Marlbough

Finally! The wine country!!!! Rained today so we thought that would be a good time to have a few drinks and drive on these NZ roads so off to the wine country!!!!! Hell, you always hear that it’s the drunk that survives the crash so lets get prepared, just in case…

Not really, If any kids (especially mine) are reading this, I’ve never had a drink and then driven a car. Well, maybe once, but I wasn’t drunk. Well, maybe once but I was very careful and used the curb to make sure the car stayed straight. Enough, Collette said to do it, so we’re doing it!

Drove for the better of 2hrs on typical (right, left, right, left) roads and found the sweet, mother-loving wine country. Collette had picked out 4 wineries to see, but first on the list was “Spy Valley” winery. Interesting how they came about their name. Seems there are a few radomes and antennas at a nearby Gov’t site that monitors communications. Now, some of us have been to Alice where there are radomes and antennas monitoring communications, but there sure isn’t a damn winery next to it! These Kiwi’s have thought of everything! Bet I know how lunch hour goes….

Spy Valley, like most Marlbough wineries, grows and bottles white wines. Although there is one winery here that grows a merlot/cab mix, by and large this is white wine country. The little woman couldn’t be happier, and that’s important. Tasting is still free at most of these wineries, but if there is a fee, it’s taken off the price of a bottle so basically free.

Spy Valley

Not to bore everyone (yeah, right. Jessie, Doug, Barb and the spammers wanting me to increase my circulation) but here are a few pretty good whites: Jimmy Carter; Neil Armstrong, Steve Jobs, Bob Stannard (my Father-in-law)…. Sorry, how about Spy Valley – Envoy Sauvignon Blanc, Spy Valley Chardonnay; Clos Henri Pinot Noir & Sauvignon Blanc; Sererin Estates Chardonnay; and  Hans Herzog Sauvignon Blanc & Merlot/Cabernet. Just to name a few excellent NZ wines, so Doug, get out there and find some!  Pinot Noir has become my go-to drink while here in NZ!

Clos Henri tasting room

Serensen tasting room

Hans Herzog tasting room

Had a great time this evening. Ingrid and Ash, the home owners, came over for wine and conversation. Great couple with lots in common (wine, wine, wine, wine and travel). Ingrid is from South Africa and Ash from England and living in NZ for the last 15 or so years. Fun people who really make you feel at home. Who knows, maybe we’ll see them in Colorado in the future.