Wine away a weekend

With the restrictions on international travel, we’ve been given the chance to rediscover beautiful Aotearoa, with all its glorious landscapes, adventures to embark on and interesting places to visit. Summer 2021 activities are coming online fast, and it’s looking like many of us will be out and about enjoying some of the best of our own big blue backyard. New Zealand wine people are a part of this backyard, with many of them offering the chance to visit them in person and enjoy some of their particular brand of hospitality.

Somms need to keep their finger on the pulse of the world of wine and beverages, and there’s no better, more authentic or enjoyable way to do this than to travel to the source. We’re usually headed overseas many, many times a year – and we have no intention of not travelling – so we’ve been enjoying even more in-depth explorations of our own fine wine regions. Recent stops throughout the North and South Islands have reminded us of some cellar door experiences, and introduced a few we weren’t familiar with. Overall, the offerings are fun, varied and top notch.

First impressions really make a difference and a cellar door experience should be more than the opportunity to taste wine. Everything from arriving, the greeting and overall hospitality are a part of the package and it’s exciting to see so many doing a great job.

Cellar doors need to sell food if they’re going to offer wine by anything more than sample, so these offerings have become an important layer in the overall experience – if it’s done well it will be remembered and recommended. I’ve recently enjoyed selections ranging from simple platters through to full gourmet degustation menu fine dining.

The sorts of things that make a difference are attention to details - ensuring bottled water and good good coffee are available, making sure the loos are spotlessly clean, that all hygiene practices and Covid-19 tracing is part of the routine, that the parking arrangements are straightforward.

Wineries taking their cellar door offerings seriously sometimes charge for tastings – the added benefit is having trained staff offer a guided experience (valuing high quality staff is an important part of any business). Most, if not all, providers deduct the tasting cost when a wine purchase is made.

So add wine tasting and cellar door exploration to your summer travel itineraries – whether close to home or during your Aotearoa wanderings.

Stockgrove Road, Waipara, North Canterbury

Located in the Waipara Valley no more than an hours’ drive north of Christchurch is the Pegasus Bay winery and cellar door tasting room.

Named after the large nearby bay and the winged white horse of ancient myth - Pegasus Bay has been growing and producing fine wine for more than 30 years.

A visit to the property offers more than the cellar door experience, with an opportunity to meander through and explore the vast grounds with several hectares of landscaped gardens and walkways. The cellar door typically has 15 or more wines open for tasting, which is quite a large offering, and with a selection of aged wine for sale there’s quite the story to be told through the wine and by the staff.

While there are many wines I could recommend from the Peg’ Bay portfolio, the Bel Canto dry Riesling, Prima Donna Pinot Noir and Maestro Merlot Malbec are among my favourites. Also, be sure to try wines from their Vergence label – the ‘White’ is a fascinating blend of six different varieties.

Pegasus’ beautiful, award-winning restaurant (with outdoor seating that extends into the garden) has switched from lunchtime a la carte to a premium events venue, with guests able to hire out the space for weddings, work events and special occasions. This season they’re also putting on a number of their own events open to the public such as the enticing ‘Collab Sessions’ - delicious collaborations with guest chefs on a 5-course lunch complete with matched aged wines from the Pegasus Bay cellar.

Open seven days from December 1 st . There’s a nominal tasting fee of $10. +64 3 314 6869 info@pegasusbay.com pegasusbay.com

133 Puruatanga Road, Ponatahi, Martinborough

One of the most important wine regions in Aotearoa is the Wairarapa. Some of the early wine pioneers of New Zealand established vineyards here and some of the very first Pinot Noir vine cuttings were also planted here in the early 1880s.

Of the many fine wine producers there today, Luna Estate is one to know and visit. About an hours’ drive north east of Wellington over the Rimutaka Hills along highway 53 and just outside the main square of Martinborough is the Luna Estate winery and tasting cellar door.

Wines for tasting are from the estate and single vineyards sites each showcasing their own distinctive profile, flavours and textures.

It’s not just a cellar door so feel free to stay and enjoy a glass of wine with some of the fine food - I recently sampled a few dishes from the new Asian-inspired summer menu – all rather delicious.

