Next port of call was Marlborough. The beautiful countryside scenery here was just a pleasant backdrop to the main event...the wine.
With lots on vineyards in close proximity, offering tastings, and more, we spent a very pleasant day on our bikes sampling some of the world's finest Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, as well as trying a wide variety of more recently introduced grapes (we took a particular liking to some of the Pinot Gris). The setup made it particularly inviting as well - just turn up at the "cellar door" of any vineyard, and more likely than not be given a sample of their full range of wines - from fizz, through whites and reds to desert wine - for free (ok, we did have to pay a nominal amount for a couple of them)!
Our wallets didn't get off scot-free though - we have had to convert one of Gertrude's storage lockers into a wine cellar to carry everything we came away with! This shot is taken from our camp spot a few nights later enjoying one of the Sauvignon Blancs. Gosh we love these kiwi camp sites. (The observant amongst you will notice the glasses are the ones we got given when we last tasted wine many miles away in Chile).
We enjoyed the tastings so much we felt compelled to stop by one more the following lunch time (after an early morning hills session) on our way out the region...
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