Did someone say 'Wine Tasting'?

It’s no secret that I like a drink, to be fair though I tend to be quite particular about not wasting my sugar intake on wine or bubbles that don’t make my palette sing!

I was fortunate this year to find myself on holiday in the Marlborough region in New Zealand. Long story short, our eldest son was on a Rugby tour and being the responsible parent that I am, once I knew the destination, felt compelled to go along as his ‘Cheer squad!’ He was thrilled naturally, being a 13-year- old teenage boy and having his parents and younger brother tag along. His growing desire for a bit of space came on day 4 of the trip when we decided to break away from the group activities and go ‘Wine Tasting!’

The night before we’d planned to go, luck literally smiled on me while we were waiting to catch a taxi home after dinner. As we were standing in the pouring rain, convinced all the cab drivers in Blenheim had finished for the night there was one of those occasions that only those of us who’s personalities are a little bolder, live for. Pulling into the carpark I saw it, the one thing that excites me more than a new Louis Vuitton bag or Champagne before 10am, the Astrolabe Winery branding on the side on a dual cab ute. That’s the moment I met Sam Waghorn, Sales Manager of one of my favourite drops! In an instant I’d introduced myself, the rest of the family and declared my undying love and commitment to drinking as much Astrolabe Wine in my lifetime that my poor suffering liver could handle. It’s fair to say he’d probably never met a wine connoisseur quite like me but unperturbed by the predicament he found himself in offered to open the family winery to us the following day for a private tasting.

When we arrived at the boutique winery we were warmly welcomed by Sam and several members of the Astrolabe team. This experience is one usually reserved for chic hoteliers, sommeliers from top end restaurants and buyers from exclusive wine merchants, so we knew what a privilege it was to be a guest and receive an invitation to learn about the Astrolabe journey and of course taste the wine. There’s seriously not enough words to describe how incredible our afternoon was, beautiful surroundings, spectacular views, stylish glass wear and wines from their range I hadn’t been fortunate enough to sample before. Being already a fan of the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris I really enjoyed discovering new favourites like the Albarino, Dry Riesling and Pinot Rose, all simply divine! After a long goodbye and ordering enough wine to be shipped back to keep us going for some time we drove out the driveway of Astrolabe HQ feeling like we’d had one of those once in lifetime experiences you can’t put a price tag on.

The Marlborough region is one of those places that literally takes your breath away. It’s such a special part of the world to visit, not just because it’s home to more than 100 wineries but the community is so warm and welcoming. Meeting Sam Waghorn was a chance encounter that led to a wonderful memory of our time in New Zealand. Do yourself a favour, Dan Murphy’s stock the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, you’ll be back to  buy more in no time!