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

The Negative Versus The Positive

Marlborough. May 2009. Ajr

I drove through Marlborough a few weeks ago on my way to Nelson and as I motored along Raupara Road - famous for its many wineries and vineyards - I ground to halt to photograph this amazing driveway... at Wairau River Wines if my memory serves me correctly. I'm a sucker for a good tree-lined driveway, especially one that hints at the spaces beyond; and this one, with it's perfect house-shaped ending, was too good to drive by. It's a classic example of how negative space can be just as interesting (if not more so) than the positive space. www.wairauriverwines.co.nz

Hillside Vines

Motukarara, Canterbury. February 2009 Ajr

Summer Vines

Marching Down the Hill

At Motukarara Just Out of Christchurch

(A Small Panorama)

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

Autumn Wine

Arisan Wines, Oratia, West Auckland. April 2009. Ajr

The vines were looking almost-bridal at Artisan Wines at Oratia in West Auckland this morning - gorgeous in the soft, grey morning light. www.artisanwines.co.nz

Wine Tasting .......

Image Courtesy of Auckland Tourism 2007.

At Stonyridge

Waiheke Island

www.stonyridge.com

Sleeping Among the Vines

Images supplied by Herzog Winery & Restaurant, Blenheim.

Herzog Winery and Restaurant in Blenheim has been recognised by Wine Spectator magazine as having one of the best wine lists in the world. It's a culinary oasis in the middle of Blenheim's vineyard area - a beautiful spot complete with Michelin star-rated chefs, a stylish Cellar Door, cooking classes and an exclusive Chef's Kitchen dining experience. It's the sort of place you never want to leave - and now you don't have too because owners, Hans and Therese Herzog have turned this cute little cottage into a luxurious, private stay just a few steps from their soldier-like rows of vines. Simply indulge yourself in some of the finest food and wine in the country and then fall into bed. http://www.herzog.co.nz/

Victorian Vines

Hanging Rock Vineyard, Woodend Victoria, Australia. Image Supplied.

I love this view of the sun-burnt grape vines at Hanging Rock Winery, near Woodend, where I stayed recently. As unrelenting and brutal as the sun can be in Australia, I do love the deep blue skies that come with it. And it's got to be good for wine production. Hanging Rock Vineyard is close to the Macedon Ranges, one of the coolest grape growing regions of Australia and they produce an impressive array of award-winning red and white wines. http://www.hangingrock.com.au/

The Flagship Wines

Hanging Rock wines. Nov.2008. Ajr

I was very taken with the presentation of Hanging Rock Winery’s flagship wine, the sparkling Macedon, a Champagne-style sparkling wine unashamedly modelled on Krug and Bollinger. The Macedon LD NV Late Disgorged comes in a great little silver wire box (far left above) and is recognised as one of Australia’s top sparkling wines – and one of the main reasons people head straight for Hanging Rock Winery when they’re in the area. www.hangingrock.com.au

Winery Architecture - Another Take.

Top: Elephant Hill Winery; Bottom: Craggy Range Winery. 2007-2008. Ajr.

When it comes to winery architecture, Arrowtown-based architect, John Blair is one of the most experienced in New Zealand and along with Christchurch architect, Charlie Nott, he has formed a separate company, Winemark, geared specifically towards winery design. It’s a testament to the growth of New Zealand wine tourism that the pair has more winery projects on their books than almost any other New Zealand practice. One of Blair’s most iconic designs is Craggy Range in the Hawke’s Bay. The Giant’s Winery Complex is a coherent and commanding collection of rural-inspired buildings that includes the famous Terroir Restaurant. Not too far away at Te Awanga is one of Blair’s most recently completed winery projects, Elephant Hill – a sleek, turquoise green rectangle in pre-patinated copper that blends seamlessly with the surrounding sea, sky and vines. It was a cloudy day when I visited a couple of months ago but you get some idea of this handsome addition to the landscape. And I believe their classy new restaurant is now open too.

Winery Architecture

Peregrine Wines, Central Otago, NZ, 2007. Ajr

From the permanence of Andrea Palladio’s 1550s design of Villa di Maser wine estate in Veneto, Italy to the iconic splendour of Louis Combes 1810 landmark Bordeaux winery at Chateau Margaux, there are plenty of precedents to suggest that good wine and good architecture make perfect partners. In New Zealand winemakers are as alert as their international counterparts to the potential of creating a unique identity with the help of striking, individual architecture winery design. Peregrine Wines in Central Otago’s Gibbston Valley is a classic example. This spectacular structure - evocative of our native hawk in flight - was designed by Chris Kelly of Architecture Workshop, Wellington and is the only New Zealand building to have ever been named in the prestigious London-based ar+d Emerging Architecture awards.

Check out the Peregrine website if you want to see much better photos. I was in a hurry when I took this and I could have done better.

www.peregrinewines.co.nz