EXPLORING THE SOURCE

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Vintner voyage EXPLORING THE SOURCE

The Canterbury region is home to some stunning wine destinations that are perfect for an afternoon or even a whole day out! Lost for what to put into Google Maps first? Fear not: What’s Hot Christchurch is on hand with a few pointers on making the most of your winery escape.

LONG LUNCH Several wineries in the Canterbury region have elevated their cuisine offerings to the point where they are known almost as much for their food as their wine. There’s not a lot that can beat a languid al fresco session over some top drops and outstanding fare out in the beautiful Canterbury hinterlands. Draw straws for sober driver, then head for: Black Estate Crafting characterful drops, Black Estate is a family-owned and operated winery, tasting room and restaurant. Savour the sumptuous combination of fine, locally-sourced fare with their exquisite wines while drinking in the equally impressive vistas across the rolling Waipara hills. The expressive winemaking process is reflected in Black Estate’s spectacular seasonal dishes, which earned the Cuisine magazine award for Best Winery Restaurant 2019 and two hats in the Cuisine Good Food Awards. With a delicious

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range of gourmet dishes and perfectly aged or current organic wines available, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Greystone Named after the limestone earth its vines take root in, this award-winning winery is famous for its Pinot Noir, and it also sports some incredible Chardonnays and Rieslings. Greystone’s eatery boasts sharing plates made from locally grown, organic, and foraged produce. You can start off with a vineyard tour at 11:30am then settle in for lunch with organic wines, including a wine-paired tasting menu. There’s also a walking-and-cycle trail running through the stunning vineyard if you want to make a whole day of it. Fiddler’s Green Vineyard & Bistro If you are on the hunt for a spot to pull up a pew and while away a couple of hours, then Fiddler’s Green Vineyard & Bistro is for you. You can expect a tasty combination of European-inspired and Kiwi favourites as well as comforting pub-style dishes that will entice and delight. Take your pick from the selection of wines or indulge in others from the surrounding Waipara Valley.

Other wineries with cuisine offerings include: Melton Estate – enjoy the signature sparkling Riesling with a hearty antipasti platter. Waipara Springs Winery and Café – boutique wines — 03 — matched to a sensational menu. Waipara Hills – fresh, seasonal dishes that pair perfectly with the award-winning wines.

CELLAR DOOR What better way to try wines than at the source? Owned and operated by the pioneering Donaldson family, Pegasus Bay is often referred to as the leading producer of fine wine in the Waipara region, and its cellar door is open weekends from 10am – 5pm. Also in Waipara is Terrace Edge Vineyard & Olive Grove, a family-run organic vineyard with a tasting room open Thursday to Sunday 11am – 4:30pm and showcases the local Pinot Gris and other varieties. Torlesse Wines opens daily from 11am – 5pm. Further Waipara winery visits are possible by advanced appointment with the Georges Road Wines team, who are happy for you to try their Syrah, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, rosé and noble Riesling; Pyramid Valley Vineyards, where the crew love to meet their guests and show off some product providing you can give them a little bit of warning; and as time allows at Bell Hill Vineyard and Bishops Head. North of Waipara you’ll find the Cheviot tasting room of Mt. Beautiful Wines, where you can also order up a platter from the Two Rivers Café (open daily) to

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01 Black Estate 02 Greystone Wines 03 Waipara Springs 04 Waipara Hills 05 Fiddlers Green Vineyard & Bistro

01 — Cellar Door at Pyramid Valley

go with tastings of their artisan drops; and Hanmer Springs’ Waiau River Estate, formerly known as Marble Point, where the cellar door is open Friday – Sunday, 10.30am – 3pm, and where the team will knock together a tasty cheese platter – or you can endeavour to create your own – to go with their multi-award winning wines and great views over the Waiau River Valley. In Selwyn you can head for the ‘taste and buy’ of Rossendale’s medal-winning drops, open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm and weekends by appointment; the boutique, family-owned Lone Goat Vineyard for tastings including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir – vineyard tours by arrangement; and Straight 8 Estate, with a cellar door, open daily, that also houses a family heirloom and classic vintage racing car after which the vineyard is named – a 1935 Railton Light Sports.

OVERNIGHTER Is heading back to the city in the evening just too distressing a prospect? Make it a proper getaway with boutique, on-vineyard accommodation… bliss.

