We began the day with waffles at our house for Michelle and Alex's parents, along with his six year old cousin. While Alex's mum walked into town his dad drove the rest of us in and we did some of the Nelson nerdery that was necessary.
If you aren't aware, Nelson is home to the jeweler who made the One Ring. Or was, until Jens passed away. His son, I understand, made the pieces for The Hobbit (negative five stars on the Jesse movie rating).
The we stopped off at the cathedral steps (where Alex took a not quite centered photo, but who other than OCD me is noticing?) before heading to the wonderful Nelson Saturday Market. I advise visitors not go after 10am. Actually - yes, you all go after 10am and I'll enjoy being able to walk easily and without badly behaved pedestrians before that.
We only picked up a bag of green beans, looked at some possum ponchos, tasted some of Schnapp Dragon distillery's whiskey, and fed the munchkin an ice cream before leaving. And then a brief trip to the grocery store before we started the real work of the day.
Milcrest was first. We had a great, informative tasting and then a wonderful platter of nibbles. A bottle of Riesling came home with us, a surprise drink that both Michelle and I liked a great deal.
Alex and I first found Milcrest at a market a few years ago. It was the first time I actually felt I learned as I drank. The owner, who was again our tour guide through the wine this time, is very down to earth and easy going and makes lovely wines. Award winning wines.
You can't get them at most supermarkets. Only the local one with a kick ass wine guy has managed to get stock in. After hounding the owner for months he said. Of course, for Alex and I, we can just drive a bit past his parents and pick up whatever we like. Spoiled, aren't we?
Second stop: Fossil Ridge.
While sampling five wines at Fossil Ridge, which were nice but didn't blow our socks off (though the setting did) we watched one of the cafe girls feed the pond ducks the day's leftover bread. One of the ducks continued to eat despite it being clear she was full. We were pretty sure she was going to sink soon.
Then, we made a last stop.
Richmond Plains and Te Mania - local, organic or on the way to it, and biodynamic. Yum. These two vineyards, handily, share a cellar door.
Alex, as you can see, was over hauling us around and not getting to drink. He went outside after I asked if he wanted to smell a wine I thought he'd like. Apparently that was mean of me.
Michelle and I were quite happy by that point, and the woman guiding us through the wines was a friendly Italian woman. So it took a while and we had a lot of fun and I understand his just getting away for a bit.
From this lovely, and large, selection (which we tried less than half of) we chose the Sauvignon Blanc and a Blanc de Noir to take home. D E L I C I O U S N E S S Can't wait to sit down and enjoy them!
After all that we got home around four and all took naps in the living room. Woke up a bit before six thirty (well, Alex did at least, Michelle and I were closer to seven) and started getting dinner prepped. Thought we had four people coming but only Dale and Nadia were able to make it.
Only Alex and I finished our Molten Chocolate Babycakes, I want to point out.
And nothing near all that meat was consumed.
Today: prepping for Abel Tasman Coastal Walk, visit to Nelson Lakes, and a birthday bbq for Alex's mum.
Looking at all the places you stop at on a 'Nelson trip' ... and comparing them to mine! I think you win for the ever-so-slightly more adult flavour :) LOL
Enjoy the lake. And the Abel Tasman. Will be watching for photos.
Posted by: JoanneF | Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 06:08 PM