Adventures in New Zealand - Napier

Shannon and I enjoying a street side cafe

Taking a break from "learning"

Playing on the East Coast of the Pacific Ocean

Dolphin Snacks!!

Adventures in New Zealand - Marlborough Part II

There is too much fun to have in Marlborough in one day so we had to expand our visits over two days. Here is more of our adventures.....

Drew and Phil learning all about Saint Clair!  The winery was so nice and let us take over their lab during harvest.  (It was the only room big enough for all of us!)

Albert and I were learning too!

They had fun labels.

Tasting rooms are called "Cellar Doors" in New Zealand and most of them have dining facilities. 

Group shot at Saint Clair.  Now we are getting artistic!

Sacred Hill Estates.  We went out to see their vineyard operations.  No wineries here, just grapes.  Lots and lots of grapes!

And of course...wine!

And our group shot!

My bus buddy through New Zealand.  Steve and I both get a little tummy trouble on buses so we always sat up front next to each other.

Adventures in New Zealand - Marlborough/Blenheim

Our New Zealand adventures are slowly taking us northern up the country. We left Queenstown and headed for the Marlborough region which is most popular for Sauvignon Blanc.  Well, that is really what all of NZ is known for but Marlborough is the SB capital!

Our first stop was to Drylands which is owned by Constellation.  They are a major producer of SB.  They wouldn't tell us the exact number of cases but let's just say looking at their facility, it is probably close to 1 million cases.  Their head winemaker showed us around the property which was very nice since they are right in the middle of harvest.  At the end of the tour, he guided us through a competitive tasting of Sauv Blanc.  It was very interesting trying all of the different brands and seeing the similarities and differences between each of the expressions.

This property was probably the most similar in arrangement to Sonoma-Cutrer.  This is only a production facility.  All of their sales, marketing, finance, etc is located at their parent company, back in the US.

Lots and lots of production capacity!

Instead of pumping out tanks, they had hydrolic tippers custom made for them 

Harvest may be tough work but at least the workers have a nice view.

They arranged a competitive tasting of all of Constellation's New Zealand brands.

Can't forget the group shot!

Shannon and I happy to be learning.

Our afternoon facility brought us to a custom crush facility.  Basically, what that means is that people who don't have their own winery, pay Marlborough Vintner's to produce wine for them.  A lot of these types of brands are called virtual brands or phantom brands.  There really is no "place" just a label and a story.

Their winemaker is from Chile and has been working here for a number of years.  He was telling us in the off season, they also make cider and fruit juices to keep the cash flow coming into the business.

Marlborough Vintner's had a Chilean winemaker!

Making wine

Our photographer got a little artistic with this one.

Safety first!  We didn't want a forklift to run over anyone.

Adventures in New Zealand - Central Otago

Let the education begin! Field trips are so much more fun when you are getting an EMBA! :)

Our first day of wine visits took us to Central Otago. Central Otago is the southern most wine producing region in the world specializing in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. The area was first planted in the late 70's but really took of in the 90's. (See, I really am learning something on this trip!)

Our first visit was to Felton Road Winery. The owner, Nigel, took us around to show us his Bio-Dynamic (BD) winery. He explained that BD for him wasn't about moon cycles, magic potions and fairies dancing in the vineyard. For him, it was more about having a "closed ranch." Being completely sustainable and producing everything they needed within their own area and not relaying on chemicals and synthetics. It must be working because his wines were amazing!

Can you see the snow capped mountain in the background?

Sadly, Gab was MIA for our group photo.

Our next stop was for lunch at Carrick Vineyards.  Today was their first day of harvest so we weren't able to take a full vineyard tour but we did talk to the winemaker for a few minutes.  This trip was interesting to me because the Hospitality Manager showed us around.  Finally, one of my "people" to talk to!

Not a bad view from the tasting room!  I suggested they put in croquet courts.  :)

Lunch spread.  They make everything onsite or source it from within the town.

Yeah!  We found Gab!

The entire group.

Our last stop for the day was Burn Cottage.  The hit of the visit were the baby cattle.  They were so fluffy and cute none of us wanted to pay attention to winemaker! 

See what I mean, they are SO CUTE!

OK, time to get back to "education"

Adventures in New Zealand - Queenstown

I made it to New Zealand! I have to say I was dreading the 13.5 hour flight over but it wasn't bad at all. We departed at 8:45pm, I had dinner with a glass of wine, watched part of a movie, took my sleeping pill and I was out for the next 8 hours! I woke up just in time for breakfast and we landed an hour later. It was fantastic. :)

Our first stop in the adventure is in Queenstown. Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world and our group wasted no time seeking out adventure. Our first night, we rode the gondola up to the Skyline Restaurant. It had a gorgeous view of the city and was a great first glimpse into the adventures that were ahead for us. After the restaurant we headed into town to check out the night life. We ended up going to the Ice Bar - a bar completely made out of ice. Tables, glasses, sculptures, you name it. Everything was ice!

Our first full day was jam packed with adventure. I went paragliding with Gab and then jet boat riding and bicycle riding with some of my classmates! At the end of the day I could barely keep my eyes open and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Paragliding was amazing. They normally take off from the top of the gondola but there wasn't any wind so we hiked up 400 more vertical feet to see what the top of the mountain looked it. I'm so glad we did because we had a much better view and a longer ride (more for your money!). It was so peacefully floating down and my pilot added a little adventure by doing some spirals and swings. I can't wait to do it again.

 After paragliding, Gab and I ran into more friends who were going Jet Boat riding so we decided to join them. These boats go crazy speeds through the canyons and then do 360 degree turns. It was a crazy adventure and I'm glad to say we survived it!

We definitely have started the trip out with adventure but now it is time to settle down and start learning. Tomorrow takes us to the wineries and education...

Looking down into downtown Queenstown

Stephanie and I at the top of Skyline

Getting ready to go into the ice bar.  Their marketing is incorrect, it was minus 9 degrees, not 5!

Sure am glad they gave us jackets, gloves and boots.  It was cold in there!  Everything was made from ice.

Cheers!  Prema and I with our ice glasses.

Gab and I went Paragliding.  There wasn't any wind at the lower jump site so we had to hike up to the higher one.  3,000 feet seems like a good height to jump off a mountain.  :)

Gab and I ready to go!

Weeee!  My pilot was awesome.  We flew all over Queenstown, did a few spins and he simulated bungy jumping.  Best experience ever!

Flying over Queenstown

Queenstown with the lake in the background.

Safely back on the ground.

Shotover Jet Boat Rides!  We are about to get on that boat and go through the canyons at top speeds.

Ready to board the boat!

Weeee!

As if the day wasn't jam packed with adventure already, we decided to end with a bicycle ride around the lake.  My bottom is still sore.  :)