How good are you at packing? I love going away but loathe the packing process with a passion. It seems no matter what, that I will always overpack, take the wrong clothes, or leave something behind.
My carry on was stuffed with devices, cords, chargers, camera and lens – it weighed a lot more than the 7kg allowance. I felt guilty.
Monday in Marlborough was overcast which was such a shame as we were shooting our segment for a new series on NZ television called Thirsty Work – presented by the vivacious Yvonne Lorkin. A fun day nonetheless .. it’s always enjoyable talking wine.
The weather on the Tuesday was sublime .. which was spent checking vineyards, grapes and preparing for harvest which was due to start at Loddon Lane the next day.
I adore this vineyard which is located in the Wairau Valley in Marlborough with gorgeous views of Mt Fishtail. It is a spectacular vineyard, grows only sauvignon blanc, and is a photographer’s delight positioned next to the Wairau River.
Given the volumes of recent rain the vineyard was verdant green and showing off in the autumn sunshine.
Harvest for me means lugging my camera gear around the vineyard, avoiding the harvesters which are chugging up and down rows, while looking for the perfect shot. I think I ate my fair share of grapes, managed to get juice over my camera and lens and then wondered why some pictures looked blurry.
Vineyards at harvest time are busy. Clock watching, waiting for trucks, conferring with people, some nail biting and the general logistics associated with the gathering of those grapes – an important time in the Toi Toi year.
The 2016 vintage was huge and Loddon surprised us with its tonnage. We left just after sunset leaving the night shift to our winemaker Chris – who is adept at making a fine Sauv Blanc and a great bloke into the bargain.
I repacked my bag on the Thursday morning nothing had changed it was still overpacked and cumbersome, time to head back to Auckland and leave the boys to the harvest. Brookdale Vineyard in the Omaka Valley was booked in for Friday.
There is loads to do in our garden. I have seedlings absolutely busting to be planted, summer beds to clear and boost with organic material and loads of TLC, garlic to plant (I’m always early), pruning to finish and a keen eye watching those olives it’s not long to go before we will be harvesting them either.
Happy gardening