Award-winning Black Estate has a real hideaway B&B available on its Waipara Valley vineyard. The views are vast, expanding from the garden and vineyard to the majestic Southern Alps. Mountain and trail bikes are provided for you to use while staying. At Darnley Corner Wines in Waipara you can stay in the delightful converted shed overlooking their boutique vineyard.

Annie’s Loft & Studio offers secluded B&B accommodation at the Waipara River Estate; Dunnolly Cottage is a modern, private spot with a garden overlooking the Dunnolly Vineyard; and at House of Ball you can enjoy a tranquil retreat at this artisan vineyard operation in a stunning spot. For a super-luxe escape, the Greystone PurePod, perched above the Greystone Wines vineyards, features glass walls, ceiling and floor, meaning there’s something to see everywhere you look; while The Old Glenmark Vicarage is a truly wine-focused destination, with boutique rustic accommodation options and their own wines to try, making it a great base for your exploration of the Waipara vineyards.

02 — Spectacular views at Greystone PurePods

TOURS Take the effort out of organising things yourself (and give driving duties to someone else!) with a wine tour. Explore Waipara has a mission to share their passion for “the wines, the people and the region of Waipara” and they do this with bespoke, wine-focused tours. The tours are a full day and include lunch as well as a fabulous selection of wineries and wines. Through Explore Waipara, you can meet the people that make North Canterbury the coolest little wine region in the country. Other tour options are available through Waipara Wine and Craft Beer Tours.

If you prefer the gentler pace of cycling from vineyard to vineyard, Natural High offers a one-day Waipara Wine Tour by cycle. Or you can take the self-guided option of Hurunui Trails’ Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail.

To hire a bike, head to Chill in Christchurch’s Durham Street North. There are city bikes, mountain-bikes and e-bikes for hire, so there is something for everyone. The shop stocks a full range of new bikes and accessories to buy, and can also repair and service your bike.

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— 03 — CELLAR DOOR WINE BAR/BISTRO

This wine bar and wine-tasting room is set in the historical School of Art building in the Arts Centre of Christchurch Te Matatiki Toi Ora. Cellar Door pay tribute to the room’s rich history with curated art and objects – the divine décor will have you feeling relaxed. You can order wine as a 40ml taster or 150ml glass. There’s also a selection of wine by the bottle. Classic, elegant dishes are served up using seasonal local ingredients that are matched to the wines. Cellar Door also have a selection of local craft beer on tap, a selection of gin, whisky, cognac, aperitifs, digestifs and cocktails, as well as local soft drinks and house-made soda syrups. The staff are warm and welcoming, the wine is fine and the food is fantastic. Go for: Curated Flight – in the world of wine, a flight describes a group of wines that are tasted side by side for comparison. This demonstrates the differences in region, variety, winemaking style and provenance.

MENU SAMPLER Pea hummus, Broad bean and pomegranate dip and seed wafers. $14 Braised beef cheek for two Mushroom ragout and creamy polenta. $29 Buckwheat, garden pea and broad bean salad with preserved lemon. $15 White anchovies on toast SIGNATURE DISH Gremolata and chardonnay shallots. $9 Duck, pork and pistachio terrine, Cornichons and sourdough. $18 Zucchini ribbons Marinated with lemon oil and chardonnay vinegar, pine nuts and goat’s cheese. $15 Risotto of scallop, fennel and lemon. $22 Lamb meatballs al pomodoro, Parmigiano, Reggiano and torn sourdough. $21 Bombe Alaska Citrus curd, Italian meringue. $16 Baba, Saturated in Pinot Noir syrup, seasonal berries, vanilla mascarpone. $16

01 — Try a curated wine flight 02 — Braised beef cheek 03 — Classic, elegant dishes on the menu 04 — Delicious drops to accompany your meal 05 — The Arts Centre

The Arts Centre, 1 Hereford Street, Central City 03 925 8497 Open 10am – 10pm daily cellardoor.nz

It’s been called the Amsterdam of the Antipodes, which isn’t a crazy stretch; Christchurch is lined with over 40 kilometres of cycleways and shared trails, meaning there’s a bike path to take you to almost every corner of this wonderful – and mostly flat – city. Coast out to Christchurch’s best inner-city beaches and accompanying ice cream parlours, take to the Port Hills for some thigh-burning views, or hit up the mountain bike trails for an adrenaline-filled romp. If you haven’t 01 — Art: Wongi Wilson. Photo: Bespoked Cycles of Christchurch’s most idyllic spots, start at the historic Arts Centre and make tracks through the splendour of Hagley Park, following the cycle trail to Mona Vale’s sprawling grounds. Cruise through Riccarton Bush (go on Saturday for a stop off at the famous farmers’ market, with all its tasty handmade treats), and follow the leafy cycleway to the pretty university campus.

