 | | NEW ZEALAND'S MARLBOROUGH REGION Savvy travelers are discovering new reasons to visit the lush greenery, snow-capped mountains and spectacular ocean beaches that have long drawn adventurers to exotic New Zealand—award-winning wines.
With accolades from oenophiles worldwide, New Zealand wines, such as those from highly- esteemed Cloudy Bay Vineyards, are changing the culinary landscape Down Under. As a result, the spotlight on its wine-producing areas, notably South Island’s Marlborough Region, has never been brighter.
Located on the northern tip of rugged South Island, the Marlborough Region, with its warm and sunny coastal climate, is home to more than thirty thriving wineries—famed Cloudy Bay Vineyards among them.
“The wine industry has been a great asset here,” says Deborah Baxter, manager of the luxurious Timara Lodge, a converted 1920’s country manor in Marlborough’s Blenheim district. “It has attracted a lot more people who are interested in food and wine, especially our Sauvignon Blanc.” According to Baxter, the Marlborough Region, which was once just a stopping-point for travelers headed further south, merits at least three days touring and tasting—with a little time thrown in for whale-watching, too.
Sampling fine wines at their source can be a powerful experience, as many wine lovers know, and travelers to Marlborough will find the scenery a stunning complement to the occasion. With the Richmond Ranges as a spectacular backdrop, visitors to Cloudy Bay’s modern winery are given a thorough presentation of the current releases, including the 2002 Chardonnay and
2003 Sauvignon Blanc.
The Cloudy Bay winery prides itself on providing an informed staff to discuss the wines and their winemaking philosophy. While true, the winery also serves as a showcase of Marlborough’s warm hospitality. In fact, a stop at any local winery will find a friendly, inviting atmosphere, where pretension is rarely part of the scenery.
In touring South Island, visitors might expect to find lodging as rugged as the terrain. Not so. Marlborough offers a wide array of upscale accommodations, such as Baxter’s superb Timara Lodge. With only four guest rooms, and set amidst expansive gardens and a tranquil lake, Timara offers the perfect escape into laid-back luxury. Manager Deborah Baxter, also the chef-in-residence, serves family-style culinary feasts that are an excellent introduction to New Zealand food and wine.
With a new generation of chefs taking culinary cues from Asia and California, New Zealand’s restaurant scene is also coming of age. A great time to explore the region’s cuisine is during the Marlborough Food and Wine Festival, held each February. Chefs make use of wonderful local produce, seafood and meat, and menus highlight the best the region has to offer. Regardless of the season, a stop at the d’Urville Wine Bar and Brasserie, or any of the other local culinary hotspots, is a must. Be sure to sample such native treasures as Green Shelled Mussels, Marlborough salmon, farm-raised venison, and of course, the ubiquitous kiwi.
Wining and dining are perfect ways to explore the earthly wonders of the Marlborough Region. For travelers who have ventured halfway around the world, a gourmet feast at the end of the day not only nourishes the soul, but prepares the body for another day of basking in New Zealand’s natural splendor.
Further Information
Blenheim Visitor Information Centre - tel. 64 (3) 578-9904
Marlborough Food & Wine Festival - tel. 64 (3) 577-8977
Recommended Lodging
Timara Lodge - tel. 64 (3) 572-9191
Hotel d'Urville - tel. 64 (3) 577-9945
The Marlborough - tel. 64 (3) 577-7333
The Peppertree Homestead - tel. 64 (3) 578-8009
Cranbook Cottage - tel. 64 (3) 572-8606
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