Marlborough • Cellar Doors • Restaurants • Festivals & Events • Cheese & Chocolate • Things to Do • Distilleries • Breweries • and MORE!
TRAVEL GUIDE
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Marlborough • Cellar Doors • Restaurants • Festivals & Events • Cheese & Chocolate • Things To Do • Distilleries • Breweries • AND MORE!
PUBLISHED JANUARY 2020 Marlborough – New Zealand’s premier wine region
PagePage A 2 || Marlborough is recognised as one of the world’s finest premium wine regions. The area has been producing wine for more than 140 years since the time of the early pioneers. However it wasn’t until the 1980s that the region became world- renowned. The acclaim it attracts far outweighs its size. Located at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, the region grows over twenty thousand hectares of grapes and accounts for approximately two-thirds of the country’s wine plantings. Marlborough’s distinctive wines are a product of its unique climate. Bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and towering mountain ranges to the north and south, the vines sit on a broad alluvial plain. They enjoy cool, dry conditions with lots of sunshine and low rainfall, combined with free-draining moderately fertile soil. Maori refer to the Wairau Valley as the ‘The place with the hole in the cloud’. The region is known for crafting wines of extraordinary purity and intensity of flavour, particularly exquisite Sauvignon Blanc. This pristine variety put New Zealand on the international wine stage in the 1980s and Marlborough accounts for 90% of the country’s Sav Blanc plantings. Other top quality varieties include Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir. The appeal of this famous wine region is about more than wine. The Marlborough Sounds is close by, offering stunning scenery and an array of cruises and water sports, not to mention an abundance of fresh seafood. There are also picturesque towns worth exploring. So, we recommend allowing a good two days to explore the region and this mini guide that we’ve put together will help you plan your trip. Enjoy!
Christine Ricketts Jo Gear Cellar Director New Zealand Winemaker
Please note: Prices and information correct at the date of publication based on publicly available information. It is always best to contact the supplier directly to ensure the information presented in this guide remains accurate.
| Page 3 5 Practical Facts
Best time to visit Get on your bike Marlborough has something to offer year With all the magnificent scenery on offer, round. The region enjoys long, hot summers leaving the car behind and hopping on your with plenty of daylight hours giving you bike is a great way to experience the region. the opportunity to partake in water sports. The 6km Golden Mile through Rapaura and Winters bring blue-skied days, calm weather Renwick can be enjoyed at any time of year, and smooth water for sightseeing cruises. which will take you past nine wineries, with During spring and autumn you’ll experience dining, art and cold drink stops along crisp mornings and warm afternoons, so the way. there really isn’t a bad time to visit! Be treated to exquisite wines Delicious seafood Marlborough wines truly are one-of-a-kind. The pristine waters of the Marlborough That’s because nowhere in the world is quite Sound produce delicious seafood. The like Marlborough and the wines produced region’s famed Sauvignon Blanc is widely here reflect the uniqueness of the region. accepted as ‘the’ wine to pair with seafood, There are more than 120 wineries and over so make sure you indulge in some seafood 30 cellar doors to discover that will excite cuisine when you visit. and delight wine lovers.
Marlborough Sounds No trip to Marlborough is complete without a journey to appreciate the winding waterways of the Marlborough Sounds. This natural wonder provides visitors the opportunity to experience brilliant boating, fishing, diving, and wildlife viewing including dolphin watching.
PagePage A 4 || 5 Fast Facts
Discover natural wonders There’s no shortage of natural beauty to be found in Marlborough. Whether you’d like to stroll beside a peaceful bay, visit ancient forests or spot local wildlife, the region boasts a natural beauty that will leave you spellbound.
30 Cellar doors Marlborough as a wine region has a small town feel, with most wineries within a ten-minute drive from each other. But don’t expect to make a quick visit – with so many quality wines on offer, you’ll want to immerse yourself in all this region has to offer. Picturesque small towns Blenheim is considered Marlborough’s main town and it’s the sort of small place you’ll want to explore on foot. It offers an abundance of great cafés, restaurants, shops and galleries, and is bordered by the Taylor and Opawa rivers. Multi-award winning craft beer Marlborough isn’t just known for award-winning wine. It’s also a producer of some of New Zealand’s top craft beer that’s been awarded internationally. There are more than enough breweries to spend an afternoon beer tasting, plus there’s an annual Marlborough Beer Festival held in October each year. Marlborough Farmers’ Market If you think the freshness of the wine is unrivalled, then be sure to savour the local produce on offer. Don’t miss the Farmers’ Market held every Sunday morning at the A&P Showgrounds in Blenheim, and the Marlborough Artisan Market in town on Saturdays.
| Page 5 Auckland
Hawkes Bay Wellington Nelson Marlborough Christchurch
Otago
PagePage A 6 || Getting Here & Around
By car Marlborough is a wonderful place to explore by road due to the stunning scenery. State Highway 1 links Christchurch with Blenheim and it’s just under a four and a half hour drive, although you’ll probably want to spend longer to take in the sights.
