Have you ever been to New Zealand? The beauty of this country will never cease to amaze me – true I’m a Kiwi born and bred, so I guess I’m naturally a tad biased.
Last week Andrew and I made a quick trip to Central Otago which is in the South Island of NZ. It was time to visit vineyards, chat with growers, winemaker, and managers – the people that make it happen.
Toting my camera and wearing my new puffer jacket and black merino gloves (its cold down yonder) I took a variety of pics. I ohhed and ahhed as can be expected, it’s a stunning place.
I hope you enjoy your visit to Central Otago – Pinot Noir country.
Lake Dunstan
Pensive hubby
MacArthurs Ridge
25 Steps – What a view!
Hawthorn on the roadside
Bridge across the Kawarau River – wood, perfect!
More hawthorn
Toi Toi NZ native grass
The drinkable stuff!
Stunningly beautiful photos of a stunningly beautiful area! “Ching Ching!” as the Spanish say as the tap their wine cups together for a toast. Cheers! For good wine, beautiful landscapes and stunning photos.
Hey Tim .. thank you so much, what a wonderful comment, and so appreciated! Ching ching back at you.
I like Pensive Hubby, 174, Hawthorne and aerial view of all those sheep! Oh. And the drinkable stuff looks (and sounds!) yummy as well.
Yes I like pensive hubby too, and 174 and those sheep. LOL Needless to say if you are a pinot noir fan, then that is special too! Graet to see you down under.
Beautiful photography, Julie. The delights of “Middle Earth” are vast.
You’ve reminded me I need to buy some more Toi Toi again.
Ah Middle Earth .. great place to be. Glad you like the pics LD .. And happy to provide that reminder – time to stock up the wine cellar! LOL
I love your photos Julie. I haven’t been down that way as often as I probably should, being a kiwi and all. It is too beautiful. Interestingly the willow trees in the second shot seem to be filling out with green leaves already. It is good to see.
Cheers Sarah : o )
Sarah.. thank you verry much. It is so beautiful in the south, I would love to move there but I would be devoid of a winter vege garden 🙂 Yes the willow trees are showing some green. They seem to be more advanced than up here .. no idea why! Thanks for stopping by Miss .
Oh, it is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing Jules.
One day I’d love to see it in person. Stunning scenery!
Hi ya Robyn! You are so welcome, thank you. You have to come and see it in person (with your camera) you would go nuts! Then you would have to come and see me too. Yay!
Absolutely Jules 😃😃
If you’re biased toward NZ Julie, it’s for good reason. What amazingly beautiful scenery and shots! I have scenery envy.
I like that ..’ scenery envy’. LOL It is such a beautiful place Dan .. and it sure is for a good reason! Put a visit on the ‘must do list’. 😀
Maybe some day. It sure looks like a great place to visit 🙂
Julie, Honey, these images are just drop jaw exquisite. Wow! I took a wee bit of time to come on over here to take a peek, and I am so glad I did. You spent a lot of time not only photographing these treasures but putting this post together. For everything you did, I do thank you!! Bless you for the sparkling Jewel you are! Love, Amy <3
Hello Amy .. oh that is so kind of you. I’m super pleased that you like them. Thanks for popping over for a peek. I love being able to share this with you as I know you will enjoy. I suspect that you are more of a sparkling jewel than I – but thank you so much for that. Hugs back at you Miss
You are very welcome, Julie. It is wonderful getting to know you. (((HUGS))) Amy <3
Beautiful pictures of an amazing country!
Oh thank you so much! I’m so pleased you enjoyed them. Great to know that you stopped by. 😀
It’s just so lovely. Loads of times I read thru your blog posts (with Robert looking over my shoulders) and we talk about how similar NZ is to Canada. These photos could have been taken in the central Okanagan valley BC where my middle daughter lives, with its lakes, vineyards and snow capped mountains. No wonder people who move between our countries tend to feel right at home. I love it. Hey, can’t wait to get my hands (somehow) on one of your bottles of wine! 😀
Hey V ..I’m pleased Robert gets to see my posts. I’m sure Canada is very beautiful .. I would so love to go there. And if I ever do watch out 😀 I wish we sold Toi Toi in Canada I’d send you some. Maybe there is such a thing as a wine fairy 🙂 Take care, love knowing you have stopped by …
What amazing pics
Looks so beautiful xx
Thanks Joe .. won’t be long now and you will be enjoying it! Well the north island anyway. 😀 Woohoo
This is just one of the reasons my son is so reluctant to leave NZ and return home! Some of the shots remind me of Scotland, though with a much bluer sky.
Hey Anne – gosh I didn’t know you had a son here. It is a beautiful country indeed. I will get to Scotland one day, it is one of those places that I am so keen to visit. Take care ..
