Tag Archives: Winery

Luis Canas Bodega (winery) La Rioja

This family run winery Luis Canas Bodega is in the La Rioja region in north Spain. La Rioja is about 80km from Bilboa and has many little villages with boutique hotels.

Front wine tasting bar

Some people (especially groups) will often take a cab from Zaragoza or hiring a car will give you independence.

We found this fantastic vineyard in the village of Villabuena de Álava and stayed at Hotel Viura.

You can go for a wine tasting at Luis Canas but I highly recommend a tour.

Wine tasting flight

The vivacious knowledgable Carmen will take you on an exceptional tour, explaining all the grapes grown in the region, some history and finishing on the cusp of the vineyards valley of grape vines.

The cellar was impressive!

With a large production and representing many local wine growers, they are committed to sustainability, integrity and looking after the little farmers.

Carmen and excellent guide!

It is hard to put into perspective the gentle sound that the vines make, the smells that the wine emits and the tastes of the region on your palate. It’s a personal experience that has to be taken by you.

The beautiful vines of the bodega

I highly recommend a tour and visit of this vineyard. Book a tour here and find out more.

Wine Touring from Auckland

It’s a typical Auckland winter’s spring day – cold, wind, rain, sun!

All the seasons every hour.

We head off to explore west of Auckland and the local wineries.

There is a lot to see and some really good wines, some lovely experiences, including the historic The Riverhead and the west coast of NZ.

The Riverhead

The Riverhead is a restaurant location dating back to the 1850s.

Beautifully preserved it buildings and location offer a warm vibe.

The pub is great for a NZ wine, craft beer and game of pool. A fire side welcomes everyone, the staff are friendly and their is plenty of space and low noise so you can chat. You can sit outside with their warm heaters in winter so many options.

The restaurant has a very good reputation but we felt it feel a little short of it’s price and reputation. The staff weren’t the best and the food whilst restaurant standard wasn’t abundant. We gave it a 4/5.

Dul winery

I lovely little winery near Kumea. Worth a stop over and as the lady says their “chardonnay is the stilettos of wines”.

Hunting Lodge winery

I really like this winery – open, classy and two price levels of wines. Really good food and friendly staff. I highly rate Hunting Lodge.

The wines are great and there are two eating options – casual (perfect for families and kids) or the five star restaurant.

Muirawa Bay

This is an absolute must. Only 45 minutes from Auckland the coastline is radically different to the east coast.

Wild and rough and some how exhilarating. The sand is speculedwith dark ebony sand and cobalt blue. I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else in the world. It’s an artists haven.

Follow the beach around the cliff and you will discover something really amazing. It is a gull colony and it truly breath taking. While watching birds navigate their landings, I felt like I was in a David Attenborough show. Amazing.

Stonyridge Vineyard Waiheke Island

Stonyridge Vineyard and restaurant

Perched about 20 minutes via car from the ferry at Waiheke is Stonyridge Vineyard. It is a magnificent looking vineyard and in summer boasts a vine wrapping all around the main building. It reminds me of a vineyard I once visited in Corsica.

I have been here before so going back was for the wine and ambiance.

What we discovered is that most vineyards on Waiheke charge (what I would call, a small fortune) to do a taste sampling. Some charge $10 for 3, others $15 for 3 premium. Guard your wallet because whilst they are guarding their cellar door so you don’t drink down their vats for free, you will be paying quite a lot more for the privilege of drinking a Waiheke grown wine.

On this day we are very fortunate to have Nathan as our bar tasting man. Entertaining and a whizz at wines we learn a lot about the local wines as well as New Zealand wines.

The wines here, like everywhere else on Waiheke, are expensive.  But you have to expect it… don’t be surprised. 

After sampling some wines we settle on a nice crisp Riesling and venture into the restaurant for lunch. In summer the outdoor area pumps. It’s referred to as the yoga deck which is kinda suitable as it has views spanning over the vineyard and to be honest I don’t know if they do yoga there or not, but it would be a perfect venue. 

The restaurant is fine. Vineyard style, with a good menu but rich prices. We chose to share two entrees and a main. 

Our entrees prawns and fish cerviche are good and our main is rib eye fillet, with mashed and jus.

We love our food so don’t want to put it down but it feel short somehow. As I type I feel bad writing. It was OK – to great but just not spectacular. 

Obviously it is better than cafe food and a pub meal but when you pay $44 for steak I think one should expect 6 star.

I would give the experience this time 3.5/5. The food 4/10, the wine tasting with Nathan 5/5 but the service unfortunately only 3/5. 

Mudbrick Winery, Waiheke

Mudbrick winery Waiheke

Situated on Waiheke Island – a 45 minute ferry ride from Auckland – is Mudbrick Wineries, just past Jurrasic Ridge.

It is one of the closest to the ferry terminal and this makes for a great day-time lunch venue. They even have transport (ferry) and two course meal specials in summer. Find out more here. 

It’s a short cab ride from the ferry, approximately 10 minutes. Or you can walk from the ferry through the beautiful countryside and this will take you approximately 30 minutes. 

We wander in and have a $10 taster which is good. The lady knows here wines and happy to chat.

After our tasting we slide into the restaurant area and have a nice glass of wine by the fire side. It is too early for lunch so this serves as a pause stop.

The food is meant to be remarkable. 

The service is good. And the location delightful.

My two favourite things are the edible garden on the way in, and the couches by the log fire side. Let’s face it who can pass up a great wine by the fire side? 

I did find it quite pricey if I am honest but the whole of the island is pretty expensive. Go for the experience not as a budget holiday.

Albert Creek Winery

Listening to the sound of the gurgling creek beside my table, gazing over the vineyard feeling that yummy mummy bliss.

This Saturday lunch, I have taken myself and the kids to Albert Creek Winery. 

The kids have taken themselves off to explore and I am happily reading up about this lovely property.

The sparkling white is a delight!

Months ago I purchased one of those 50% off on-line deals for lunch here. The expiry date for the voucher long came and went but the winery still obliged and honoured the voucher. Feeling very grateful and happy today is lovely.

They normally have a lunch time special; 2 courses for $35 or 3 courses for $45. Accompanying the specials menu (yummy soup, pork belly, and calamari for entree today, Chicken rolled in proscioto/parmesan , barramundi or vegetarian rissotto) and delicious desserts.

Eden Restaurant Mt Tamborine

It’s a glorious winter’s day and it’s school holidays on the Gold Coast.

I’m up on Mt Tamborine which is about a 45 minute drive from central Gold Coast.  There are a few ways to the summit and the ridge along the top is scattered with vineyards, restaurants, coffee houses, walks, a sky walk and the part where my daughter is going, Thunderbird park.

I drop her off to do the tree top challenge and I head off to a vineyard to do some work.

My friend owns Cedar Creek Wineries and their sparkling white is fantastic. Unfortunately they are booked out for lunch so I head next door to Mason Wineries.

I am pleasantly surprised!

Run by a worldly couple Dylan and Suraya, the vineyard has a happy feel.

The restaurant is called Eden Restaurant. 

The menu is different – tapas style smaller bites, with plates to share and a couple of salads.

The wines are also pretty good and reasonably priced.

Today I have the panko chicken, quinoa salad. It is quite different. Jalopenos, rocket, corn chips and capsicum salsa. It is light and yummy!

This is an interview I did with Chef Dylan. I love his commitment and passion for sourcing out real food!