New Zealand - First trip here

Wow! I am finally going to New Zealand. Always wanted to visit this country and here I am!

8 Oct - Flew on Singapore Airlines that departed from Terminal 3. Flight from Singapore to Auckland took about 9 hours. Was surprised to see pork and beef being served on the airline... and it was surprisingly tasty. Arrived in Auckland around 11.00pm. Where is the shuttle that is suppose to bring me to Centra? Stayed at Centra, the airport hotel, because my flight to Wellington was leaving tomorrow afternoon. Didn't want to travel all the way to Auckland city just for one night.

When I arrived at Centra, the wind and rain picked up intensity. Phew, arrived at the hotel just in time. Centra is a simple, no-frills airport hotel. Clean and basic. It is fine for a night's rest.

Rows and rows of Gewurztraminer grape vines

9 Oct - Oh dear, flight is in the afternoon and I do not have to be in the airport until 2.00pm. What to do? Oh, why not visit a vineyard? I have tried Villa Maria wines in Singapore. Would be interesting to visit the vineyard that produces such good wines. The Villa Maria Estate is 5 minutes' drive from the hotel. The porter said it would cost about NZD5 by taxi but when I arrived at the estate, the taxi driver charged NZD17 (as expensive as the bottle of Gewurztraminer I bought)! Did he just con me? Well, he had no qualms about giving me a receipt. Maybe surcharge for advanced booking?

White wine fermenting in steel tank kept cold by liquid nitrogen

Villa Maria conducts daily tours that show the wine making process for NZD5/person. Some of the places are cold. So, do wear a jacket to keep warm.

Red wine stored in oak barrels from France

Our tour guide told us the size of this family-owned estate is about 10 hectares and the grape variety planted here is Gewurztraminer. George Fistonich, the owner of Villa Maria, owns other vineyards around New Zealand but this one in Auckland is the headquarters.

Info about this estate

What does one do after understanding the wine process? Taste the wine! Visitors have several wine tasting option. I opted for the premium wine tasting that cost NZD20 for 6 tastings of different collections.

Tasting 6 different types of wine

Pinot Noir Reserve, Syrah/Voignier Cellar Collection, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon Private Bin

My notes (an amateur wine enthusiast):
Pinot Noir Reserve: Earthy - early morning smell of the forest, woody
Syrah/Voignier Cellar Collection: Mild spiciness balanced with earthy tone
Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon: Medium bodied with a hint of raspberries

Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Pinot Gris Private Bin, Gewurztraminer Cellar Collection

Sauvignon Blanc Reserve: Very ripe strawberries on the nose, fruity on the palate - strawberries, peach
Pinot Gris Private Bin: Balance, a good mixture of fruity (ripe red apples) and earthy tones
Gewurztraminer Cellar Collection: Floral - elderflower

After tasting some wine and buying a bottle of Cellar Collection Gewurztraminer, I took a slow stroll back to the hotel, which took less than 1/2 hour.