Walking, Wild Flowers and Wine Tasting

Tuesday 20 January

Russ had a bunch of meetings and online work to get on with in the morning, so Louis got on with some video work while Nickie and I went for a lovely walk - down to Hans Herzog, along the Wairau River and back along Paul’s Lane. Lots of glorious wild flowers along the way! The vineyards were edged with wilding agapanthus in a multitude of shades from white, through lilac to heliotrope - stunning - and wild clematis, wild carrot lacecaps and fennel. Along the track by the river, the colourful flora continued with

After office hours were over and we had enjoyed lunch, I chopped up the figs and made fig chutney then we set off for a spot of wine tasting and vineyard tours.

First stop was Cloudy Bay - home of the perennial favourite , Pelorus - a Methode Traditionelle sparkling wine. Tasting included the Pelorus sparkling wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir. After which we went exploring to look at the impressive cellars & winery and take some silly selfies... I'll scan and drop one in if I can find it! Nickie quite fancied a nice warm souvenir rug... except that they cost over $300!!!

After a lovely tasting there, we popped over the road to wander around the Allan Scott winery (where the merch was much cheaper and more fun!) then over to Framingham to have a wee look at their lovely gardens (where sadly the song lyrics on the paving slabs have almost all washed off).

We dropped the car back at the vineyard then strolled through the vines over to No. 1 Family Estate to sample their Methode Traditionelle bubbly - this is one of the oldest vineyards in Blenheim and the creation of legendary Daniel Le Brun. The other three tasted the classic flight of the Assemblé, No.1 Cuvee and No.1 Rosé - and we left with two bottles of the Rosé for later celebrations.

Back to the Fernandivan for steak for dinner, then we revisited our itinerary due to weather warnings coming in across the motu but particularly from the west, before settling into an evening of card games - very civilised!