By bus InterCity services Marlborough with daily direct buses between Christchurch and Blenheim and also connects with ferry services arriving into Picton from Wellington. wkes Bay By ferry You can travel between Wellington and Picton with Interislander or Bluebridge for one of the most picturesque ferry journeys in the world. You will experience the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds, cruise past remote bays, beaches, islands and native bush.
By plane Within minutes of touching down at Marlborough airport, visitors can be sipping wine at cellar doors. If you choose to Marlborough come by plane, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the intricate waterways of the Marlborough Sounds. The airport is a twenty-minute flight from Wellington International Airport and three airlines service the region with flights from Auckland and Wellington.
By bike Cyclists usually can’t resist the scenery on offer. If you’re keen for a long distance ride, you can ride from Christchurch to Blenheim using alternative safer back routes, taking a few days to complete the ride. Alternatively, Picton is just under six hours ride from Blenheim if you’ve brought your bike across on the ferry.
| Page 7 Marlborough Wine & Food Festival The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival 5 Happenings is Marlborough’s longest-running wine and food festival, running for 35 years. Showcasing the best of the region’s wines and local produce, the event also attracts world famous entertainment. Around 8,000 guests visit the festival Garden Marlborough each year, which is held on the second Dreamt up by gardeners for gardeners, Saturday of February. Garden Marlborough is New Zealand’s premier garden event. Held in November wine-marlborough-festival.co.nz each year, the event celebrates Marlborough’s stunning landscape with a range of garden tours, workshops and social events www.gardenmarlborough.co.nz
Picton Maritime Festival Picton is located at the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds. The Picton Maritime Festival aims to celebrate the region’s maritime heritage in January each year. It’s a community event orientated at families that has been running for fourteen years and attracts approximately 6,000 visitors. With market stalls, raft races, including build your own boat, and other on water activities, displays, and children’s activities, it’s a fun Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon day out for all the family. The Vineyard Half is said to be New pictonmaritimefestival.co.nz Zealand’s most unique, social and picturesque half marathon. It’s not all Marlborough Book Festival hard work though. The course includes Held in winter, the Marlborough Book the odd treat from local producers as well Festival is an annual weekend that hosts as live entertainment as you run though a range of wonderful writers and curious Marlborough’s beautiful autumnal vineyards. audiences set among some of Marlborough’s Plus every finisher receives a bottle of wine! most beautiful locations. vineyardhalf.com www.marlboroughbookfest.co.nz
PagePage A 8 || Greenshell Mussel Cruise New Zealand has an international reputation 5 Local for high quality seafood and this is demonstrated by one of its most iconic Produce products, the New Zealand Greenshell Mussel. A unique way to savour this seafood Favourites speciality is to hop aboard the Greenshell Mussel Cruise, where you’ll be served freshly steamed mussels paired with a glass of Makana Confections Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc while you Makana Confections specialises in gift- enjoy the natural beauty of the Sounds. quality confections that are hand-made and Havelock Marina, Havelock use only the freshest, natural ingredients. +64 3 577 9997 You can visit their boutique chocolate factory www.greenshellmusselcruise.co.nz/ in the heart of Marlborough Wine Country. The factory is set up like a winery/cellar door Kaikoura Cheese where you can watch how the chocolates are Kaikoura Cheese produce award-winning made. handmade cheese using traditional methods. Corner Rapaura & O’Dwyers Roads, Their exceptionally good soft cheese is Blenheim crafted the artisan way using goat’s milk and +64 3 570 5370 lovely creamy Jersey cow milk from nearby www.makana.co.nz farms. You can purchase their products at the Marlborough Farmers’ Markets every Sunday or if you would like to observe their cheese making process you can visit their factory and shop further afield in Kaikoura, just under two hours south of Blenheim. 45 West End, Kaikoura +64 3 319 7598 kaikouracheese.vendecommerce.com
Eden Orchards Cranky Goat Cheese Marlborough also excels at growing cherries Cranky Goat Ltd is a small cheese and Eden Orchards based in Blenheim grow company nestled in the beautiful some of the region’s finest. Gary and his Marlborough Sounds, supplying high wife Steph have been growing cherries for quality handmade goat cheeses using over thirty years and you can sample their traditional methods. They use locally products at The Wine Station in Blenheim or sourced milk from a neighbouring farm to order them online. ensure their milk is of the highest quality. For a list of stockists in the Marlborough The Wine Station, Blenheim Railway region visit their website. Station, Sinclair St, Mayfield, Blenheim www.crankygoatltd.co.nz +64 3 578 2633 edenorchards.co.nz
| Page 9 5 Cellar Doors with Outstanding Reds
CREDIT: FROMM ESTATE
PagePage A 10 | | Fromm Estate About the winery Fromm produce intense, concentrated wines and have built an enviable reputation of producing wines that reflect both European style and Kiwi ingenuity. Established in the early 1990s, they recently celebrated 25 years of their exceptional Marlborough Pinot Noir.
Stand-out wine: Fromm Syrah While their Pinot Noir is renowned, their Syrah is a great example of a cool climate red that possesses power without precluding finesse. It’s crafted solely from the ‘Home Vineyard’ in the Wairau Valley with a large proportion of the wine made up of fruit from their oldest (now 27-year-old) vines. Expert tip If you are peckish, Fromm’s cellar door offers platters, featuring Swiss cheese which are Cellar Door lovely out in the summer sunshine alongside The Cellar Door is open daily but check a wine tasting. the times before you visit as opening hours vary between winter and summer. You can taste their current releases as well as some 15 Godfrey Rd, Fairhall older vintage library releases when available. +64 3 572 9355 Private tastings are available for a fee and frommwinery.co.nz groups of ten or more require a booking.
| Page 11 The country’s most awarded winery
Villa Maria Cellar Door The Marlborough Cellar door is just minutes About the winery from Blenheim airport and is open every Villa Maria holds the title of New Zealand’s day from 10am to 5pm, except in June to most awarded winery and they approach September when it is open weekends only winemaking as an art. They started out from 12 to 5pm. small in the early 1960s but since then have become one of the country’s most respected Expert tip wineries with more than 250 staff and 28 Villa Maria’s beautiful sprawling grounds different grape varieties, exporting to 60 attract couples from far and wide. With countries worldwide. multiple ceremony and reception areas don’t Stand-out wine: Southern Clays be surprised if you spot a happy couple or two among the vines when you visit. Pinot Noir Villa Maria craft some exceptional single vineyard wines and their Pinot is a prime Cnr Paynters & new Renwick Road, Fairhall example. With poise and presence, you won’t +64 3 520 8470 find a more captivating, rich and complex www.villamariawines.com Pinot Noir.
Page 12 | Winery with rich heritage Te Whare Ra Vineyard & Winery About the winery Te Whare Ra is a small vineyard and winery Cellar Door located in the Marlborough sub-region of The Cellar Door is open for wine sales and Renwick, owned by winemakers Anna & tastings from November until the beginning Jason Flowerday. The 11 hectare vineyard of harvest in March. During this time they has predominantly loam over clay soils open weekdays from 11am – 4pm and some and is one of the oldest in Marlborough, weekends when the vineyard and family time originally planted in 1979. Anna and Jason permits. both have winemaking in their blood and have converted the winery to organic and Expert tip biodynamic since purchasing it 16 years ago. Depending on when you visit, you might enjoy meeting Anna and Jason’s children – Stand-out wine: they have two sets of twin girls three 015 Pinot Noir SV 5182 years apart! All the fruit for this single vineyard wine is hand-picked and hand-sorted. It displays the full flavour spectrum of Marlborough 56 Anglesea Street, Renwick Pinot Noir from red fruits to black and from +64 3 572 8581 complex to savoury notes to spice and www.twrwines.co.nz back again.