Outside there are landscaped gardens to explore and a play area for children and canine companions.

If you are planning a visit this summer, be sure to try the Blue Rock Syrah, Eclipse Chardonnay and Estate Pinot Gris.

Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 am; lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner Friday and Saturday evenings. +64 6 306 9360 cellardoor@lunaestate.co.nz lunaestate.co.nz

180 Brancott Road, Fairhall, Marlborough

The first dedicated Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in Marlborough was established in 1979 at the Brancott Estate. The sudden increase in popularity and now world demand for New Zealand’s most important variety started at this place. After winning gold at the Easter Show in 1980, first exports to the United Kingdom in 1982 and winning the coveted Marquis de Goulaine trophy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was catapulted to international wine stardom.

You can experience the brand, the history and the 21st-century chapter of the Brancott story at the architecturally designed Heritage Vineyard site, which offers stunning elevated views overlooking the Marlborough landscape and historic vines.

Available for hosted private tastings as well as events and functions, the alfresco area is ideal for pre-dinner festivities of up to 50, the main dining area provides panoramic views for an idyllic backdrop to any seated event of 60 -70 people or standing up to 120, and The Board Room offers privacy for business meetings or dining for smaller groups.

While it is a dedicated event venue, currently all of the key brands are available for glass pour and enquiries for events will include a tasting of the Estate, Showcase, Letter and Chosen Rows wines.

There are many fine wines produced through the portfolio, but if you’re keen on a recommendation then be sure to try the Chardonnay from the Letter series and Sauvignon Blanc from Chosen Rows. Brancottestate.com Instagram: @brancottestate

10 Lake Hayes Road, Queenstown

The Amisfield cellar door and restaurant is an easy 10-minute drive from Queenstown airport in Central Otago. The atmosphere and the staff are welcoming and attention to detail is obvious.

The story of Amisfield and the key vineyard site begins in 1999 when founder John Darby managed to purchase an old Merino Station in the Cromwell Basin through the Kawarau Gorge (this is also the winery location).

The wines are not only delicious, but cellar worthy too - their reserve range and R.K.V Pinot Noir are fantastic. My favourite wine currently from the range is their 2016 vintage Méthode Traditionnelle.

The dining at Amisfield Bistro has won awards – deservedly so. There’s a four-course lunch available – the paua pie is a must-try – and a five- or seven-course dinner – with wine selection easy to arrange. Recently, Tony Stewart, from the iconic Clooney in Auckland, and (even more recently) Marek Przyborek, an awarded sommelier, have added strength to the team. At the cellar door a $10 tasting fee is deducted from your wine purchase - a private bespoke style tasting can also be organised if you are serious about fine wine discoveries. +64 3 442 0556 cellardoor@amisfield.co.nz amisfield.co.nz

DESERT HEART

182B Felton Road, Bannockburn, Central Otago

The majestic, rugged and weathered landscapes of Central Otago are breathtaking and wines from the region are world class. The increase in cellar door opportunities mean you can taste some of that delicious wine, enjoy some beautifully prepared food and take-in some of those amazing views all at the same location.

Welcome to Desert Heart. Partners in business and in life, two of my favourite people and great friends, Denny Downie and Jane Gill, own and operate Desert Heart Estate.

It’s a small, boutique vineyard, which hosts a tasting room, cellar door and the Desert Heart Kitchen. This is where their wines are created, with mindfulness and attention to detail.

Boutique in size, their vineyard is just 1.1 hectares. There was a first Desert Heart site just a little further along the same road. The potential in their new property is obvious when you taste through the wine selection which currently includes Mackenzies 2012 and 2013 Pinot Noir; Seduction 2012 Pinot Noir. Also for tasting is a Pinot Gris 2019 and a brand new Rosé 2020. It makes the $5 per head tasting fee an easy investment – deducted from a bottle purchase.

Jane’s hospitality expertise and chef background means the gourmet platters and small bites are a focus – on a warm day sitting out on the lawn with a glass of their finest is a chance to catch your breath and appreciate the vista.

The cellar door is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11.30am to 4.30pm. +64 3 445 3258 wines@desertheart.co.nz desertheart.co.nz