While we’re not into doing commercial promos on here like Destination Waikanae, we thought we’d mention our little soirée at Waimea on Waikanae Beach last night.  About 50 folks came along for a 4-hour, 5-course dinner, accompanied by wines from Clearview Estate in Te Awanga near Hastings: rosé, whites and reds.  We thought their Gewurztraminer was a nice little drop.

Tim Turvey, who bought the estate as bare land in the 1980s, gave people a history and a bit of detail.  The wine barrels are made from 200-year-old oak trees grown in France, and only about a third of the tree can be used, unlike American oak with which about two-thirds can be used.  This demonstrates why wine-making involves more than a little cost.  He is a bit of a character, and is now into his fourth marriage: “I’ve got a good knowledge of the Matrimonial Property Act” 🙂