| Page 13 Saint Clair Family Estate Expert tip When visiting the Saint Clair Vineyard About the winery Kitchen make sure you cross the car park Saint Clair Family Estate was established by to Return to Eden Art Gallery – Supporting Neal and Judy Ibbotson, viticulture pioneers local artists/crafters, natural products, in Marlborough since 1978. Saint Clair is one jewellery, candles, soaps, honey, country of New Zealand’s leading wine companies preserves, furniture, prints and paintings. with an exceptional quality record and makes world-class Sauvignon Blanc - but we think their reds are not to be missed as well. 13 Selmes Road, Rapaura Blenheim +64 3 570 5280 Stand-out wine: www.saintclair.co.nz Saint Clair Reserve Wairau Sauvignon Blanc This wine has gained iconic status and is arguably New Zealand’s most awarded Sauvignon Blanc. A certain ‘must try’ if visiting the cellar door.
Cellar Door You can taste Saint Clair wines at their wine tasting counter in the Vineyard Kitchen, a restaurant with an extensive menu showcasing seasonal produce. A large selection of their wines is available for tasting daily between 9am to 5pm. Winter hours: 11am – 4pm
PagePage A 14 | | Near a spy base!
Cellar Door You can experience Spy Valley’s range of wines at their Cellar Door in the Waihopai Valley in an award winning architectural setting. Wine flights start from $5, and Spy Valley Wines the cost is redeemable upon purchase. In addition to the tastings, visitors can now About the winery enjoy local platters and wine by the glass. Spy Valley is a family-owned winery based in They are open 7 days during summer and the Waihopai Valley that has grown into one weekdays during winter from 10.30am to of New Zealand’s most successful family-run 4.30pm. wineries, exporting 8 varietals to 35 different countries. They enjoy the air of mystery Expert tip surrounding them, helped by the proximity While you’re visiting the Cellar Door you of the spy base down the road. can check out the nosey neighbours, The Waihopai International Satellite Stand-out wine: Pinot Noir Communications Monitoring Station, or as Spy Valley aren’t giving away all their secrets, Spy Valley like to call it, ‘the spy base down but they do admit to cropping their Pinot the road’. Noir vines low. By thinning out the bunches of grapes so only a select few remain on 37 Lake Timara Road West, RD 6, the vine they aim to capture the unique Blenheim characteristics of the land. You won’t be +64 3 572 6088 disappointed if you try either the Envoy www.spyvalleywine.co.nz Outpost or Envoy Johnson Pinot Noir.
| Page 15 5 Best Cellar Doors For White Wines
CREDIT: CLOUDY BAY
PagePage A 16 | | Iconic winery
Cloudy Bay About the winery If you’re looking to visit an iconic Marlborough winery, then look no further than Cloudy Bay. Established in 1985, Cloudy Bay was one of the first five winemakers to venture into Marlborough. Named after Cloudy Bay, a body of water explorer Captain Cook came across during his voyage to New Zealand in 1770, their wines capture the essence of this world-famous region.
Stand-out wine: Sauvignon Blanc Expert tip Sauvignon Blanc is the iconic wine behind If you’re visiting during summer, stop by Cloudy Bay’s fame and they have built a from 11.30am to 3.30pm and discover Jack’s reputation for refined, elegant examples that Raw Bar, a relaxed outdoor wine lounge with exhibit outstanding quality. games of pétanque and croquet. Cellar Door The spacious and inviting Cellar Door is 230 Jacksons Road, Blenheim open from 10am to 4pm 7 days a week, and +64 3 520 9140 you can also enjoy a glass of wine in the vast cloudybay.co.nz courtyard while you’re there.
| Page 17 Hunter’s Wines Cellar Door The Cellar Door is located in the original About the winery farmhouse and you can enjoy tastings inside Hunter’s is a fiercely independent or outside in the picturesque gardens 7 days family-owned winery in Blenheim that a week from 9.30am to 4.30pm. produce world famous Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. From their very first Expert tip vintage in 1982 they won six medals at the Don’t miss Hunter’s MiruMiru Sparkling National Wine Show and since then they’ve range – the 2013 Reserve recently picked up accumulated more than 200 Gold medals. a Double Trophy at the 2018 Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. Stand-out wine: Gewürztraminer Hunter’s excel at crafting Gewürztraminer that’s wonderfully aromatic with an appealing richness and balance. Made 603 Rapaura Rd, Rapaura from fruit sourced from the Rapaura Road +64 3 572 8489 vineyard, the free draining soils give this hunters.co.nz varietal a unique freshness.
