Staying with a Goldschmidt at the Goldschmit Vineyard!

Tuesday 7 October

So peaceful on the vineyard, the silence wakened me just after 7am, and I peeped out the window to see a glorious golden landscape surrounding us.

The wind was forecast to increase again through the day so we set up the bikes and took off in a big loop round the vineyards - out to Nautilus, up to Renwick then back along Jacksons & Rapaura, passing many old favourites from our January sojourn along the way - Cloudy Bay, Allan Scott, Moa Brewery & Roots Gin Shack - but all were closed on an off-season Tuesday morning. The wind in our faces along Rapaura, heading home was quite the challenge - thank goodness for Ebikes!

The cycling had twinged Louis back a bit so he hit the pool in Blenheim and I did laundry and op shopping. Came out ahead on the latter - dropped off two mugs at the SPCA and came back with one purchase… Josh’s Christmas present from the Sallies!

Late lunch of leftover frittata at Banjo then a chill afternoon on the vineyard before cooking dinner for our hosts, Luke & Yamille. I walked several rows of vines to feed my Fitbit and it was fascinating seeing the tiny sproutings of the next season's vines. We stayed here 10-11 weeks later in the year last December and it was green leaves and grapes as far as the eye could see.

Lovely to meet Yamille, and great to catch up with Luke, even though he did get Louis drunk on Pisco sours!!!