weeklyTRAVEL
Canterbury ALEXIA SANTAMARIA GETS A TASTE OF THE SOUTH’S INTOXICATING WINE REGION
Above: The meandering Waipara River. Below: So many treats await you at Amberley’s Farmers’ Markets.
W
e were only going to stop in Amberley for a takeout caffeine boost after an early flight, but what should have been a five-minute break turned into a sit-down coffee and caramel slice, a mooch round the farmers’ markets and half an hour of glorious fossicking through Mumma T Trading Lounge, a magical world of Good girl! Beagle Rosie has sniffed out another truffle.
perfectly curated modern, vintage, retro and antique collectibles. This much fun, even before we got to our destination? If you’re heading to North Canterbury Wine Region for the weekend (and you should be, especially in early March when they hold the Food and Wine Festival) do stop at Amberley, especially if it’s market Saturday. It was so much fun chatting with the friendly and quirky producers and – of course – sampling their wares. We stocked up on luscious cheese from Little Farm Goat Dairy,
fresh crusty bread from Rachel Scott and locally grown roasted hazelnuts from Harvest Glen. It had become clear people like good food in these parts. The only thing to tear us away from this tiny town was the thought of spending an hour with Gareth and his adorable beagle Rosie at Limestone Hills. This clever and cute canine showed us how she sniffs, digs and hunts out truffles – Perigord, Burgundy, Bianchetto and Winter Black. A fascinating process which resulted in six fat, earthy specimens in just 10 minutes. It’s incredible how a whole business can come down to the talents of a tiny dog’s nose. Shopping, markets, coffee,