PagePage A 18 | | Brancott Estate Wines Expert tip For a truly memorable visit to Brancott About the winery Estate, take part in the Living Land Falcon Brancott Estate is responsible for the Encounter where you’ll see the rare and creation of the first ever Marlborough endangered New Zealand Falcon up close, Sauvignon Blanc in the late 1970s. Their plus a tutored tasting of the organic Brancott range of Sauvignon Blanc wines now Estate Living Land Series wines. includes sparkling, organic, oak-influenced, naturally low-alcohol, age-worthy and late- harvest wines. 180 Brancott Road, Fairhall Stand-out wine: Sauvignon Blanc +64 3 520 6975 A visit to Marlborough wouldn’t be complete www.brancottestate.com/en-au without tasting the wine where it all began. Their Sauvignon Blanc is literally dripping with medals and is a well-balanced example with the palate weight, sweet fruit flavours and crisp acidity this style is famed for. Cellar Door The Cellar Door is open from 10am to 4.30pm daily and there is a range of experiences available for individuals, couples and groups alike.
Page A | | Page 19 Framingham Wines Expert tip Framingham is one of Marlborough’s About the winery most happening wineries. They host the Framingham grow and make a diverse range Framingham Harvest Concert in their of high-quality single blend, world-class unique creative space, plus pop-up gigs wines. They have some of the oldest Riesling and art exhibitions in the area known as vines in Marlborough, dating back to 1981, the Framingham Underground, which was and have one of the best ranges of Riesling originally a wine cellar and wine library. styles in the country. Accredited as an environmentally sustainable vineyard, they use organic viticulture practices at 19 Conders Bend Rd, Renwick their estate. +64 3 572 8884 framingham.co.nz Stand-out wine: F-Series Old Vine Riesling The strictly limited-edition F-Series range is about having freedom to create alternative takes on classic varietals. The F-Series Old Vine Riesling is a deliciously balanced old-world style that has more texture and complexity than the pure styles of Riesling. Cellar Door The cellar door offers a complimentary tasting for 3 wines, $5 for a fill tasting (redeemable on purchase). Framingham’s Cellar Door is located just outside of Renwick on Marlborough’s famous Golden Mile. They are open 7 days a week from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
PagePage A 20 | | Astrolabe Wines Cellar Door Astrolabe doesn’t have a cellar door, but About the winery you can try their range of wines at The Wine Named after the ship that charted and Station along with 80 other premium wines. explored the Marlborough Coast in 1827, Astrolabe is a personal project for winemaker Expert tip Simon Waghorn and his wife, Jane. Astrolabe As well as the range of Sauvignon Blanc on produces a range of wines that express the offer, Astrolabe offer an extensive choice purity and intensity of fruit flavours naturally of other classic varieties including Riesling, afforded by the climate and soils of the Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rosé, as Marlborough region. All grapes are sourced well as alternative styles like Chenin Blanc from unique Marlborough sites. They have and Albariño. established a benchmark style of Sauvignon Blanc that reflects an unparalleled diversity of vineyard sources. The Wine Station Blenheim Railway Station Stand-out wine: Sauvignon Blanc Sinclair Street, Mayfield, Blenheim The Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon +64 3 578 2633 Blanc is made from grapes grown across www.astrolabewines.co.nz three Marlborough sub-regions — the Wairau Valley, the Awatere Valley and the Kekerengu Coast. The style is dry, expressive and elegantly balanced, and you can taste the care taken with the grapes in the purity and intensity of the flavours.
| Page 21 Cellar Door The cellar door is open from 10am to 4.30pm, 7 days in summer and 6 days 3 Quirky in winter. Expert tip Cellar Doors Deep beneath the Cellar Door is Jackson Estate’s ‘Cave’, where they hold exclusive tasting events of their prized vintage collections. Jackson Estate About the winery 77 Jacksons Road, Blenheim Since they first started 25 years ago, +64 3 572 9500 Jackson Estate remain 100% New Zealand www.jacksonestate.co.nz owned, handcrafting beautiful wines with elegance, finesse and longevity from their mature vines. They work in harmony with the land, focusing on low cropping levels, small batch fermentation, single vineyard fruits and minimal winemaking intervention. Jackson Estate consider themselves modern pioneers and this is reflected in their unusual cellar door modelled on the original 1850s homestead. It was designed by Brian Massey, Art Director of The Hobbit trilogy, and the rustic façade hides a cosy, modern tasting room.
