TRENZblog POSTS

Incredible Wine Tour in Central Otago

Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 4, 2011 at 4:39 am

As a part of TRENZ, I had the opportunity to take a wine tour with Appellation Central Wine Tours. It was one of the best wine tours of the entire trip. Our guide, Lain, was exceptional. Friendly, knowledgeable and easy going, he educated, informed and entertained – not an easy thing to do with a group of journalists and travel agents, let me tell you!

Situated at an altitude of 45°south, Central Otago is the most southerly wine region in the world. The region’s shaly soil and climate of hot, dry summers, cool autumns and crisp, cold winters provide excellent grape growing conditions for its 177 vineyards which are producing award-winning wines of exceptional elegance and longevity and world-class Pinot Noirs that are increasingly sought-after.

We had a wine tasting at Gibbston Valley, the first commercial wine producer in the Central Otago region. It is also the location of New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave. In an interesting little moment, the Pinot Noir we were to taste had to be taken out of the small wine cooler in the wine cave. The reason, the cave is too chilled for Pinot Noir and the refrigerator keeps the wine at a bit warmer temperature.

We then went on to the Valli Vineyards and spent some time with Grant Taylor, owner and winemaker. For me, this was one of the highlights of our entire trip. Grant is clearly knowledgeable and gifted – he is one of New Zealand’s most awarded Pinot Noir winemaker’s, earning a string of gold medal and trophy accolades throughout his long career. However, none surpasses winning the trophy for Best Pinot Noir – twice – at the world’s largest wine competition, the London International Wine Challenge. A feat achieved by no other winemaker in the world. Yet he is down-to-earth and engaged, interested in what the people he is speaking with think. At one point, he leaned over and picked up a vine to show us and it really felt like he was showing off his babies to us. He was gentle with the vines and clearly had a huge amount of affection for them, the earth and nature. This isn’t just a business to him; it’s his life. And, I have to say, I learned more about wine and wine making during our casual conversation than I have from the several books I have read or the courses I have taken.

And, of course, we got to taste his fabulous wine. I can say without fail, that it is the best Pinot Noir I have ever tasted. I am kicking myself for not bringing a bottle of it back with me. Sigh.

Cycling Your Way Through the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail

Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 3, 2011 at 10:48 am

I spent some time with the fabulous people at Cycle Turismo at TRENZ. Cycle Turismo offers high quality guided cycling holidays for the discerning cyclist. Each tour allows participants to sample the deliciously indulgent Classic New Zealand Wine Trail and serves up luxury accommodation, fine dining, world-class wines and abundant natural beauty. We were fortunate to do a little bit of the Classic New Zealand Wine Tour when we were in Hawke’s Bay and loved it! (Click here to see the blog post.)

Cycle Turismo’s extraordinary cycling package is enhanced by authentic Kiwi experiences, knowledgeable local guides and best in class service to ensure that participant comfort is not comprised.

Think of sun-drenched days riding meandering roads through the quiet countryside, wide-open spaces, rolling hills, breath taking scenery and rural off-the-beaten-track charm.

Imagine being on this kind of a vacation…your riding companions are friends and locals. They know the route and provide directions, offer insights as to what lies ahead, and ride at your pace. They also provide any and all support you might require, and carry the tools, pumps, refreshments and spare clothing. The ride itself is a joy. Not too long, but challenging enough that you can be proud of your accomplishments.

Cycle Tourismo focuses on small group tours (of 2 to 6 cyclists) that enable the group to have a more personalized and interactive experience; to discover new places, to stay in boutique lodgings surrounded by vineyards, to meet and make friends with the locals; and to experience authentic “kiwi” culture.

With Cycle Turismo, the tours include afternoon “free-time” sessions so you can do the activities and sightseeing that interests you. They also provide recommendations and bookings at your request.

It sounds like the perfect cycle tour to me.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 3, 2011 at 9:04 am

I had a chance to learn more about the Waitangi Treaty Grounds at TRENZ. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds overlook the Bay of Islands and it is New Zealand’s pre-eminent historic site.

It was here on February 6th, 1840, that the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed between Maori and the British Crown. The Treaty Grounds are part of the 404-hectare (1000-acre) Waitangi National Trust estate, which was gifted to the nation by Lord and Lady Bledisloe in 1932. In the deed of gift, Lord Bledisloe stipulated that the estate was never to be a burden on the taxpayer, and in keeping with this, it is not government funded. The estate is administered by the Waitangi National Trust Board, whose members represent various sections of New Zealand people.

Features of the Treaty Grounds include:

• The Treaty House – Built for the first British Resident, James Busby and his family. It is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most visited historic homes.
• Te Whare Runanga – Fully carved Maori Meeting House, which is representative of all Iwi (regional tribes) in New Zealand.
• Ngatokimatawhaorua – One of the world’s largest Maori ceremonial war canoes.
• The Naval Flagstaff – Marks the place where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed.
• Waitangi Visitor Centre – Houses an audio visual show outlining the history of Waitangi and the Bay of Islands. It also showcases live cultural performances.
• Gift Shop.
• Artifacts Gallery.

There are a range of activities here, which include guided tours that are most often led by descendants of the people involved in creating and signing the treaty. There are cultural performances, as well as specialized expert guided tours of the Treaty House and garden and historical curator guided tours of the taonga (treasures) of the estate. I have also heard from several people that the Waikokopu Café has fabulous food and seriously good coffee (along with lovely New Zealand wines).

TRENZ 2011 Images

Posted by Paul Holman on June 3, 2011 at 8:43 am

Wanna see what TRENZ 2011 looked like?

Click here to see a few images from Travel Rendezvous New Zealand 2011.