Wednesday, February 21, 2018

A Day of Art and Wine

View from Matahaipo Bach
We moved today to the cottage we had originally rented.  It is down Island a bit but still close to where the action is.  It is also in need of paint and yard work.  The bed has a significant slant to the east.  Only the view is top notch.  But it is clean; the kitchen is functional; washer and dryer are on site; the internet is sort of fast.

This whole island has a bohemian vibe that reminds me of Key West or the Caribbean.  For example, today we looked for art galleries and artists.  I was particularly interested in one of the artists who works in kauri. Walking steeply down the drive to his studio, we passed huge caches of kauri, several small dwellings and work spaces.  At the bottom of the steep, twisting, overgrown drive was a cottage with one side completely open to a patio.  On the patio were three 20 somethings just chilling out.  “Hi Ya. No we’re not the owner. He’s at the other studio.  He just comes and goes. Have a g’day.”  
Drive Way to Kauri Studio
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Drive Way to Kauri Studio
We next went to the Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant.  It is a gorgeous estate with manicured gardens of lavender hedges...HEDGES and topiary olive trees.  We had a small tasting of a Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Cabernet/Merlot blend.  They grow Bordeaux grape varietals but also use other grapes for some pressings.  From what I can determine, none of the vineyards process the grapes into wine.  They seem to use a vintner at a mysterious location “where they work closely with the vintner to achieve the quality wine you are now tasting”.  We are taking a wine tour Friday, and I will get to the bottom of this. Pictures of the gorgeous Mudbrick at flickr.