As most of you know, the main reason for our trip to New Zealand was for Ryan to go red stag hunting. Luckily, the outfitter he went with was very good and he got his red stag on day 2. He then wanted to hunt for a fallow deer which took us to another part of the island that I wasn't sure we would get to visit. This set us up to be in the best part of the island for wine tasting. So, after another successful hunt on Friday we had ALL day Saturday to make our way through the wine country of Central Otago.
We started at Three Miners Vineyard out side of Alexandra. This is a small family owned vineyard that just planted it's first vine in 2000 and produced it's first bottle in 2004 (harvest to bottling take a whole year!). When we pulled up the owner was outside doing some work and led us in to the little tasting room and told us about how he got started. His wines have won several accolades in Australia and Asia. Ryan even liked the Pinot Noir (he's not a big wine-o) so I didn't argue when he suggested we bring a bottle back to Singapore!
Alaina and I in front of the entrance sign.
We then made our way to Cromwell to visit Wooing Tree Vineyard. It was another small, family owned vineyard with great wines! I am sucker for a good Pinot Noir so that is of course what I brought home but their Blondie (a unique Blanc de Noir) and Tickled Pink dessert wine were also delish! Wooing Tree has also won many accolades and actually distribute to Singapore. Here's to hoping it doesn't cost an arm and leg to get in Singapore and hoping I can find it! (Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures here but the website is great, click on the link above).
Next stop was Gibbston Valley Cheesery and Winery. We were all starting to get a little hungry at this point and New Zealand is known for it's cheeses. Gibbston Valley is a bigger vineyard (they charge you for tastings) but produce great cheese and wine none the less. Here we skipped the tastings and each ordered a glass and a big yummy platter of cheese, crackers and breads to share.
All in all, our wine tour was successful! I had never done a wine tasting/tour before and what a better place than New Zealand to start. Now, I just want to go to Australia and Napa Valley. ;-)
We started at Three Miners Vineyard out side of Alexandra. This is a small family owned vineyard that just planted it's first vine in 2000 and produced it's first bottle in 2004 (harvest to bottling take a whole year!). When we pulled up the owner was outside doing some work and led us in to the little tasting room and told us about how he got started. His wines have won several accolades in Australia and Asia. Ryan even liked the Pinot Noir (he's not a big wine-o) so I didn't argue when he suggested we bring a bottle back to Singapore!
Alaina and I in front of the entrance sign.
We then made our way to Cromwell to visit Wooing Tree Vineyard. It was another small, family owned vineyard with great wines! I am sucker for a good Pinot Noir so that is of course what I brought home but their Blondie (a unique Blanc de Noir) and Tickled Pink dessert wine were also delish! Wooing Tree has also won many accolades and actually distribute to Singapore. Here's to hoping it doesn't cost an arm and leg to get in Singapore and hoping I can find it! (Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures here but the website is great, click on the link above).
Next stop was Gibbston Valley Cheesery and Winery. We were all starting to get a little hungry at this point and New Zealand is known for it's cheeses. Gibbston Valley is a bigger vineyard (they charge you for tastings) but produce great cheese and wine none the less. Here we skipped the tastings and each ordered a glass and a big yummy platter of cheese, crackers and breads to share.
All in all, our wine tour was successful! I had never done a wine tasting/tour before and what a better place than New Zealand to start. Now, I just want to go to Australia and Napa Valley. ;-)
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