KEY POINTS:
It seems almost every vineyard has some kind of concert happening in the vines over summer. The picturesque ones do have a certain ambience that is never captured by being indoors.
The rustle of the green leaves, the juicy, clustered, bright purple grapes, the rolling turf and smells of lavender, cut grass and honeysuckle. Life's good, and it can be the simplicity of what is around us that makes it so.
Dave Dobbyn can sound quite different in the sunny grounds of some vineyard estate rather than in the crowded confines of an airless, local pub. Not better, just different. In the same way strolling among the grapes with a glass of wine made from the vines you're walking through will have a distinctive taste that will not be emulated drinking that wine at home. If your summer meanderings include our major wine-growing regions you are likely to stumble across a growing tourism industry in New Zealand - the vineyard restaurant, cafe, bistro and tasting room.
For the most part they're done well. Gently manicured surroundings, attractive potager gardens, rustic but carefully crafted cellars and buildings, some outstanding examples of architectural minimalism - and the inevitable happy, uber-friendly vineyard dog. Some open for lunch and dinner, others just one or the other.
Standards are high and some of our best and brightest chefs have abandoned the madness of the city for a more relaxed rural culinary experience.
In your travels, watch out for the following: Northland's KariKari Estate, Matakana's Brick Bay, Waiheke Island's Stonyridge, Hawkes Bay's Clearview Estate and Martinborough's Margrain Vineyard.
If you are heading to the South Island, try Waipara (North Canterbury) Pegasus Bay, Nelson's Seifried Estate, Marlborough's Wairau River and Central Otago's Amisfield. There are, of course, many more. Quite a few are child-friendly, with play areas and kids' menus.
Recommended
2006 Alluviale
An astonishing quality red under $30. Hawkes Bay noteworthy Gimblett Gravels provides the grapes. Merlot 85 per cent, cabernet franc 15 per cent. Concentrated, spicy, heady, berry flavours with hints of tobacco characters. A sophisticated tipple.
Price: $27
2008 Ata Rangi Lismore pinot gris
From the legendary Martinborough pinot producer comes a vibrant, fruit-driven, delicious white wine. Pear, florals, jasmine, lemongrass and toasted almonds. Elegant, quietly restrained.
Price: $28
