New Zealand Trip

[BillMac]

My wife and myself were planning a trip to Italy & France for 6 weeks around September '09 but with the $AU v Euro we have decided to a shorter 3 week trip around the south island of NZ in March might the way until thing pick up.
Obviously wines and cellar doors will be part of our itinerary. Can any one recommend any wineries to visit. I love Pinot & Rieslings and my wife likes SB.
Also, what sought of shipping costs per carton to return it Sydney and are there customs issues to deal with on our return to OZ?

[Wizz]

My wife and myself were planning a trip to Italy & France for 6 weeks around September '09 but with the $AU v Euro we have decided to a shorter 3 week trip around the south island of NZ in March might the way until thing pick up.
Obviously wines and cellar doors will be part of our itinerary. Can any one recommend any wineries to visit. I love Pinot & Rieslings and my wife likes SB.
Also, what sought of shipping costs per carton to return it Sydney and are there customs issues to deal with on our return to OZ?

Bill, Pinot, Riesling and SB pretty much describe NZ for me.

Shipping back to Aus will be about $NZ120 per case - but freight forwarders will deal with WET and GST for you, so this charge is still not that formidable. We visited two regions while we were there last year.

Central Otago:
One thing I can say is plan ahead - we found in Central Otago that some key wineries weren't open when we were there - Felton Road, Olssens. Carrick was worth the visit as was Bald Hills. Mt Difficulty has a restaurant with a great vew but not all of the wines were available. Disappointing. Chard Farm is worth it just for the driveway.

Waipara:
Again check opening hours. Pegasus Bay was good, Daniel Schuster was worth seeking out. Muddy Water was closed dammit - love their riesling. If you can get into Pyramid Valley it will be worth it (we didnt - but love their wines).

[Maximus]

BillMac,

Wizz has wrapped things up well - sage advice.

I would add that if you're going up north Nelson/Marlborough way, to check out Neudorf, Greenhough and Rimu Grove in Nelson and the likes of Fromm, Herzog, Dog Point and Terravin in Marlborough.

When passing through Christchurch, a visit to the Canterbury Cheesemonger on Salisbury St in the city is an absolute MUST. PM me if you're after further specifics on wineries, food, photography or whatever.

Cheers,

[Craig(NZ)]

Neudorf (nelson), Pegasus Bay (waipara) and Fromm la Strada (malborough) are must see

[BillMac]

Thanks for the advice fella's.
I'll take a note of all the vineyards recommended and see where the wind blows us.
Bill

[crusty2]

Easter 2008 my wife and i spent 3 weeks in the south island. Superb trip for our 20th anniversary. Loved the roadside fish n' chips stall near the Novotel at Queenstown.
As a happy coincidence we let some friend know about the Salvo's Op Shop in Queenstown, as it was highlighted on a local Current Affairs program, and when they landed without their luggage they went there and purchased, amongst other things, a boating jacket, which retails in Australia for $450, for NZ$80. They were happy.
Down to reality.
As a spoilt South Aust resident it was a shock to see payment required prior to tasting at some of the wineries. While i do not have a problem with this normally I question the "value" of paying a fee to taste the "wines on offer on the day".
As an example winery X makes 15+ different wines, the top reserve being $120+, and asks $15 to taste 4 wines which were already in glass and we had no idea how long they had been "breathing". These wines were of the lower to middle level of marketing range.
In general (always a mistake), where you see a restaurant there will be a charge for wines with questionable QPR.
Central Otago - Loved Kawarau Estate - liked to talk and I liked his wines
Bannock Brae - down to earth and well priced
Chard Farm - great drive in, nice people, nice wines
Olssens - releasing some old vintages but unable to taste before purchase
Mt. Difficulty - nice venue, nice staff, breaks the rule for Restaurant and wines.
If purchasing ex winery give Queenstown a miss and purchase at Arrow Junction, the small liquor store by the creek. Great range, local and imported, at reasonable markup.

No wine thing to do - Heli up to Fox Glacier and spend 2 hours walking on the ice. Magic

enjoy your trip.

[Craig(NZ)]

As an example winery X makes 15+ different wines, the top reserve being $120+, and asks $15 to taste 4 wines which were already in glass and we had no idea how long they had been "breathing". These wines were of the lower to middle level of marketing range.

Gibbston Valley.

You are allowed to name them!

[roughred]

As an example winery X makes 15+ different wines, the top reserve being $120+, and asks $15 to taste 4 wines which were already in glass and we had no idea how long they had been "breathing". These wines were of the lower to middle level of marketing range.

Gibbston Valley.

You are allowed to name them!

Yep, left here with not too many good things to say.

Second the vote for Felton Road, and in September you may actually be a chance to sample some Pinots. All gone when we were there in Feb, but the excellent dry and RS style Riesling where worth the trip. Definately get out to Arrowtown...can be a nice escape if you begin to get a bit over Queenstown

Siefried Estate in Nelson have some interesting bits and pieces. Riesling and Gewurz were good.

Also second Fromm in Marlborough, and Peg Bay is a must see in Waipara.

Have fun.

[Craig(NZ)]

Yep, left here with not too many good things to say.

best thing is jump in there, buy a bottle of the le fou riesling and head off. its the cats whiskers

[BillMac]

Thanks fellas, as I said before the wineries are only part of the trip and $15NZ is only $12.40AU so hopefully we will assist the NZ GDP.
Bill