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Published: September 27th 2009
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We perhaps had consumed too much wine the previous night opening the ceremonial opening of the eye lids. It turned out that Claire missing the bottom stair last night was a product of 2 ½ bottles of red wine and champagne. My immediate thoughts were of self preservation and the likely ensuing tirade of Claire for that day hung over. However - she despite still feeling flu like was a star. In true fashion, we cut the ferry fine leaving the house at 9.45 for a 10am ferry. This resulted in a minor 100m jog down the hill as we seen the ferry approaching from afar. This did not go down well with Claire, however we made it and off we were going for a proper tourist day trip. Our destination - chosen during the 20 minute wait at the ferry terminal yesterday as a result of GB getting the ferry time wrong - was Waiheki island.
Waiheki was described as many things; “a boheminan retreat” - tour guide, “a feast of wine and food” - tourist office, “a place where all the gays lived when I arrived” - Big Don. Either way, we were looking forward to our Taste
of Waiheki winetour (with light lunch). The ferry - more impressive than the Birkenhead one appeared - we head out at 11am. A sail ensued lasting 40 minutes stopping at Devonport. The weather success we’d largely been having on the holiday continued by virtue that we sailed out of the Auckland rain into the microclimate of Waiheki where it was beautiful all day long - a great result.
We started with the Stoneybridge vineyard where perhaps the closest encounter I’ve ever had with a celebrity occurred. Upon bumping up the drive way to this beautiful albeit small vineyard - I couldn’t help but notice 2 choppers on my left hand side. And no, there weren’t in the seats next to us. On the lawn sat 1 yellow and 1 blue helicopter. As we moved closer, there appeared a mini-hummer and several ridiculous security guards. Ridiculous by virtue that there was a) nobody around and b) they had identical men in black shades, woollen jumpers and jackets, ear pieces and prop forward shoulders. They forgot to tattoo “don’t screw with me” on their foreheads however.
The chattering on the bus soon speculated that since Pamela Anderson was in Auckland
last night doing the highlight of the fashion tour it could be her. And, to cut to the chase, yes it was. Only we did not see her. Instead, in true FBI style manner we were hearded down to the vines for some rubbish chat about grapes where in fact, we / the blokes were simply desperate to see if Pam’s plums were as big as they look on telly. Unfortunately, the over engineered security was designed for idiots / blokes such as us to maintain a safe distance. In fact, we did not even catch sight. We were treated to a 2 tastes of wine here - a chilled Chardonnay (white!) and a Cabernet Sauvignon (red!). A beautiful lunch followed. Here we sat in the vineyard terrace (with an awful taurpoline between Pam and ourselves) to have a really tasty quiche, green salad and bread. Another helping of wine - this time Pinot Noir helped complete this fab lunch. As we boarded the bus, we were held at the top of the drive whilst those 2 helicopters moved away back to celeb world. We on the other hand, were heading to an Olive Grove - Rock And Roll!
Vineyard 2
Wild on Waiheki The olive grove was ok, we tasted 4 oils plus another 2 home made things - 1 like pesto, the other a red wine vinegar syrup used in cooking. Here the sun was beginning to beat down and outside we caught some photographs of a frog in the pond of all things… From here, the bus took us via the best beach on Waiheki to the second vineyard. This was call ‘Wild on Waiheki’. To be honest, this was poor. However this time we got 3 wines, so it was improving. We had on arrival a Rose, followed by a Sauvignon Blanc, followed by a Cabernet Sauvignon. I did not like any albeit the Rose was like fruit juice and Claire liked that. There was also a microbrewery here, I had a few of them, Claire a ginger beer after another few wines - we’d bought a taste of a further 8 here! By now, we’re starting to get giddy. The polite acknowledgements of earlier on the bus is turning to banter with the other 2 American young couples, and 4 New Zealanders.
The final vineyard was the best by a country mile - Mudbrick. Very European in looks,
the building and setting were magic. The rose wine on the roof terrace - as we were told the story of the two 28 year old accountants that got bored at work and through their passion for wine had bought this place to bring wine and food to the island had made a roaring success - was fabulous. As were the views as we slowly ascended the hill for an almost 360 panoramic view around. In the distance, the skyline of Auckland. In the foreground, the second wine taste taking our total to about 12 now - what a day already! The last had 4 grapes - as such the label said - this is going to be a strong strong red. However, it turned out to be mellow and my favourite of the day. The final wine was taken in the cellar where we had a 2007 syrah reserve however that was less pleasing to me but Claire’s favourite. Here we exchange conversation with one of the chaps from New Zealand who not surpisingly had close relations in Scotland!
After this, we were tired and a little drunk to be honest - so we headed home - again
sailing into Auckland to a rain storm. Only a 2 minute turnaround until we boarded the Birkenhead ferry, we arrived home about 5pm after taking the wee bus at the end of the pier up the hill rather than walking in the wet.
We headed out for dinner to the local Thai restaurant to have a great meal. We shared some mixed Thai starters, and a combination of about 4 main meals including; pad thai, duck and prawn red curries and a beef and oyster dish with copious dollops of steamed rice. Fading fast, we turned in about 10 after a busy, but brilliant day.
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