Tag: South Island

Pancake Rocks

The community of Punakaiki lies on the coast road between the towns of Westport and Greymouth. It has become a must to stop here, not just for refreshments and a toilet break but for the amazing natural phenomenon known as pancake rocks. There is roadside parking and  car park then across the road a walkway will take you on a circuit to see both the rock and the blowholes. It takes around 20 minutes to complete but there is no rush and you can take all the time you need. There is no charge for either parking or the walkway.

Geologists know that the rocks are made of limestone and were formed from the remains of sea creatures around 35 million years ago. What they can’t fully explain is why they are in layers.  The current idea put forward is that there harder limestone layers with are separated by softer layers made from mud. These softer layers erode more easily to create the pancake layering we can see today. This is phenomenon is called stylobedding.

The action of the sea has created rock formations that look very precarious and blowholes that, depending on the state of the tide, suddenly erupt with crashing waves.

The rocks are in a state of constant erosion by the sea and no doubt some will come crashing down and other new formations will appear. Pancake rocks are an amazing sight and well worth half an hour or so on the journey south.

Driving the West Coast

The drive from Nelson in the north of the South Island to Queenstown in the south is one of the greatest road trips in New Zealand if not the world. The scenery along the way is dominated by the Southern Alps and The Tasman Sea. In between there are rain forests, rivers, lakes, pastures, and hardly any human habitation. Indeed most of the vehicles on the road in the summer are fellow travellers. The drive is just short of 900Km and does not need to be rushed as there are many things to see and do along the way. There are a number of ways to break up the journey depending on how much time you have available, we did it over four days which I think is about the absolute minimum.

Day 1.      Nelson to Hokitika

Day 2.     Hokitika to Franz Josef

Day 3.     Franz Josef to Wanaka

Day 4.     Wanaka to Queenstown

The following photographs are in the order taken travelling down the coast.

Neudorf Vineyards

 

Established 40 years ago, Neudorf is one of the important wineries in the Nelson wine growing region. Never complacent about its position, Neudorf strives for continuous improvement in viticulture and the quality of wines it produces. It has been using organic practices since the 1980’s. Located in the Moutere Hills it has ideal conditions for growing grapes with warm and dry summer months and a low likelihood of damaging winter frosts.

The vintage begins in two weeks or so depending on the weather. Vines are netted to protect grapes from bird damage.

Neudorf Sauvignon Blanc 2017  Sauvignon Blanc is the variety for which New Zealand is best known in the UK. For me many are just a little too much but that is not the case with this lovely and drinkable Sauvignon from Neudorf. Twenty percent of grapes are barrel fermented which then gives some body and nice tropical fruit flavours to the wine. If Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is your choice but you tire of the high acidity in some examples, give this a try.

Neudorf Moutre Pinot Gris 2016 Aromas of tropical fruit, fresh flowers and a hint of citrus.Quite dry on the palate but with lovely balance and elegance. This is the sort of wine that I really like to drink.

Neudorf Rosie’s Block Chardonnay 2016 A wild yeast ferment in barrel of which 15% was new French oak followed by 10 months on the lees. This wine has aromas of tropical fruit, apricot and stone fruits. It is full flavoured with warming notes of vanilla and almond. A great example of New Zealand Chardonnay.

Tom’s Block Pinot Noir 2015 Another wild ferment wine, 100% French oak of which 22% was new. Light cherry red. Aromas of cherry and strawberry. Palate is red fruits, hint of spice, pepper. Tannins give a firmness which make this an excellent food wine. Very drinkable.

The wines of Neudorf are worthy of investigation. Have look at their website