PagePage A 22 | | No.1 Family Estate About the winery No.1 Family Estate is a specialist and boutique Méthode Traditionelle winery founded by Adele and Daniel Le Brun. It is the only winery in New Zealand committed Expert tip exclusively to producing premium Méthode No.1 Family Estate is also an excellent place Traditionelle wine. The award-winning to do a spot of shopping, with a carefully winemaker has created wines that rival the selected collection of jewellery and gifts best in the world using methods perfected on offer. over twelve generations by his family in Champagne. 169 Raparua Road, Blenheim Cellar Door The elegant Cellar Door is open for tastings +64 3 572 9876 10am to 4.30pm over summer. The winter https://www.no1familyestate.co.nz hours vary so please check the website.
| Page 23 Nautilus Estate Expert tip The stunning Nautilus shell sculpture About the winery outside the Cellar Door was commissioned Nautilus Estate is one of the early pioneers to mark the completion of the new winery in of the Marlborough. Since the mid-eighties, 2006 and has become a local landmark. It the small, family-owned winery has been was designed and made by Whanganui artist crafting delicious, food-friendly wines Dale Hudson and epitomises the meld of from the clean, cool and diverse valleys of traditional craftsmanship and state-of-the- Marlborough. The striking Nautilus shell is art techniques that are inherent to Nautilus. their inspiration with its shape expressing natural beauty and mathematical perfection that they try to capture in their expressive, 12 Rapaura Road, Renwick textural, precisely crafted wines. +64 3 572 6008 Cellar Door www.nautilusestate.com Nautilus Cellar Door has been rated in the top 10 cellar doors in Marlborough for several years and received a ‘gold award’ for excellent customer service. The friendly staff welcomes visitors daily from 10am to 4.30pm, 7 days a week.
PagePage A 24 | | 5 Places to Visit
| Page 25 CREDIT: GRAEME MURRAY
Blenheim Situated in the heart of wine-growing Marlborough, Blenheim is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. The area enjoys an estimated 2,438 hours of sunshine per year with hot sunny days in summer thanks to the picturesque mountains framing the district that trap the heat. Blenheim offers an array of cafés, restaurants, wineries, bars, shops, artisan food outlets and golf courses. It’s a great place to enjoy on foot with popular walkways along the Taylor River Reserve and award-winning gardens and parks. www.newzealand.com/au/blenheim
Picton If you’re keen to visit Marlborough Sounds, Picton is right in the heart of it. It’s a pretty port town built around a sheltered harbour that is home to great cafés, restaurants, galleries and shops, with no shortage of activities. There’s a floating maritime museum and an aquarium, plus no end of water- based activities including cruising, fishing, dolphin watching, sea kayaking. Biking is another popular pastime here. www.newzealand.com/au/picton
PagePage A 26 | | Havelock Seafood lovers flock to Havelock, a historic coastal township also known as the ‘Greenshell Mussel capital of the world.’ A stroll around town hints at Havelock’s gold mining past with quaint colonial buildings now housing boutique art galleries and eateries. Down at the marina you’ll find taxis and charter boats ready to take you fishing or on a sightseeing journey of the Sounds. For those not worried about getting wet, you can take a sea kayak tour. www.newzealand.com/au/havelock
Renwick If it’s wine you seek, then look no further than Renwick. Over thirty cellar doors are scattered in and around the town, and it’s small enough that you can hire a bike and pedal from cellar door to cellar door. Be sure to stop long enough to sample the local cuisine at one of the exceptional vineyard restaurants. At the end of the day, there’s also a delightful selection of B&Bs, cottages and other accommodation. www.newzealand.com/au/renwick/
D’Urville Island For those who truly want to get away from it all, a trip to D’Urville Island on the edge of the Marlborough Sounds offers a quiet sanctuary. It’s New Zealand’s fifth largest land mass and abounds with large areas of attractive native forest, ideal for hiking. Climbing the peaks will reward you with sweeping views of the ocean and Sounds, while the forest is alive with tui, bellbirds, native robins, weka and kaka (the island is possum-free). www.newzealand.com/au/rangitoto-ki-te- tonga-durville-island