02 — Hagley Park

On your bike WHEEL TIME

brought your own bike along on your visit, there are several options for hiring one. Save money, save the planet and join us as we explore Christchurch from the saddle.

Start by hopping on your bike for a cruise around the central city. Cycling is perfectly paced for taking in the city’s street art, public sculpture and unique parks, and there’s an endless supply of great cafés to fuel your ride. The city centre has free ‘Locky Docks’, where you can safely lock your bike – just download the Locky Dock app. For a tree-lined trip that takes in some 03 — Ōtākaro Avon River

Cycling also offers one of the best ways to explore the effects of the Christchurch earthquake. Put your feet to the pedals and cruise down Te Ara Ōtākaro Avon River Trail, which winds alongside the Avon River from Cambridge Village Green through the residential red zone and out to New Brighton. Boards along the route tell the tale of how the environment and the Christchurch community have been affected by the earthquakes.

The warmer months are perfect for carefree bike rides along the waterfront causeway from Ferrymead Bridge to Moncks Bay, which has been resurfaced and replanted and is now mostly a wide, safe expanse for cyclists. The shared-use pathway offers stunning views across the water to New Brighton, and you can stop off in Redcliffs to watch the locals out sailing. Continue on to Sumner for a stroll along the beach or a dip into the water, and reward yourself with a delish artisan ice cream from Utopia Ice. You won’t be alone on your bike - Sumner is a hotspot for long-distance cyclists refuelling on caffeine after coming down from the hills.

Whether you’re keen to put in the kilometres or cruise around the inner city sights, there’s nothing quite like exploring by bike, and Christchurch is an easy place to get around on two wheels. For bike hire, bike tours and general local low-down, visit chillout.co.nz. If you get addicted, they can set you up with a whole new rig.

CHILL – EXPLORE WITH US CYCLE TOURS/CYCLE HIRE

Christchurch is a majestic city growing from the ground up and at its heart is a weave of trails and cycleways ideal for exploring the city. Chill know you’ll experience the best of Christchurch with two wheels. For almost 10 years they have been offering visitors the opportunity to see the city through the eyes of locals. Explore with them as they show you some of the city’s best kept secrets, the urban landscape, and help you to appreciate Christchurch’s rich history and exciting new future.

GUIDED TOURS Chill offers the chance to explore Christchurch’s easy-riding cycle trails with experienced local guides. Through the Daily City Cycle Tours you can experience the beauty of the city’s garden heritage in Hagley Park and the excitement and growth of the CBD. It’s an ideal way to appreciate Christchurch’s unique urban landscape. Daily City Cycle Tours (2.5 hours) starting at 9:00am or 2:00pm departing from Chill. Bookings essential.

SELF GUIDED TOURS Popular for people keen to spend a day or longer making the most of the outdoors in and around the beautiful city. Chill offers a great range of bikes and routes that are carefully curated to ensure you enjoy the ride. You can go beyond the city, riding toward Akaroa on the Little River Trail. Enjoy the ever-changing landscapes from farmland to wetland on this stunning cycling track. Drop off at Little River and ride the Little River Trail back to Christchurch (This can be reversed). Bookings essential.

URBAN HIRE Hiring out bikes to locals and visitors to explore Christchurch since 2010 – Chill have a great range of new bikes and are happy to take the time to make sure your ride is comfortable and fun. The Chill crew are keen riders, passionate about sharing their local knowledge including highlights in the city and beyond. Helmets included. Bikes: Schwinn Sierra Step Thrus / Surly Road Bikes / Felt Electric Bikes.

DIRT HIRE If you’re a little more adventurous, Chill have selected a great range of new mountain and touring bikes to hire. The bikes suit all types of riders and allow you to make the most of a twowheeled adventure in the South Island. They also hire out bike accessories such as panniers, which are super handy for carrying your gear. Helmets included. Bikes: GT Hardtail and Full Suspension Mountain Bikes / Surly Touring Bikes / GT Electric Bikes.

287 Durham Street North, Central City 03 365 6530 Open Mon – Fri 8:30am – 5:30pm, Sat 10:00am – 4:00pm chillout.nz