Hi Julie and Andrew
Julie the photos are amazing you can feel the cold weather in your shots. How did you manage with the heights? It was a good shot of both Toi Tois can’t wait to get back and taste it again. I still have one bottle left and reluctant to open it! Well on Monday it’s officially autum so will have to think about clearing some of the pots and planting bulbs there are still some that Joyce planted well over twelve years ago! Lots love to you both Bill xxx
Hey Mr bonner. It was cold down South – a very different cold to Auckland. Heights what heights? Ha ha ha .. no I was hiding behind my camera – all good. Oh I’m pleased you liked the shots. I liked the Toi Toi imagery too. Only one bottle left! LOL Spring yay … I can’t wait for the wind! Hugs and love back at you
I’ve never been to New Zealand but love the one you bring to us through your exquisite photos – thanks. This reminds me just how large your country is and with many different regions…hope one day to visit.
Thanks for stopping by, so pleased you enjoyed the pics. Gosh when I think of large I think of Australia :D. We are so lucky in NZ .. loads of lovely scenery, and not to far to drive to see it. You must pop NZ on your ‘must visit’ list. You would love it! 😀
Wonderful photos. It looks like beautiful country. You must have had quite a perch overlooking the sheep. Also very nice picture of Andrew. I hope you were able to find time to get the cap off that bottle! Take care.
Hey bob .. I did have quite a perch. And given I hate heights .. LOL. It is a beautiful country but then so is yours! Glad you liked the pic of Andrew. I do too! I think we did find a wee bit of time to enjoy the wine. 😀
What a great time to visit a winery. The stark beauty of the countryside, the hawthorne berries and toi-toi grass, New Zealland is such a stunning country. Beautiful photos as always Julie. Notice how I am not saying anything at all about the last shot? I am studiously ignoring it, given that am in the land of “no wine” .
Hello Francesa! Oh you made me laugh when I read your last sentence. Hilarious! Yep, no wine where you are. Hope you are having a great time .. sure to be. And I’m glad you liked the pics too. It was a great time to visit down yonder even if a bit chilly. Thanks Miss 😀
Have I ever mentioned that I love your home land? I have been numerous times with camera in hand. Just stunning photography young Lady!
Thank you Miss.. You have been here many times? Give me a holler next time 😄 be so nice to catch up! Have a great weekend
Most certainly will give you a holler next time we are over in Kiwi Land. ☺
😉
Woww…these photos are really breathtaking! What a beautiful landscape. Hope you have a great time! Best greetings from Munich! 🙂
Hey Josephine .. thank you! It is amazing scenery .. so good being there with my camera 😀 I had a great time Miss. Greetings from Frog Pond Farm.
Julie, Unbelievably awesome!! Will probably never get overseas from the US myself but will encourage my traveling kids to go. Love your blog and the gorgeous pictures! Autumn is here in the US and preparing for winter. Anxiously waiting for more tales from your end of the world! Warm regards from Rita in Virginia, USA.
Beautiful photos . Its such a treat to sit down and take time with your posts and this one deserves time. Breathtaking countryside photographed in glory . Thanks again Julie xxxxxxx
endless beauty 🙂
Mmmmmmmm, Pinot Noir…… 😊 Magnificent photos! Quite incredible to see the grape vines against the back drop of snow capped mountains. I have been to NZ actually, but it’s been a while, and not so far south. It is a magical place – as we witness in your photos. Lovely, lovely!
Oh so incredibly beautiful!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Having been having another look at this post and your gorgeous pics. Love that. Middle Earth 😃 It is stunning!
I bought myself some red merino gloves this year. Oh yum, they’re so warm.. and I picked up a red snow jacket… He he. I’m warm too 😃
Must try some Toi Toi. I haven’t yet, but I shall.
Beautiful set of images.
Thank you 😃
What an amazing photo series of your wonderful country. You have a good eye for the beautiful things around you!
Great pix!
Thank you 😀
Really great pictures here.
Thank you 😃
Truly spectacular! Thank you so much for the tour. Love the mob of sheep taking over the roads. That gave me a chuckle. The landscape is as Veronica mentions very similar to the Okanagan valley in Canada. Similar but not the same. The Toi Toi grass is soemthing I’d like to learn more about.
The Toi Toi is special .. Looks similar to pampas grass. Have a Google Debra .. I grew up calling it cutty grass 😊
Love em all. We are waiting for autumn!
You and hubby have a fight? He is looking pensive 😉 lol!
Ha ha, no fight .. Lost in thought 😄
Stunning! I’ve only been around North Island – South Island should be the next….
Oh you must see the South Island .. it really is beautiful and the scenery is superb!
I have indeed visited New Zealand, spending February of this year there and taking many pictures of your scenic country:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/tag/new-zealand/
Hi Steve .. NZs landscape just begs to be photographed. Thanks for the visit 😊
Amazing photos – thanks for reliving some wonderful memories
You are very welcome .. So pleased you enjoyed 😀
The beauty and serenity of your home land is inspirational.
Merino is so cozy isn’t it? Magnificent photos of the magnificent scenery in the Mainland.
So pleased you enjoyed 😊