| Page 27 Saveur Café, Bistro and Patisserie Saveur sits on the banks of the Taylor River in Blenheim and their on-site patisserie is stocked daily by their in-house pastry chef 5 Places with a range of sweets, cakes, muffins and French pastries. The terrace overlooking for Breakfast the Taylor River is a superb spot to start your day and during the cooler months the fireplace will keep you cosy. 6 Symons St, Blenheim Ritual Café +64 3 577 8822 Ritual is a funky retro café that is a great breakfast and brunch spot. They serve 100% Fair Trade and organic coffee roasted on Watery Mouth Café the premises. The delicious breakfast menu Not surprisingly, Watery Mouth Café features everything from local free-range serves a range of mouth-watering food eggs and bacon to breakfast burritos and in their light and spacious café opposite guacamole. They also cater for vegetarian, the picturesque Seymour Square. vegan, dairy free, gluten free with their Modern New Zealand cuisine is on the extensive menu. menu alongside great coffee. Their homemade Watery Mouth muesli is a 10 Maxwell Rd, Blenheim speciality, as is their bacon, kumara and +64 3 578 6939 avocado stacks. BV Gourmet 71 High St, Blenheim This urban grocery, café, kitchenware shop +64 3 578 3828 and deli attracts locals and visitors alike at breakfast time. You can browse its range of artisan foods and providore-style products while sipping on your coffee and enjoying a tasty muffin. 2A Park Terrace, Blenheim +64 3 929 3567
Fairweathers As a local bar, Fairweathers may not be the first place you think of going for breakfast, but their tasty breakfast menu is popular around town. Available from 8 to 11am, they also bake scrumptious muffins and scones fresh each morning, which are perfect to compliment a coffee. 36 Scott St, Blenheim +64 3 579 4800
PagePage A 28 | | Rock Ferry As well as serving great wines in their 5 Places tasting room overlooking their lush gardens, Rock Ferry offers fine dining at their café featuring seasonally inspired to Eat cooking that showcases the fabulous produce from the South Island. Open daily from 11.30am to 3pm it’s a perfect The Burleigh spot to enjoy lunch in between wine For more relaxed fare, but no less delicious, tastings. stop by The Burleigh for a delicious range 130 Hammerichs Rd, Rapaura of pies – some people say the pies are the +64 3 579 6430 best to come out of New Zealand. $6 will get you a Beef & Blue Cheese, Pork Belly or Jerk Chicken pie, all encased in crisp, light puff pastry. 72 New Renwick Rd, Blenheim +64 3 579 2531
Wairau River Wines Restaurant Scotch Wine Bar & Wine Shop Wairau River is another winery that offers Scotch is an independent owner-operated a dining experience alongside their Cellar restaurant and wine bar that offers a weekly Door. They specialise in simply prepared dinner menu filled with fresh, seasonal dishes, fresh local produce and the menu produce. The food is served in a format that changes with the seasons. They open centres around sharing, from small entrée daily for lunch from midday to 3pm. sized plates to main sized dishes designed 130 Hammerichs Rd, Rapaura to be paired with your choice from their +64 3 579 6430 impressive collection of over 500 wines. 24-26 Maxwell Rd, Blenheim +64 3 579 1176 Herzog For the ultimate Marlborough dining experience, the iconic and beautiful Herzog restaurant in Hans Herzog Estate offers a legendary degustation menu featuring Hans’ outstanding wines. A team of Michelin star trained chefs create mouth-watering contemporary cuisine while the front of house team will make you feel pampered. The restaurant attracts foodies and wine lovers from all over the world, and it’s pure indulgence. 81 Jeffries Rd, Marlborough +64 3 572 8770
| Page 29 5 Other Drink Destinations
Moa Brewing Company The Moa Brewing Co. have been producing craft beer since 2003. Head Brewer David Nicholls has over 30 years brewing experience in some of the world’s largest breweries while Director Josh Scott is New Zealand’s only qualified Cicerone. Their range of beers is extensive and features classic styles together with more quirky offerings like their Sour Series. 258 Jacksons Rd, Blenheim +64 3 572 5149
PagePage A 30 | | Renaissance Award-winning craft beer producer Renaissance aims to make beers that rival the quality of the wines in the region. They offer a range of top end, ultra premium ales to thrill the senses. You can experience their beers at a number of places in and around Marlborough including the Cork & Keg Old English Pub, Dodson Street Ale House, Gramados Brazilian Bar & Restaurant, Vines Village Café and a selection of cellar door restaurants. 1 Dodson St, Blenheim +64 3 579 3400
