The rain was tipping down as we ate breakfast – the first poor weather of the tour so far.
However, with our hotel overlooking the Remarkables mountain range on one side and Lake Wakatipu on the other, you can’t help but feel optimistic!
Our first stop was to the biodynamic Domaine Rewa – a tiny vineyard planted with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling.
We met viticulturalist Grant and Biodynamics instigator Sue.
An amazing couple of hours unfolded as we got deep into the vines, received a masterclass in understanding pruning, controlling yield, the differences between varieties, the control of frost and the details of the microclimate. Sue showed us the various biodynamic preparations prepared with cow manure, valerian, basalt, chamomile and spoke informatively about the whole Steiner inspired philosophy.
There is no cellar door so we brought our own glasses and stood in the vineyard and tasted:
- Riesling 2012
- Chardonnay 2012
- Rose 2013
- Pinot Noir 2012
Characterful, stylish wines – where better to taste but on the very land that the grapes were grown!
From Rewa it was a short hop to Wild Earth. This is a restaurant owned by Quintin Quider, formerly an Abalone and Mussel diver from Los Angeles, who has now turned his attentions to making wines, with Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir planted in the prime Bannockburn area.
We enjoyed a five dish tasting lunch matched with five different wines followed by the three dish dessert platter served with his botrytis Riesling.
Utterly fabulous experience – even more amazing as he cooks everything in a barrel cooker – an extraordinary invention that needs to be seen to be believed.
We tasted:
- Riesling 2011
- Pinot Gris 2014
- Rose 2014
- Deep Cove Pinot Noir 2011
- Pinot Noir 2010
- Reserve Pinot Noir 2010
- Late Harvest Botrytis Riesling 2011
Just one more day of visits to go – and the first of my three New Zealand tours will be over.