Two days in Blenheim Marlborough country

Blenheim is the wine capital of Marlborough region. Of course we want to taste wine here.

On Sunday morning we go to a small farmers' market and meet four young German backpackers. We sit in the sun and have a chat with them about life and culture of NZ. 

Then we go on a long walk along the river Wairau. 

In the evening we go out for dinner to the Hans Herzog Estate.

Hans Herzog is a Swiss wine maker who came to NZ 16 years ago. On a relatively small area he developed a huge variety of grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Zweigelt, Viognee, Cabernet, Merlot, Montepulciano....

In the midst of the vineyards there is a fine Bistro and a Restaurant, we cannot resist and a book a table. 

We are offered the opportunity to park our campervan on the grounds of the estate and stay overnight on the near river bank, so that we can have a 5 course degustation menu 

with accompanying wines. 

Is it lovely? Late in the evening we go back to the car, it is absolutely quiet here and it is not dark at all, as there is an almost full moon. Believe it or not, the restaurant closes up for 5 months from now on. This was the last night, as it is winter here!!! Winter with ca 20 degrees at daytime.