Winter Vines - Marlborough Wine Region

For me, there's something quite mesmerising about soldier-like rows of grapes marching across the the landscape.

I took these photos in the autumn of 2010, when I was travelling in Marlborough.

A rolling, twisting, undulating mass of vines lurching over the low hills.

Green, gold, brown bleeding together.

Smoke from an autumn fire swirling lazily toward the hills.

May 2010, Ajr.

The Intensity of Autumn

Vibrant Autumn Gold

All the Richer

Against Wet Day Skies

Raupara Road

Blenheim

Marlborough

May 2010. Ajr

A Vineyard Moment

It was autumn when I got to the Hawke's Bay in May and all the vines were turning lustrous shades of red and gold. Sadly, the weather was not quite what we've come to expect from the Hawke's Bay - grey overcast skies rather than the usual vibrant blue, but somehow it didn't matter. Regardless of the time of year you visit, this part of New Zealand - slung out on the North Island's east coast - offers food and wine lovers some of the best experiences in the country. From superb farmers' markets, orchards, chocolate-makers and boutique preserve makers to over 45 wineries producing everything from cabernet sauvignon to riesling, chardonney, sauvignon blanc and sweet dessert wines, it's a feast from dawn to dark. You'll also find some of the loveliest boutique accommodation here, with something to suit all budgets. www.hawkesbaynz.com

Winter Vineyard

Gibbston Valley, Central Otago. May 2009. Ajr

A Stretch of Vines

Morning Mist

Central Otago

Hillside Vines

Motukarara, Canterbury. February 2009 Ajr

Summer Vines

Marching Down the Hill

At Motukarara Just Out of Christchurch

(A Small Panorama)

More Queenstown Vines

Morning Mist

Over Anthem Vineyard

Gibbston Valley, Queenstown

www.anthem.co.nz

Winter Vineyards

Gibbston Valley, Central Otago. May 2009. Ajr

Gnarled Winter Vines

Huddled Under Nets

At Peregrine

In Gibbston Valley, Near Queenstown

http://www.peregrinewines.co.nz/

Autumn Vines

Gisborne. May 2009. Ajr

The Gisborne region is New Zealand's second-largest producer of Chardonnay grapes after Marlborough, growing over one third of the nation's crop. It was all looking very picturesque when I sailed through the winery region a few weeks back - warm, sunny, balmy and very very golden. www.gisbornenz.com

NZ's Northernmost Winery

Karikari Estate, Karikari Peninsular, Far North. April 2009. Ajr

This was where I spent my birthday last week - well.....not actually sleeping over in the winery, but very nearby at Carrington. And this is Karikari Estate, New Zealand's northernmost winery and vineyard, steep on a hill overlooking spectacular beach views.

A Vineyard Autumn

Vines Turning Gold

@

Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana

April 2009. Ajr

Canterbury Vines

Soldier-like rows

Creeping Up A Slope

Near Motukarara

Just out of Christchurch

Jan. 2009. Ajr

Vineyard Retreats

View of Millar Road vineyard by Brian Culy. Image supplied.

It's hard to imagine waking up to a prettier sight than this.

Napier photographer Brian Culy took this shot from the classy vineyard retreat of Millar Road - a sublime rural retreat ten minutes or so from Havelock North in the North Island. It's the brainchild of Greg, Ginny and Jeremy Collinge, who have created the perfect hideaway for lovers of good wine, good food, good art and good times. www.millarroad.co.nz

Autumn Vineyards

Waipara Wine Region, North Canterbury, NZ. 2007. Ajr

It may be cold here now but it's still pretty. Take this colourful scene for instance - the Waipara Wine Region, forty minutes north of Christchurch, where over 80 vineyards are casting a golden-red glow across the beautiful rolling landscape.