Craft Beer Depot A little further afield, not technically in Marlborough but only an hour and a half away from Blenheim, is the Craft Beer Depot in Nelson. They bring their customers a curated range of beers on tap and from their store room. Their selection includes some of the best local and international craft beers available. 70 Achilles Ave, Nelson +64 3 548 2126
Eden Orchards Cherry Juice Eden Orchards have been successfully growing and selling delicious cherries for Dodson Street 30 years now. In 2017 they decided to get Beer Garden creative, branch out and try something new. Dodson Street Beer Garden is a rustic And so Eden Orchards 100% Pure Cherry beer hall with an old-time feel offering Juice was born. With a unique, delectable a great range of brews on tap, plus flavour, you can find Eden Orchards Cherry German food and pizza. Locals and Juice at The Wine Station in Blenheim. visitors alike love the authentic German The Wine Station options and the European atmosphere. Blenheim Railway Station, Sinclair St, 1 Dodson St, Blenheim Mayfield, Blenheim +64 3 577 8348 +64 3 578 2633
| Page 31 5 Non-Wine Related Things To Do
CREDIT: JUST BROWSING ANTIQUES
PagePage A 32 | | Marlborough Sounds Marlborough Sounds is 150km of stunning New Zealand coastline. A visit to the region is not complete until you’ve seen this natural wonder. Choose from one of many cruises to view the long sheltered inlets, clear waters and sandy bays or kayak around the headlands for a different perspective. There’s also some great single or multi-day hikes for those who love immersing themselves in the great outdoors. www.newzealand.com/au/marlborough-sounds/
Seafood Cruise Marlborough isn’t just a wine lovers paradise, seafood lovers get to indulge here too. Hop aboard a Seafood Odyssea Cruise and enjoy the natural beauty of the Queen Charlotte Sound while sampling fresh seafood such as Regal Salmon, Tio Point Oysters and Greenshell Mussels, accompanied by Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit a Marlborough Salmon Farm. www.marlboroughtourcompany.co.nz/tours-cruises/seafood-odyssea-cruise
| Page 33 Just Browsing Antiques Omaka Aviation For those who enjoy an afternoon of window shopping, add Just Browsing to your list. A Heritage Centre Take to the skies at the Omaka Aviation quintessential second-hand shop, they offer Heritage Centre. It features one of the a little bit of everything: glass, ceramics, world’s largest private collections of Great pottery, stoneware, china, antique tools, War aircraft and artefacts across two boxes, kiwiana, pacifica, retro, antique exhibitions. Guided tours are available or you furniture, kitchenware, antique paper, can self-guide at your leisure. lighting, bottles, tins, estate jewellery and a good selection of New Zealand books. www.newzealand.com/au/plan/business/ omaka-aviation-heritage-centre +64 3 577 5402 www.myantiqueshops.co.nz/ just_browsing_antiques.html
CREDIT: RICHARD BRIGGS
Cycle the Queen Charlotte Track The Queen Charlotte track stretches 70km from Ship Cove to Anakiwa and is utterly unique. The whole track can be completed in 5 days on foot or 3 days on a mountain bike with luggage transfers available by water- taxi. You will be rewarded with stunning views of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds, plus encounters with native birds such as the fantail and weka. www.qctrack.co.nz
PagePage A 34 | | 5 Practical Websites marlboroughnz.com Marlborough NZ is the official travel guide for visiting this world-renowned region. With plenty of information to help you explore the area as well as a section dedicated to ‘things to do’, you’ll have no trouble planning your trip. You can even search and book accommodation, activities and more. newzealand.com/au For excellent general information about visiting New Zealand, 100% Pure New Zealand is a great place to start. The site is easy to use and has everything you need to know about the various destinations, accommodation and getting there. nzwine.com/en/our-regions/marlborough New Zealand Wine provides a helpful summary on New Zealand’s various wine regions and wine styles. You can decide which wines you’d like to sample before you get there and become more knowledgeable in the process. winesofnz.com Wines of NZ has a good summary of the wineries in the Marlborough region to help you plan your trip. They also provide information on wine styles, as well listings of wine tours and events that occur in the region. cellarmasters.com.au Keen to enjoy some Marlborough wine in Australia? Cellarmasters offers a great range of pure and intense examples from this world-famous region delivered straight to your door.
| Page 35 Discover The best wines from the Marlborough region www.cellarmasters.com.au/ marlborough
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