This time we were a little later waking up and as usual the LLW demanded her cup of tea before there was any question of adopting a vertical position. Another lovely morning with intense sun from sunrise. We had a leisurely hour or so at the camp site and then set off on the bikes to explore the vineyards. Whilst it was leisurely, it was a little tense as Ray was following the progress of Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest via the BBC web site. Newcastle finally ran out 3-1 winners (sorry Rob) so the tension dissipated.
The roads around and in Martinborough are based upon a grid system which makes navigation very easy. We headed north on Dublin street then turned east on Kitchenor to the central square.
North again out of the town took us to our first planned port of call Ata Rangi vineyard which has the reputation of being one of NZ's finest wineries. Disaster - not open until 12:00!
Undeterred (and since there are about 25 vineyards within a couple of miles, we cycled off to Vynfields which has a beautiful setting and a lovely cafe/restaurant area. However, your dynamic duo agreed that the Pinot Noir on offer was not up to the Jackson standard and we departed without buying anything.
Ata Ranga (apparently this means new dawn or new start and refers to when the winemaker sold his house to finance starting the business, which is now clearly very successful) was now open so we returned and decided to taste a number of their wines - Rose, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. All were very good but the Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir stood out and we purchased a bottle of each.
The previous evening the LLW had enjoyed a glass of Palliser Sauvignon Blanc and since apparently their restaurant has a good reputation and good views, we rode off to Palliser Vineyard for lunch. And a very good choice it was too - a meat platter plus extra Gougeres washed down with Sauvignon Blanc for the LLW and Pinot Noir for Ray.
Back to the camp site for a short while and then another ride around town, this time to visit shops! Luckily the relevant shops were closed and in any case the LLW had decided that she did not have any more room in her case - phew!
Dinner was a very good steak, salad and sweet potato hash browns. Lovely to sit outside and enjoy the early evening sun. However as I write we have retreated inside the camper van; the temperature is dropping, clouds gathering and rain forecast shortly.
Martinborough has been great; its very small but a classy and obviously wealthy area now. An added bonus has been that is it delightful to cycle around and indeed cycling tours of the vineyards seems to be a major industry.
Tomorrow morning we will leave early, about 07:30 to catch the ferry from Wellington to Picton on the South Island. We are booked to stay for our first night on the South Island at Blenheim which is at the heart of the Marlborough wine area.
North again out of the town took us to our first planned port of call Ata Rangi vineyard which has the reputation of being one of NZ's finest wineries. Disaster - not open until 12:00!
Undeterred (and since there are about 25 vineyards within a couple of miles, we cycled off to Vynfields which has a beautiful setting and a lovely cafe/restaurant area. However, your dynamic duo agreed that the Pinot Noir on offer was not up to the Jackson standard and we departed without buying anything.
Ata Ranga (apparently this means new dawn or new start and refers to when the winemaker sold his house to finance starting the business, which is now clearly very successful) was now open so we returned and decided to taste a number of their wines - Rose, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. All were very good but the Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir stood out and we purchased a bottle of each.
The previous evening the LLW had enjoyed a glass of Palliser Sauvignon Blanc and since apparently their restaurant has a good reputation and good views, we rode off to Palliser Vineyard for lunch. And a very good choice it was too - a meat platter plus extra Gougeres washed down with Sauvignon Blanc for the LLW and Pinot Noir for Ray.
Dinner was a very good steak, salad and sweet potato hash browns. Lovely to sit outside and enjoy the early evening sun. However as I write we have retreated inside the camper van; the temperature is dropping, clouds gathering and rain forecast shortly.
Martinborough has been great; its very small but a classy and obviously wealthy area now. An added bonus has been that is it delightful to cycle around and indeed cycling tours of the vineyards seems to be a major industry.
Tomorrow morning we will leave early, about 07:30 to catch the ferry from Wellington to Picton on the South Island. We are booked to stay for our first night on the South Island at Blenheim which is at the heart of the Marlborough wine area.
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