Queenstown Day #7

12/11/07

Today we went on a wine tasting tour. It was awesome. We were actually the only people on the tour, so we got really personalized service. Our wine tour guide was from England and moved here around 4 years ago. We were supposed to go to only 4 wineries, but she ended up taking us to an additional winery. The region around Queenstown grows mainly Pinot Noir grapes because it really likes the extreme cold conditions. It's also really known for growing the Pinot Gris grapes too.

The first winery we went to was called Peregrine, after a type of falcon, and we got 3 bottles from there! Our first stop! We got a 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and a 2006 Rose. Typically Paul and I don't really like those types because the ones we have tried are usually not flavorful enough and are too acidic, but these were excellent.

At the next winery, Carrick, we got a 2006 Chardonnay that was really good. The next winery wasn't very good though. We really wanted to get a good Pinot Noir, but theirs were very dry and not very flavorful. But the next winery, which was not on the original schedule, had an awesome 2006 Pinot Noir. The winery was called Rockburn, and the girl working at the counter was actually from Michigan! We didn't get any wine at the last winery, but we had plenty with 6 bottles! All of which we have to drink before we fly to Paihia because we are already at our baggage weight limit :) But I don't think we'll have any trouble drinking it. They actually have some BYO (Bring Your Own alcohol) restaurants here, so we are going to take wine when we eat out.

I hope Paihia and Tauranga have good wine too! YUM!

Check out our winery pictures.


And here is a picture of the paragliders outside our hotel, our hotel at night, and Queenstown at dusk: