Christmas dinner and how to help make
the day a special occasion…
“We’ll be enjoying a glass of HALO Syrah with our festivities but my advice is not to worry about tradition or
guidelines. Choose whatever fits with your own idea of a special Christmas, something that you will enjoy with those who
matter most. Embrace the occasion – drink in the Christmas atmosphere, don’t stress about the dinner, the presents or
how the house looks, and create the memories that will last a lifetime.”
ENDS