Archive for the 'Central Otago' Category
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.
Clutha River Cruises
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 24, 2011 at 12:12 pm
There is something about being on the water – taking in breathtaking scenery and at the same time, a bit of NZ history - that makes relaxing river cruises seem so appealing. After hearing more about Clutha River Cruises, it is definitely on my list of things to do while in New Zealand.
Clutha River Cruises is the only operator in the spectacular Roxburgh Gorge of the Clutha River. The tour takes in magnificent Central Otago scenery, while getting up-close to some of New Zealand’s best preserved gold history. Chinese and European stone huts, almost hidden, nestle in the rock outcrops of the gorge.
Accompanied by experienced owner-operator guides, the history of the Dunstan gold fields is brought to life in a way that fires the imagination.
Clutha River Cruises offers scheduled tour departures throughout the spring, summer and autumn seasons, as well as private charters for anything from tour groups to special occasion parties. They provide catering and are fully licensed.
Newcomers to TRENZ, Clutha River Cruises is excited to be showcasing two new products – the first being their new boat, which now enables them to cater for groups of up to 45 people. The new boat the Mata-Au was launched in October 2010 after being refurbished.
Their second product is a completely new venture – the introduction of fully-guided kayak trips (in inflatable kayaks) covering the length of the Clutha River, from the Wanaka outlet to Balclutha. This will make them the first and only operator offering kayak trips on the full length of Clutha River. Now that sounds like something I could get into!
Central Otago is a truly spectacular part of New Zealand. It has stunning scenery and interesting gold history.
