Matahi Lodge, Luxury Accommodation in Katikati, Bay of Plenty, NZ
Trevor dug the cellar into the slope himself; the ceiling is fragrant Lawson cypress, insulated with cement and a layer of turf. Trevor proudly opens the double doors to invite you enjoy his treasure.
Trevor dug the cellar into the slope himself; the ceiling is fragrant Lawson cypress, insulated with cement and a layer of turf. Trevor proudly opens the double doors to invite you enjoy his treasure.
In their cellar, the vintage from last year matures in barrels. The walls are stacked with bottled wine. Trevor laughs as he tells the story of the early days with their first guests. They hadn’t started bottling, so accessing the vintage involved sucking on a plastic tube to siphon from the barrel to the carafe. The guests loved it; Trevor grins as he tells of performing this ritual several times for photo opportunities.
Kay recalls purchasing the Italian Press and their first little barrel as a milestone. The early vines are individually owned by friends and neighbours. A $10 deposit got you a plastic tag with your name on it. These same friends are engaged in the harvest and the enjoyment of the fruits of their labours.
Full of fun and humor, Trevor’s fire evacuation policy involves ensuring the guests are aware of the location of his collection of vintage wine. Leave your valuables and grab as many bottles as you can on the way out.
Kay and Trevor were given a forward push by Kay’s cousin John. Over a glass or two at The Junction Wines in central Hawkes Bay, John Ashworth, former All Black front row, enthused to his mate that forming a vineyard was the best decision he and Jo had ever made. Trevor came striaght home to draw up plans for a few vines.
Kay and Trevor were given a forward push by Kay’s cousin John. Over a glass or two at The Junction Wines in central Hawkes Bay, John Ashworth, former All Black front row, enthused to his mate that forming a vineyard was the best decision he and Jo had ever made. Trevor came striaght home to draw up plans for a few vines.
Kay is a keen golfer but Trevor loves the camera. They have a driving range to practice for the golf course next door. Trevor demonstrated his prowess with a hole in one for our cameras.
Trevor has developed a landing strip for light planes to accommodate his friends from his air traffic controller days and his Rugby Referee network.
Kay said they had never had a guest they didn’t enjoy, as we leave Trevor tells us to “come again, you don’t need a reason”.
Matahui Lodge, Luxury Accommodation in Katikati, Bay of Plenty, NZ
Trevor has developed a landing strip for light planes to accommodate his friends from his air traffic controller days and his Rugby Referee network.
Kay said they had never had a guest they didn’t enjoy, as we leave Trevor tells us to “come again, you don’t need a reason”.
Matahui Lodge, Luxury Accommodation in Katikati, Bay of Plenty, NZ
Kay tells us the grapes are looking absolutely fantastic now.
ReplyDeleteHuge big bunches hanging down, and all the nets are over to keep the birds off of course.
They are about 10 days away from harvesting and instead of doing it on a set day so that everybody can come pick on the weekend, this year they will wait until the grapes themselves are ready.
The new French-Oak Barrels are ready to be collected and filled...
...I wonder what will happen next.
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ReplyDeleteKay sent in a photo of the grapes.
Check out the facebook album to see pictures of last years harvest
hello... hapi blogging... have a nice day! just visiting here....
ReplyDelete