Mar 1
I think that could have been officially the best Monday I've ever had to date! Thanks Central Otago I've had a fantastic, fun and enlightening trip! I can't wait to be back!
The rain didn't dampen my spirits one little bit! It was a magical Monday - started off on the right foot with GeorgeFMs miraculous reggae, YEAH YEAH! I headed on my drive over to Alexandra which took me through one of the most amazing drives I've had in my beloved NZ. It was something different - like something out of a movie - maybe a movie called something like "When Western Cowboys meet Mars". I don't know but I've never seen anything quite like it.
Alexandra and Gibbston were my favourite places of this whole trip for different reasons. Gibbston seems to have a lot more money thrown at the "Tasting Room" experience, coupled with foreign tasting coordinators and bus loads of tourists while still managing to maintain an intimate, quirky feel to it. I enjoyed meeting everyone on my trip through Gibbston, but nothing can quite compare to Alexandra.
There aren't many tasting rooms in Alex but theres a heap of history! My first stop of the day was at Dry Gully where I met one of the first original winegrowers of the region. Here they had an old stable made from schist set up as a tasting room/wine store. They only do tastings by appointment and I wonder if thats mainly because there isn't a huge "wine tasting/touring" vibe to Alex - visitors here seem to be more about fresh fruit and biking the rail trail than wine tasting. But it was lovely to meet the owner Bill who told me the history behind the 100y old stable door and I departed with a lovely gift of 06 Pinot Noir!
I then headed to Como Villa which isn't on the wine map unfortunately but it is definitely worth a visit! There again was a 100y old building made from schist converted into a venue. The land was purchased with this building being used as a storage without adding much value to the property. The current owners have restored it and discovered lots of old possum traps and utensils and all sorts of old things in the back yard which decorate the walls. Premium Pinot Noir is just a bonus to this venue and adds an extra bit of romance to this rustic beautiful venue. To add to the greatness of my day the owner offered me a quick spin in his 1923 restored Dodge pickup truck!! WOW! Absolutely loved it!
After meeting the founder of the stunning vineyard Drumsara and his old door, Hinton winery which is beautifully positioned right next to the old rail trail and according to Sarah Hinton is constantly being cycled by tourists and "lots of Aucklanders!", I then headed to Shaky Bridge winery. There I met a friend of a friend to the owner of Pride Mountain Vineyards (my employer) in USA! What a small world it is! I love it!
now, whats next? Marlborough?
